Six candidates are moving on in the USD 383 school board race following the first primary in over a quarter century.
Christine Weixelman, a former Northview Elementary nurse received more votes than any other candidate, with 2,425. Local business owner Betty Mattingly-Ebert finished in second place with 2,270 votes and former Manhattan city commissioner and Thrive! Flint Hills executive director Jayme Morris-Hardeman wasn’t far behind in third place with 2,222 votes. The lone incumbent, Karla Hagemeister finished fourth in voting with Steven Ruzzin and Teresa Parks rounding out the top six in the field.
Tuesday’s results don’t factor in mail in ballots, which will continue to be counted by the Clerk’s offices through 5 p.m. Friday.
As it sets up, though officially a nonpartisan race, the general election will feature three candidates supported heavily in the primary by the Riley County Republicans in Mattingly-Ebert, Ruzzin and Weixelman. It also features three candidates supported heavily by the Riley County Democrats in Hagemeister, Morris-Hardeman and Parks. Social issues dominated campaigning, which included sharply different opinions on Culturally Responsive Teaching and Learning training.
Three seats are up for grabs on the school board. Two are being vacated by current school board members Jurdene Coleman and Katrina Lewison, who both opted not to seek re-election.
The general election is scheduled for Nov. 2. The deadline to register for the election is Oct. 12, with advance voting in person and by mail to begin Oct. 13.
Unofficial final results: (47 of 47 precincts reporting) from Riley and Pottawatomie counties
