Three chosen for school board seats

RANDOLPH – Voters selected three individuals to serve on Randolph’s school board from a slate of six candidates. Chris Winkelbauer and Anson Dockhorn will be filling seats vacated by longtime board members Jim Scott and Lisa Linville, while Backer retains his seat for another term.

Votes coming in from Cedar, Pierce and Wayne counties tallied up 643 votes for Backer, 514 for Winkelbauer, and 418 for Dockhorn.

Also vying for spots on the board, Marvin Nordhues gathered 388 votes, Tiffany Gatzemeyer, 336 votes, and Corby Robinson 326.

Backer was up late Election Night to receive the re-election news and was grateful for school district patrons’ vote of confidence.

Being an incumbent has its advantages as voters are already aware of his track record while in office, he said.

“They know I’m not afraid to stand alone in certain situations,” he said.

Gatzemeyer wished a congratulations to the school board’s newly elected members but was naturally disheartened about an unsuccessful campaign.

“I am going to choose to focus on the lessons learned and the relationships that I’ve built. I encourage the community to stay engaged in voicing ideas and concerns. Together we can drive positive change in our school,” she said. “As for running again? It isn’t in my blood to give up, you’ll see me return to the arena.”

Nordhues said he won’t be seeking a school board seat again after trying twice and losing both times.

“The people have spoken and I respect that,” he said. “You’ve got some good guys on there and I’m happy with the way it turned out.”

The new board has a lot of work ahead with the rejection of the school bond issue, he said.

“There’s got to be a lot of disappointment with them but for me, I’m relieved it did not pass,” Nordhues said. “I do think there’s more work to do.”