MOUNT VERNON — With 20 candidates competing for 10 open seats across the Knox County Educational Service Center (ESC) and the Danville and East Knox Boards of Education, the contested races were bound to get interesting on Election Day.
The Knox County Board of Elections has released its final unofficial results for each of the races, giving answers to who will fill the open seats.
A total of five seats were open on the ESC’s board, split between two races.
Four write-in candidates ran for three open board positions with a term commencing on Jan. 1, 2026. Kenneth Boeshart — 371 votes (26.31 percent), Vicki Bechtel — 362 votes (25.67 percent) and Thomas Groshong — 262 votes (18.58 percent) won those seats.
“I’m just very grateful to all those people who did come out and support not only me, but Vicki Bechtel as well,” Boeshart said. “And congratulations to the new fella from Fredericktown, Thomas Groshong.
“We just all work together trying to make sure that things are out there for the kids to learn and help the ones that have problems,” Bechtel said.
“I appreciate all the votes. I’ve been on the board for 15, 20 years; so, I don’t know what I’d do with all my time if I weren’t on the board.”
Knox Pages attempted to reach Groshong for comment, but was unable to find a proper way to contact him after talking with the ESC and Knox County Board of Elections.
Unexpired term race for Knox County ESC board
Two write-in candidates ran unopposed for the other two ESC board positions. This race was separate because these positions have an unexpired term set to end Dec. 31, 2027.
Bruce Gregg received 322 votes (41.87 percent) and Laurie Gallwitz received 292 votes (37.97 percent). It is worth noting that 155 other write-in votes (20.16 percent) were deemed invalid.
“Even though I was a write-in, I was thankful to get as many votes as I did, and I hope that I do a good job and meet their expectations,” Gregg said.
“Hopefully, we’ll keep making the county a better place to live through better education.”
Knox Pages also reached out to Gallwitz, but did not hear back at the time of publication.
East Knox results
Three seats were open on East Knox’s board and Randy Reese, Melissa Tomlinson and Joshua Beltz each won a seat.
Reese received 859 votes (24.91 percent), Tomlinson received 739 votes (21.43 percent) and Beltz received 680 votes (19.72 percent).
“I’m incredibly grateful for the support and trust from our community. Serving on the East Knox School Board is an honor, and I’m excited to get to work for our students, staff and families,” Tomlinson said.
“I look forward to listening, learning and working collaboratively with my fellow board members to strengthen academics and support a positive culture across our district.”
“Thank you to everyone who got out to vote for our school board candidates this year. I’m really excited to help grow our district and our community,” Beltz said.
Knox Pages attempted to reach Reese, but did not hear back from him at the time of publication.
Danville results
Two seats were open on Danville’s board. Incumbent Paul Stover was re-elected to one seat, and David Dusthimer won the other.
Stover received 357 votes (33.55 percent) and Dusthimer received 322 votes (30.26 percent).
“I’m thankful for all the voters who continue to put their confidence and trust in me as a board member at Danville Local Schools,” Stover said.
Stover looks forward to continuing the positive graduation rate trend in Danville as well as supporting staff members at all levels, other board members and district stakeholders.
“I believe the voters have made it clear that our district is moving in a positive direction and they gave their stamp of approval without reservation,” Stover said.
Stover also congratulated Dusthimer on returning to the board.
Dusthimer said he is eager to continue the current board’s “dramatic improvement” and to reacclimate himself to the board.
“Overall, I’m just happy to go back in and serve the community and the kids,” Dusthimer noted.