ABOVE: From left to right are newly-elected school board candidates Carol Cook, Channa Tastsides, Brian Anderson and Brenda Nessel

By Kelli Baxter
There were two things that maybe would cast a raised eyebrow about Tuesday’s otherwise ordinary Rush City School Board election Tuesday.

No. 1: It took a bit longer for results to be delivered this year, as the current school board sat in its canvassing meeting, an hour past the 8 p.m. poll close, wondering about write-ins. 

No. 2: It turned out the newly-elected members were already on the ballot.

Supt. Vern Koepp said in past years write-in candidates have ended up garnering the most votes. Current board members Scott Friday and Stefanie Folkema were write-ins.

But this year the results were almost expected.

There were three four-year term seats open and three candidates left on the ballot. (Julie Gilbert also was on the ballot but had previously withdrawn from the race.)

Incumbent board member Carol Cook received 121 votes, Channa Tastsides received 117 votes and incumbent Brian Anderson received 106 votes. Gilbert received 89 votes.

The only run-off was for the open two-year term seat. Brenda Nessel was elected to the position with 122 votes. Wayne Buisman received 34 votes.

There were 167 voters who cast their ballots out of 3,190 registered voters in the school district and 6 new voters.

Koepp said he is looking forward to working with the new school board in 2010.

“It’s always a new adventure ... New blood, new ideas,” he said.

New board member Tastsides, who at the meeting for the results said the nerves have turned to excitement.

“I was nervous, even though Julie withdrew. And I’m still new in town,” she said. “But I’m looking forward to it.”

The results of the school board election in Rush City are as follows:

Voter turnout: 167  (3,190 registered voters in the district, 6 new voters)

Four-year term (3 seats open) 

Carol Cook - 121 votes

Channa Tastsides - 117 votes 

Brian Anderson - 106 votes

Julia Gilbert - 89 votes (She had previously withdrawn from the election)

Two-year term (1 seat open) 

 Brenda Nessel - 122 votes

Wayne Buisman - 34 votes 

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