NORTHWESTERN  LEHIGH  ELECTION  RESULTS

In the only contested race for school board, Republican Charlene Rauscher prevailed over Gregory Laub,  listed on the Democratic side, 1757 to 1345.

 

Winning the other four seats was the Teachers Union endorsed slate of  Dellicker, Fatzinger, Leiser and Casciano. Their victory was pretty much determined in the May primary, by winning on both sides of  the ballot.

 

The new board will be made up of the hold over members,  Willard Dellicker, Paul Fisher, Todd Hernandez, Darryl Schafer and Phil Toll, plus newcomers John Casciano, Joseph Fatzinger, Todd Leiser and Charlene Rauscher.

 

They are replacing outgoing directors Ron Morrison, Joseph Reiter, Greg Sanders and Leroy Sorenson. While sometimes controversial these members along with the holdover members were responsible for having 4 years of no tax increases, no teacher layoffs, paying down debt, and having a budget surplus every year.  While not pleasing everyone, they can be proud of the fiscal responsibility that they showed is possible.  

 

Some are concerned that the new board members, who were strongly supported by the teachers union and sports enthusiast's, will be faced with a long list of  demands.

 

Hopefully we will not return to Spending, borrowing, and annual tax increases that were the policy of the board replaced in 2011.

 

Being a school director is an unpaid job, that required lots of meetings, learning about the issues and long term decision making. If done in a conscientious way it is very time consuming. Anyone who is willing to take the job is to be commended. While the student's and education are the number one priority. The interest of the employees and the taxpayers must be balanced. Sometimes this is a thankless and frustrating job. 

 

The community should support and encourage the new and holdover directors. They should be given a chance to see how they will serve the whole community.