Brandon School Board incumbents Christopher D. Yuchasz, 45, of Ortonville, an Oakland County Sheriff’s Sergeant and Holly resident, Karyn Milligan, 55, co-owner of Northwest Heating and Cooling Co. in Ortonville won reelection for a second four year term. Milligan received 286 votes and Yuchasz took 309 votes. Challengers D’Anna Keeble, a local business owner and former substitute teacher received 206 votes. William Conley, the Oakland County Truancy Officer and Brandon Township resident received 125 votes.
Voter turnout nearly doubled in the Brandon School District with 463 votes cast, up from 262 in 2003.
First time candidate D’Anna Keeble was disappointed by the loss yet encouraged by the strong voter turnout.
‘It’s nice to see so many people voted and wanted a change on the board,? said Keeble, who missed election by 80 votes. ‘A lot of people helped in my campaign and although it’s too early, I may consider running again next year.?
Karyn Milligan, who received the second greatest number of votes was shocked she won the election. ‘There were three very good candidates out there who would have made great trustees,? said Milligan. ‘I just feel my work is not done here.? Finding a new superintendent and keeping the district financially sound will be the greatest tasks facing the school board next year said Milligan.
‘I’m not done with the Oakland Schools either,’added Milligan. ‘The OSMTech story is not over, a lot of good people are working to keep that program going.?
Certification of election results for the Goodrich School District lagged behind other Genesee County districts due to use of a paper system, said Genesee County Director of Elections Rob Coffman, who is looking forward to next year’s more unified election system.
Voters in Goodrich School District selected incumbent Michael Tripp with 246 votes over challenger Kathy Smith, who received 154 votes for the one-year seat in this month’s school board election.
‘Obviously I’m very happy.The people entrusted me with another year,? said Tripp, who plans to try to live up to the confidence voters placed in him.
For the Goodrich board four-year seats, district residents voted in newcomer James Bertrand with 284 votes, along with incumbent Gary Foltz, who received 208 votes. Challenger Nick Onica received 134 votes. Write-in challenger Jake Custer, who served as a student representative to the board of education the past two years, received 144 votes.
‘That’s a fair number for a write-in,? said Genesee County Director of Elections Rob Coffman. ‘Very seldom do write-ins win.?
‘Not being on the ballot was definitely a disadvantage,? said Custer, who is considering running again next year . ‘But even though I didn’t win, it was a good experience.?