WARSAW — Several local school board elections were contested in the 2018 Mid-term elections, while many seats were available unopposed. In South Whitley, Whitko School Corporation Board President Jorell Tucker was defeated by challenger Scott Werstler.

In Akron, the Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation’s board of school trustees will have several new faces beginning next year with Lacey Wise winning a seat unopposed in District 3 with 1,715 votes. Thomas Bauters defeated Kristopher Fear in District 4 with 1,175 votes to 680. Incumbent Todd Hoffman will return to the board after capturing a majority vote, 1,148-837 over challenge Craig Durkes.

“It is with great appreciation that I would like to thank the entire Tippecanoe Valley family for their support in electing me the next District 4, Henry Township, Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation board member,” said Bauters after the election. “I will do my best to govern with the same Valley pride that Mr. Bryan Murphy has demonstrated the past 16 years, and will work collaboratively with Superintendent Blaine Conley, and the other members of the Tippecanoe Valley School Board in equipping all students to be outstanding today, tomorrow and beyond.”

The Warsaw Community Schools board of trustees race featured a contest election in District 1 with Michael Coon defeating fellow challengers Wendy Fairchild and Keith Manuel. The three sought a seat vacated by Matt Dick, who chose not seek re-election. Coon won 926 votes to Fairchild’s 486 and Manuel’s 271. Other WCS seats were won by incumbents Heather Reichenbach, Jeremy Mullins and first-time candidate Brad Johnson, who won in Districts 2 (1,707 votes), 5 (1,478 votes) and 7 (1,756 votes) respectively.

“Two other very qualified and equally passionate individuals ran for the District 1 WCS school board position,” said Coon after the election. “I am excited to dig in quickly to serve the community, and especially the students and school staff.”

In other school board races:

Triton School Corporation — District 1, Teresa Barnhart (303 votes); District 2, Steven Stichter over Andrew Cook (180-157); District 4, Kenneth Miller (304 votes).

Wa-Nee Commuity of Schools — Harrison Township, Terry L. Graber (278 votes); Locke Township, Curt Flickinger (275 votes); Union Township (Louis Bonacorsi (287 votes).

Wawasee Community School Corporation — District 1, Robert Fisher (4,943 votes); District 2, Mary Lou Dixon (2,132 votes), William Cripe (2,006 votes), Steven Baut (1,583 votes); District 3, Rebecca Linnemeier (5,041 votes).

Whitko Community School Corporation — District 4, Bill Patrick (2,001 votes), Richard Thomas (1,281 votes); District 5, Scott Werstler (1,622 votes), Annette J. Arnold (1,238 votes), Dale Anthony Starkey (235 votes), Jorell T. Tucker (199 votes).