After months on the campaign trail, Joyce Brasington, Mike Schweig, Mark Stepek and Kim Shumaker got the nod as the people’s choice for Oxford School Board.
Because Oxford school district includes Metamora, Hadley and Dryden townships votes were also accumulated from precincts in those areas, however, no votes were cast in Hadley Township.
The top vote-getter was Joyce Brasington with 3,060 votes.
‘It worked out really well,? Brasington said. ‘You never can believe it until you see the numbers come in.?
‘I am so excited to be on the board and represent this community,? she added. ‘I will continue to earn your trust and will act in the best interest of the students and residents of Oxford.?
Schweig earned 2,881 votes.
‘It’s a great opportunity and I think the time is right,? Schweig said. ‘I’m looking forward to the challenges and opportunities that are out there for our school district.?
He noted that he is going to continue to work on addressing morale in the district.
‘My number one goal starting soon is to talk to people in the schools, students, staff, secretaries, teachers, administrators and find out what is going well from their perspective and areas where they feel we need to improve,? he added. ‘I want to hit the road running in January, so I am trying to get out there now in the time that exists in between.?
After he garnered 2,553 votes and secured a board seat, Stepek accepted his invitation to the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB) Annual Leadership Conference this past weekend in Grand Rapids, where he said he was learning how ‘to be an awesome school board member.?
‘I’m looking forward to it. I think we have some challenges ahead that we’re going to have to try and get through,? Stepek noted. ‘With some of the people who won (the election), we might have some difficulty, but we’re going to have to work together.?
Shumaker said she is very appreciative of the 2,215 votes she received and all the people who supported her campaign.
‘I’m really honored the public decided to re-elect me,? Shumaker said. ‘That’s not always an easy thing to do, especially when you have controversial issues in your community.?
‘I think the election offered the community nine candidates who all shared some similar concerns and I think that’s unusual,? she continued. ‘During the months leading (up) to the election, a lot of the community’s concerns were heard and now that they’ve chosen four people to represent them, it’s our responsibility (to ensure) that the vision of Oxford Community Schools is also the vision of the Oxford Community.?
As a current board member, Shumaker wanted to send her ‘welcome to the board? to Brasington, Schweig and Stepek.
The remaining candidates in order of votes received included Paula Foster, Pamela Phelps, Noah Stevens, Amy Hamilton and Angela Mitchell.
Foster described the loss as ‘all good.?
‘I couldn’t be more proud of myself or my team. I think I ran an absolutely fantastic campaign. I think I raised the bar for the standard that this community deserves,? she said. ‘I don’t take losses as a loss. It’s a learning experience, just like winning doesn’t make you a winner.?
Foster also noted that she will still be seen in the crowd at school board meetings, but if ‘malarkey? is happening she can leave.
‘I’m not going to listen to people for four hours scream at each other and get nothing accomplished,? she said. ‘I now have the liberty to get up and go.?
Phelps is thankful to all the folks who voted for her.
‘I ask the community to continue (to show) support for Oxford Schools ,? she said. ‘I also wish to thank (Superintendent) Dr. (William) Skilling and all that have served on the school board for taking us on this wonderful journey toward excellence.?
Like Foster, Stevens plans to continue attending school board meetings and public forums. He has not at this time committed to whether or not he would run for the board again in the future.
‘Even though the election did not go my way, I am happy for all the candidates. I think everyone did a great job and I only hope great things for the future board. I did learn so much and am so grateful for the experience,? Stevens said. ‘I thank Oxford for the chance to be able to represent Oxford Schools and I know it would have even been a greater privilege to be able to serve on the board.?
Hamilton had no comment.
Mitchell said she was ‘comfortable? with how the vote turned out.
Mitchell will finish out her remaining interim seat to which she was appointed in May after Bill Keenist resigned from his position.
‘I don’t regret being appointed. It was a great experience for me and I think how the election turned out is good, too,? Mitchell said. ‘I am anxious to see the new board and some of the changes they’re able to implement. I think it will be good.?
The new board members will take their seats in January.