Three newcomers and one incumbent will join the Bayfield school board as a result of Tuesday’s election.
Mike Foutz, the only incumbent candidate, and newcomers Amy Davlin and Debbie Wilhelm, will begin four-year terms. Mary Lynne Herr took the seat for a two-year term.
Foutz had 1,811 votes, or about 29%; Davlin had 1,578 votes, or about 26%; and Wilhelm had 1,524 votes, or about 25%. Richard Gustafson trailed with 1,235 votes, or 20%. A total of 6,148 votes had been counted.
“This is up to the public,” Foutz said. “I hope they have confidence in me.”
For the two-year seat, Herr had 1,244 votes, or about 52%, while Matthew Zabka had 1,129 votes, or 48%. The total vote count was 2,373.
“I’m very honored to all the people ... that have confidence that I can contribute something valuable to the school district,” Herr said.
The school board was close to a near-complete turnover with four out of five seats open. The new and returning board members will join Daniele Hillyer, whose term ends in 2021.
While three members are new, Herr said each incoming board member has experience that will help the board through the transition.
The school board decides policies and oversees the budget for the district. The next board will continue the district’s strategic plan development, grow the Pueblo Community College site in Bayfield and build the Bayfield Education Center.
During the campaign period, candidates tackled a variety of hard-hitting issues, promoting student achievement and academic growth, social-emotional learning in classrooms, mental health programs, school safety and nondiscrimination policies.
“Certainly, the next steps are determining officers,” Herr said, adding that tackling community issues, especially the nondiscrimination policy, would be another top priority.
smullane@durangoherald.com
