With just under 20 percent coming out to vote, Lake Orion residents took to the polls on Tuesday.
Elected to school board were incumbent Bob Gritzinger and newcomer Tiffany Weber-Phillips. They will both serve four-year terms.
Gritzinger garnered the most votes in the close race with 2,259 (or 35 percent), with Weber-Phillips trailing behind him with 2,213 (34 percent).
‘I’m very excited,? said Weber-Phillips. ‘I’m excited to get the opportunity to work with the board and be able to be a part of a decision process.?
‘Thank you for everybody’s support,? she added. ‘I love being a part of this community and I’m excited to start learning now what I am going to be doing for the next four years.?
Gritzinger’s reelection marks what will be his third term on the school board. He believes that his experience will help when making tough budget decisions.
Those voting for me, he said, seem to be voting for some stability in some unstable times in public education.
He believes the new board will be facing two tough issues. First, the continuing financial issues and second, the loss of leadership from retiring board president Leeann Bartley.
‘We, as a board, are going to have to address filling the leadership vacuum with Leeann Bartley’s retirement,? Gritzinger said. ‘We are going to have to get together and see how we are going to fill those shoes.?
‘I’m really overwhelmed by the support that came to be from across the community,? he added. ‘I am happy to be back and happy that they (the community) supported me.?
Newcomer Kelly Roy captured 1,927 (or 30 percent) of the votes.
New terms will start at the beginning of July.