Editor’s Note: This article was updated to include comment from candidate Donald Falk, who was unable to be reached by the time of publication.
FREDERICKTOWN — Nathan Bellman, Donald Falk and Paul Napier beat their other four opponents, including two incumbents, to secure seats on Fredericktown’s next school board, according to unofficial Knox County election results Tuesday.
Bellman, former athletic director at Fredericktown schools, secured the most votes with 895.
“I am extremely grateful to the people of Fredericktown for electing me to the school board,” Bellman wrote to Knox Pages Tuesday. “I am excited about this opportunity and look forward to serving our students, staff, and the Fredericktown community.
“I look forward to working with the school board members, Superintendent, and Treasurer to do what’s best for Fredericktown Local Schools.”
Napier, who secured the second-most votes with 666, has previous experience as technology coordinator at Knox County Career Center.
“I’m grateful to all the voters in Fredericktown that took the time to vote today,” Napier wrote to Knox Pages Tuesday. “This community is highly invested in the success of our school district and their voices have been heard. As I’ve said from the beginning, I am eager and willing to serve Fredericktown as a representative on the Board of Education.
“The efforts made by our community to make an informed decision about each candidate is commendable. I’m counting on you to communicate your questions and concerns as I serve my first term. Go Freddies!”
Falk, who previously taught junior high math and coached at Fredericktown, received 593 votes, securing him a seat on the board by slim margins.
The remaining candidates each had vote totals in the 500s: Jim Blanchard with 548, Jennifer Bostic with 518, Stan Miller with 542, and Charles Streby with 548. Two candidates — Charles Streby and Jim Blanchard — were incumbents, both having served upwards of a decade on the school board thus far.
Danville
Knox County’s other contested school board race, Danville, saw the incumbents beat the lone new candidate.
Charles Bratton, who has served more than 15 years on the board, and Paul Stover, who has served for six years thus far, will continue to sit on Danville’s board.
Stover secured the most votes with 308, while Bratton secured 272 votes. Dawna Stephens did not end far behind, with 263 votes.
Stover shared with Knox Pages Tuesday his thankfulness to voters for supporting his re-election campaign.
“To be clear, I am committed to making continuous improvements in all areas of the district, from safety of your children to improved learning and academics, and onward to athletics,” Stover wrote to Knox Pages Tuesday. “In addition I will work to ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and on projects that improve the overall assets of Danville Local Schools.
“Again thank you for your support and I look forward to working closely with all stakeholders as we move forward.”
Bratton could not be reached for comment by the time of publication Tuesday.
The remaining school board races in Knox County were uncontested.
Mount Vernon City Schools
Mary Rugola-Dye received a total of 2,201 votes.
Jeffrey Kent Ward received a total of 2,491 votes.
East Knox Local Schools
Larry Campbell received a total of 782 votes.
Randy Reese received a total of 814 votes.
Matthew Schwartz received a total of 794 votes.
Centerburg Local Schools
Roger Clark received a total of 583 votes.
Joshua Ethan Jackson received a total of 535 votes.
Kris Weldy received a total of 556 votes.
