Caledonia Argus

Voters elect two newcomers to ISD #299 school board

Posted: 11/13/02

by Andrew Miller
Argus News Reporter

When all the votes had been cast and all the ballots counted on November 5, two new individuals had been selected to serve on the ISD #299 school board. Naomi Fruechte and Mary Jane Frank, both longtime activists in the district, received 20.21% and 16.64% of the votes, respectively.

Fruechte, who received more votes than any other candidate, reacted to the results with elation and mild disbelief.

ìI was amazed and very pleased,î she said. ìI want to thank the voters and I certainly hope I donít disappoint them.î

Not having campaigned prior to the election, Fruechte attributes her popularity among voters to her name recognition in the district; she served as the Extension Educator with the University of Minnesota Extension Service, and just recently served on the ISD #299 Referendum Steering Committee.

Though she wonít assume her place on the board until January, Fruechte is hoping the December operating levy referendum will pass, so that she and her fellow soon-to-be fellow board members will be able to facilitate the highest quality education possible.

ìI hope the referendum passes in December so we wonít have to make further cuts,î she noted. ìIf we continue to cut thatís going to really hamper what the kids receive. Education is an investment, not an expense. High quality education affects community and economic developmentñ it attracts businesses and it keeps young people in an area. Itís an investment in your future.î

Frank, who like Fruechte did not campaign, can also attribute her victory to name recognition; she serves on the Curriculum Committee and the Technology Committee, in addition to volunteering in the technology department at the middle/high school.

Frank concurs with Fruechte in that voter approval of the December referendum is crucial to the well-being of the district.

ìI feel really, really strongly about the referendum; the need for that is huge,î Frank said. ìWhatever path the board goes down will be determined by the December referendum. I really think the people of the district need to take this opportunity to look at both sides of the issue and look at what those dollars will do for the district.î

The November 5 election also saw incumbents Chuck Schulte and Charlie Wray get re-elected to the board. Schulte finished second in the polls, receiving 16.64% of the votes, and Wray finished fourth, receiving 16.29%. Jean Meyer finished sixth with 14.51% of the votes, not enough to earn her a seat on the board, and incumbent Bruce Bulman failed to retain his seat, finishing fifth with 14.81% of the votes.

Bulman, a nine-year veteran of the school board, expressed gratitude to the 1200 voters who supported him, and noted that, during his tenure on the board, ìthe fact that we (the board) quickly turned it around with the SODî is a source of pride for him. Those newly elected, he added, will face many challenges in the coming years.

ìItís been a tough job,,î Bulman said. ìCongratulations to those who wonñ I wish the best to those who have a tough job ahead.î

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