|
|
|
Jeff Coleman was in shock when he heard the results of the Grain Valley Board of Education election.
“I am surprised to be honest,” he said. “Both Anthony (Alexander) and Kevin (Quinn) are more well known in the community. But this is really cool. I am excited.”
Coleman joins incumbents Jan Reding and Phil Hutchinson in winning the three open seats on the board in Tuesday’s election. Reding received 610 votes (24.54 percent), Hutchinson received 519 votes (20.88 percent) and Coleman received 487 votes (19.59 percent). Alexander came in fourth place with 458 votes (18.42 percent), and Quinn came in fifth with 385 votes (15.49 percent). There were 27 write-in votes, representing 1.08 percent. Results are unofficial.
Reding said she is happy to have the opportunity to serve on the board for another term. She said she wants to work more with the district’s foundation and help students who might be “falling through the cracks.”
“This is wonderful,” said Reding, who has been serving on the board for 12 years. “I love kids, and the thought of not being able to serve them was heartbreaking. I wanted to run simply because I want to do all I can for the education of our kids. That is important to me.”
Hutchinson said he has mixed feelings about being re-elected. While on the one hand he is happy to have the experience again, he said he knows the next three years are going to be hard financially.
“I am overjoyed. It looks like the people like what we have been doing,” he said. “But I know it is going to be a tough three years. I think my experience will mean a lot to the district. This is part of my life, and I wanted to continue serving my community.”
Coleman, who is a financial adviser for Waddell and Reed, said he wanted to become more involved in the school district where he has six children attending school. He said he believes the biggest challenges over the next few years will be directly tied to growth and financial issues.
“We have tremendous growth in the primary grades and at the middle schools. We will need to keep up with that and make our facilities acceptable,” he said. “I think my job over the next few months will be getting to know the other board members and finding out how I fit in. I want to see what I can bring to the table, and how I can best help.”
Jeff Coleman was in shock when he heard the results of the Grain Valley Board of Education election.
“I am surprised to be honest,” he said. “Both Anthony (Alexander) and Kevin (Quinn) are more well known in the community. But this is really cool. I am excited.”
Coleman joins incumbents Jan Reding and Phil Hutchinson in winning the three open seats on the board in Tuesday’s election. Reding received 610 votes (24.54 percent), Hutchinson received 519 votes (20.88 percent) and Coleman received 487 votes (19.59 percent). Alexander came in fourth place with 458 votes (18.42 percent), and Quinn came in fifth with 385 votes (15.49 percent). There were 27 write-in votes, representing 1.08 percent. Results are unofficial.
Reding said she is happy to have the opportunity to serve on the board for another term. She said she wants to work more with the district’s foundation and help students who might be “falling through the cracks.”
“This is wonderful,” said Reding, who has been serving on the board for 12 years. “I love kids, and the thought of not being able to serve them was heartbreaking. I wanted to run simply because I want to do all I can for the education of our kids. That is important to me.”
Hutchinson said he has mixed feelings about being re-elected. While on the one hand he is happy to have the experience again, he said he knows the next three years are going to be hard financially.
“I am overjoyed. It looks like the people like what we have been doing,” he said. “But I know it is going to be a tough three years. I think my experience will mean a lot to the district. This is part of my life, and I wanted to continue serving my community.”
Coleman, who is a financial adviser for Waddell and Reed, said he wanted to become more involved in the school district where he has six children attending school. He said he believes the biggest challenges over the next few years will be directly tied to growth and financial issues.
“We have tremendous growth in the primary grades and at the middle schools. We will need to keep up with that and make our facilities acceptable,” he said. “I think my job over the next few months will be getting to know the other board members and finding out how I fit in. I want to see what I can bring to the table, and how I can best help.”
