Rushford-Peterson School Board will see at least three new faces beginning January. While many districts saw far more than the number of candidates running for positions on their various boards, R-P ballots had only one name for four positions. After the candidacy deadline to be on ballots ran out, at least five additional candidates ran write-in campaigns. With write-ins totals not released by Fillmore County until November 12, the community waited to hear results until a special meeting held November 13.
The district totals came from 13 townships – Amherst, Arendahl, Holt, Norway, Pilot Mound, Prebble, Black Hammer, Money Creek, Yucatan, Fremont, Hart, Saratoga, and Wiscoy – and three cities – Rushford, Rushford Village, and Peterson. Total number of people voting was 4,506.
The four positions up for grabs were those currently held by Chris Grindland, Val Howe, John Linder, and Bonnie Prinsen. Receiving the highest votes was Ken Sawle, the lone ballot candidate, with 1,685. 1,828 votes were cast for write-in candidates. Those earning the highest number of write-in votes were Amy Woxland (390), Matt Helgemoe (333), current Board Director Chris Grindland (283), Bev Helleland (270), and Mike Osterbauer (230).
Sawle, Woxland, and Helgemoe will join Grindland, Joyce Iverson, Kathy Wade, and Jeff Michel on the board.
