Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
All three Warsaw school board incumbents who ran for re-election lost their positions in yesterday's election.
Joel Scrafton, incumbent in District 2, lost to newcomer Cathy Folk by a vote of 397 to 631.
And Brad Brail beat current board member George Klinger by 16 votes - 650 to 634 - in District 1.
But the closest race was in District 7, between former board member Roy Szymanski and incumbent board president Gordon Vanator, with Szymanski winning by three votes - 439 to 436.
Szymanski, who previously served one term on the school board and lost a previous board election to Vanator, said today he thought he had lost the election until the results of the last precinct were announced.
"I'll do a good job," he said. "I'll work real hard at it, I'll do my best and I'll be fair."
He said he has confidence in the current administration and wants to maintain the integrity of what the board has started, watch closely the drug testing program and keep the tax rate low.
Brail said, "I'm pleased with the outcome and looking forward to the years ahead."
His priorities, he said, are a continued commitment to neighborhood elementary schools, improving the way technology is integrated into the classroom, and making sure schools are safe.
Folk was unavailable for comment today.
Larry Chamberlain, the only candidate for District 5, received 814 votes.
In Syracuse, the Wawasee School Corp. will see three incumbents returning to the board of school trustees.
Brian Dawes won over his District 1 challenger, Bruce Cavell. Dawes received 2,177 votes compared to Cavell's 1,502 votes.
"I want to thank the voters," Dawes said. "This was my first (campaign race). Honestly, it wasn't that bad. I was glad to serve in the last 12 months."
Dawes said he believes the board members were re-elected because the members listened to the community on what they wanted. He said he wasn't sure how the facilities project affected the votes, but said he thought the community believes the board is on the right path.
Carol Swartzendruber ran unopposed for the District 2 seat. She received 3,557 votes, or 31.40 percent.
Incumbent District 3 board member Marion Acton won over his opponent, Robert Jones. Acton received 2,467 votes, or 21.78 percent. Jones received 1,625 votes, or 14.34 percent.
Acton was unavailable for comment but his wife, Carmen, said, "He's very happy, very pleased. He wanted to continue on. He didn't campaign as hard as he did last time, but he put his signs out."
