News

School board election has unusual twist

By John Rosinski

06/08/2015

A most unusual occurrence happened following the Dunseith School Board election last Tuesday.

Voters headed to the polls to elect two spots on the board, and while one seat was decisive, the other couldn’t be any closer.

According to Dunseith Business Manager Alva Gladue, a total of 322 votes were cast. Incumbent Travis S. Davis was running for re-election to represent the Gilber-Willow Lake-Holmes Township, but his fate will be left to random luck.

Verena Gillis challenged Davis for the open seat, and each candidate received exactly 159 votes. Gladue said she has worked for the school since 1977 and has never seen a tie.

Gladue indicated the Dunseith School Board has to canvas the results, which are still unofficial, within six days, and is scheduled to meet on Monday. The board is expected to review the results at the meeting, and then Davis and Gillis will each have their name dropped in a hat with the winner being whichever name is drawn.

The other seat wasn’t nearly as competitive as incumbent Roger Counts cruised to re-election. Counts received 223 votes while his nearest competitor, Curtis “Tony” Davis received 97 tallies.

Both seats are for three years.

Voters in the Belcourt School District also selected two representatives for the board of education. After the votes were counted, Bruce Morin and Lyle Lunday Sr. were declared elected members of the board for a three year term. Morin received the most votes with 317. Lunday Sr. was the second-highest vote getter, garnering 291 total votes. Long-time board member Allan Malaterre finished third with 194 tallies.

Ronald Wilkie Jr. also ran and received 182 votes and Richard Marcellais finished fifth with 108 votes.

A total of 729 votes were cast during the election, which was held last Tuesday.

Elections for Rolla, St. John and Rolette are scheduled for this Tuesday.

Only incumbent Cheryl Good is running for re-election to the Rolla School board. The election will be held from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. at the school.

In St. John, incumbent Bernie Belgarde is running for re-election. Russell Cain is challenging Belgarde for the rural seat.

Only incumbent Richard Arstein is running for another three-year term in Rolette. The election in Rolette is scheduled for 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. in the school cafeteria.