The Blair Community Schools Board of Education will welcome a familiar face to the board following Tuesday's election.
Ginger Fredericksen returns to the board after winning as a write-in candidate with just two votes. She was previously elected to the board in 2014. But after serving one term, she was not re-elected in 2018.
Washington County Clerk Barb Sullivan, who also serves as the election commissioner, said, according to state statute, Fredericksen wins the seat as she was the only person to file an affidavit for that race.
“I look forward to returning to the Blair School Board in January,” Fredericksen said. “I hope I can bring fresh ideas and complement the current board skills. I have missed the collaborative nature of the school board team and expect that the team can continue to move forward with the same momentum.
“As a board member, I would like to be a voice for students, teachers, parents and taxpayers of the Blair community school district while being fiscally responsible,” she added.
Four incumbents — Brandi Petersen (4,602 votes), Kari Loseke (4,486), Denise Ray (4,322) and Deb Parks (4,032) — all retained their seats.
A fifth candidate had not filed for the seat after longtime board member Lyle Schjodt declined to seek re-election. Schjodt died in June. Amy Hansen was appointed to serve the remainder of Schjodt's term.
“I will not be able to replace the wisdom, kindness and gentle leadership that Lyle Schjodt provided to the board,” Fredericksen said. “He was very instrumental in moving the board in the right direction.”
