New members elected to Twin Rivers R-X board

Citizens in the Twin Rivers R-X School District voted for a change to the Board of Education by electing two new members to serve for three years.

Goodrich

Bruce Goodrich and Gordon “Lee” Wright defeated incumbents Dennis Whitlow and Board President Jeff Arnold in Tuesday’s election.

Wright secured 29.4% of the votes with 310 votes while Goodrich garnered 27.3%, 287 votes.

Wright

Arnold secured 23.6% of the votes by receiving 248 votes with Whitlow rounding out with 19.8%, 208 votes.

“I feel what happened last year and this year, the voters have made a statement,” Wright said. “They defeated the bond issue pretty hard and we had two running this year who were for it and two who were against it.”

During last year’s election, the district placed a tax levy on the ballot for a new high school building, which was overwhelmingly defeated.

“I think the board and administration needs to take notice of what happened the last two years and regroup and see if we can get a plan and understanding and get going in the right direction with everyone on board,” he said.

With everyone in agreement buildings in the district need updated, Wright would like to seek grants available and submit questionnaires to the taxpayers.

“I would like to see what is on their mind and make decisions over taxpayers and not the board,” he said.

Wright also added he believes the district is ready for diversity on the board.

“All the candidates are good candidates and the only bad choice voters could have made today was not voting,” Wright said. “I thank everyone for making a statement and I will try to hear what everyone has to say in the future.”

Obviously excited over the results, Goodrich said he hoped he could meet the expectations of the citizens who voted for him.

“Thanks to everyone who supported me and voted me as a board member,” he said. “I will do my best to meet the needs of our kids and the school district.”

Goodrich said he believed voters cast their ballots for change and saw he and Wright as an opportunity to deal with some of the issues in the district.

“I think there are a lot of things people consider when thinking about their school district,” he said. “Everything from taxes to buildings and staff. I think (the results) were a combination of all those things.”

Goodrich also added four good candidates were in the race and he didn’t believe there was a wrong vote with any of the men.

“I look forward to serving the district and hope we can move forward and make Twin Rivers the best it can be,” he said.

Following the election results, Arnold said he believes the district is in good hands and has a “really good staff and great administration” and has not given up on his time on the board.

“Everyone has been very supportive and I appreciate them,” he said. “I will definitely be on the ballot next year.”

Arnold said he thought the election results came down to the tax that was on the ballot last year and poor voter turnout.

Arnold added he will use this year to brainstorm ways to update buildings in the district ahead of next year’s election.

“I really appreciate the support and all the kind words and everyone who contacted me after the results came out,” he said. “We have a great staff at Twin Rivers and administration and I hope everything stays just the way it is right now.”

Whitlow appreciated the citizens who showed up and cast their vote for him.

“I haven’t made up my mind if I will run again or not,” he said. “The people spoke their opinions and the voters are the ones that count.”

Also in Butler County, voters elected Kristi Wilkerson as the city of Fisk Councilwoman in Ward 1 by one vote over Jeff Ledbetter.

A bond for improvements in the Water & Sewage District No. 4 passed with 103 votes in support compared to the 66 “no” votes.