Don Bokhart

SYRACUSE — There will be no changes in the makeup of the Wawasee school board. Incumbents Mike Wilson (District 1) and Don Bokhart (District 2) retained the two at-large seats on the board after Tuesday’s election.

Wilson had 4,102 votes overall, while his challenger Gary Coy had 2,612. Bokhart had a much closer race with 2,732 votes overall to 2,171 for David Rosenberry and 1,732 for Michael Lamle.

By township, Wilson won Tippecanoe Township with 1,601 votes to 846 for Coy, while Bokhart had 809 votes, Rosenberry 797 and Lamle 697. In Turkey Creek Township, Wilson had 1,634 votes to 1,140 for Coy. Bokhart had 1,318 votes to 770 for Lamle and 717 for Rosenberry.

In Van Buren Township, Wilson had 801 votes to 589 for Coy, while Rosenberry, who is a Milford firefighter, had 606 votes to 553 for Bokhart and 256 for Lamle. Wilson had 66 votes and Coy 37 in Jefferson Township East, while Bokhart had 52, barely edging Rosenberry’s 51 and Lamle had 9.

Wilson said he continues to try to keep an open mind and let the community and school corporation set the priorities. He noted the school climate audit done earlier this year was helpful and “told us a few things we need to pay attention to.”

Clearly, Turkey Creek Township, where Bokhart lives, was a major difference for him. He won Tippecanoe Township by 12 votes and Jefferson Township East by only one vote, while losing in Van Buren Township. But he won Turkey Creek Township by more than 500 votes.

“I am looking forward to a great four-year term,” he said. “Wawasee was a great school corporation before I came on the board and I would like to continue to support it.”

Bokhart said during his campaign he emphasized he is willing to listen to community input. He also wants to “keep our good people in place” including administrators, teachers, staff, custodians, bus drivers, cafeteria workers and others. “You’re only as good as your people,” he said.

Mike Wilson