GREENFIELD – Two incumbents defeated two challengers seeking a spot on the Greenfield-Central school board in Tuesday’s election.
Board president Dan Brown defeated challenger Laurene Lonnemann with 58.5% of the vote for the at-large seat in District 5, while Lori Wean defeated challenger Will Erwin IV with 58.6% of the vote in District 4.
Brown came away with 3,433 votes to Lonnemann’s 2,433.
Wean netted 3,362 votes to Erwin’s 2,372.
Hillary Close ran uncontested to retain her seat in District 1.
Both Wean and Brown said they look forward to continuing the work they’ve been doing on the school board.
“I’m just excited to be able to continue working to make the Greenfield Central schools the best they can be for our students,” said Wean, who was previously appointed to her seat to fulfill a term after a previous board member passed away.
“I think it’s all about keeping the students first and foremost, and doing what’s best for them, so I am committed to being able to continue that work,” she said.
Brown looks forward to serving his third term.
“Being on the Greenfield Central board has been so rewarding these last eight years. We have accomplished so much, and I’m looking forward to completing the projects in the works now,” he said, expressing thanks for his supporters.
“I will continue to always put the kids, teachers and administration first,” he said.
Erwin also thanked his supporters, but expressed disappointment that voters elected not to bring someone new to the board.
“It’s unfortunate. I was hoping to see some change compared to just the same incumbents being in place, but it doesn’t mean I’m going to change my efforts for the school system. I still think there’s work to be done moving forward,” he said.
While he said it’s too premature to decide if he’ll run again, the local youth soccer coach said he would like to explore ways to continue supporting the district.
“I think our children’s education is one of the most important factors of good future citizenship,” he said.
Lonnemann also expressed a desire to continue serving the school district, despite not winning her first run for a school board seat. She serves as a Read Up volunteer at Harris Elementary, is helping to revive the parent-teacher association at Greenfield Intermediate School and served on its math curriculum review committee last year.
She said she’d likely run for school board again in four years, “but in the meantime I’ll continue to volunteer and give my time and talents and treasures where I can.”
