Mary Lou Dixon

SYRACUSE — Though she did not get the most votes in her own township, incumbent Mary Lou Dixon was still reelected to the Wawasee School Board representing District 2 during Election Day Tuesday, Nov. 6. Her overall margin of victory was only 126 votes as she had 2,132 votes corporation wide with challenger William “Bill” Cripe in second place at 2,006 votes.

Also challenging in District 2 was Steven Baut, who had 1,583 votes total and had the most votes of the three candidates in Van Buren Township with 452. Baut also had the most votes of the three candidates in Jefferson Township East with 72. Running unopposed were Rob Fisher (District 1) with 4,943 votes and Rebecca Linnemeier (District 3) with 5,041 votes.

Dixon, who will begin serving her fifth term on the board in January, was edged by Cripe 943 to 915 votes in Turkey Creek Township. Ironically, Dixon had the most votes in four of the six precincts, but Cripe won Precinct 1 205 to 173 and Precinct 3 176 to 149. However, Dixon made up the difference by winning Tippecanoe Township 839 to 707 votes for Cripe and Van Buren Township with 364 votes to 337 for Cripe. Cripe had more votes in Jefferson Township East with 19 to 14 for Dixon.

“I’m thankful I’m back in,” Dixon said, adding she is really not sure what her reelection can be attributed to. “We (the board) are trying hard to work on academics and that is something I do know something about.”

Dixon said she worked harder on her campaign this time by, for example, speaking to Lions and Kiwanis clubs. “I’ve lived here a long time,” she said, noting Cripe has also lived in the area a long time.

She admitted she was somewhat surprised Cripe had more votes in Turkey Creek Township.

Wawasee’s board will remain the same for another year with Dixon, Fisher, Linnemeier and also Mike Wilson and Don Bokhart, both of whom were not up for reelection this year.