Roaring Fork School District Re-1 voters re-elected incumbents Susan Hakanson, Bruce Wampler and Peter Delany to the five member board of directors Tuesday, along with newcomers Michael Bair and Brad Zeigel.

In the Garfield County portion of the Re-1 School District, Hakanson defeated Kenneth Melby II 2,395-1,104 (68 percent to 32 percent). Wampler defeated Robert Arrington 2,020-550 (63 percent to 17 percent). Zeigel defeated Rio Jacober 2,241-646 (78 percent to 22 percent).

Bair and Delany ran unopposed.

---

---

All five Garfield County winners also won in the Pitkin County part of the school district, where 408 ballots were cast, and in Eagle County, where approximately 750 ballots were cast.

Wampler was appointed to the board a year ago. “I spent the past year learning what it takes to be a board member,” he said. “I’ll be happy to contribute, and apply what I’ve learned.”

---

---

Wampler said the school district is moving in the right direction. The two big challenges in the year to come includes the possibility of a multi-million dollar bond issue for school expansion, and a mill levy override to further increase funding for the district.

“They will both be big challenges in the coming year,” Wampler said.

As Wampler joins the board as an elected member, two-term board member Robin Garvik of Carbondale decided not to run. Wampler has high praise for Garvik.

“It’s been an honor serving with her,” Wampler said. “She demonstrated such elegance and dedication … I’ll miss her a lot.”

Zeigel, 42, of Carbondale has spent much of the past year attending school-related meetings in preparation for running.

On Tuesday, he attended an accountability committee meeting at Roaring Fork High School before learning that he had won the District B race.

“It’s been a fascinating, unbelievable learning experience,” Zeigel said. “What’s been such a treat is how open the district office is to meet with the public.”

He has focused his research on “how the system works and what kind of pressure the schools are under.”

Zeigel said he views the school board’s role as running the business of the school district, helping top administrators do their job, and setting goals and expectations for the district to achieve.

“I look forward to helping the culture of the board evolve,” he added.

Contact Lynn Burton: 945-8515, ext. 534

lburton@postindependent.com

Re-1 School board

District A

Michael Bair, 1,674

District B

Brad Zeigel, 2,241, 78 percent

Rio W. Jacober, 646, 22 percent

District C

Bruce E. Wampler, 2,020, 63 percent

Robert L. Arrington, 550, 17 percent

District D

Kenneth Melby II, 1,104, 32 percent

Susan Hakanson, 2,395, 68 percent

District E

Peter Delany, 2,494, 100 percent