MT 43 News Articles View a Published Article

School Board Election Held May 5 By All Mail-In Voting
Author: mt43news staff reporter

School Board Election Held May 5 by All Mail-In Voting

MT43 News Staff Reporter

Jean Hodges, new to Townsend in 2020, and a grandma to two Townsend Elementary School students, scored an upset in the School District Board Trustee race May 5 with a win over incumbent Chase Ragen.

Hodges received 794 votes with Ragen tallying 648 votes for a three- year term. Jason Kool, also an incumbent, received 1,020 votes, according to the unofficial vote released by Clerk and Recorder and Election’s Administrator Angie Paulsen late Tuesday night. Adam Brakefield serves on the board, as does Judy Gillespie, who was appointed to fill a one-year term vacated by Vanessa Flynn. Jason Noyes, who has chaired the board for seven years, has served on the board for three 3-year terms. His present term ends May of 2027.

Noyes thanked Flynn and Ragen for their service to the board. He said, “Every year there are one or two seats up for election and the potential for change. Our goal is that the board, as a whole, continues to provide consistent governance and support to the district leadership team and staff with student achievement at the forefront of the decisions we make.”

Both Kool and Ragen served on the board through tumultuous issues, including whether to institute a 4-day school week, choosing athletic coaches and the ongoing battle concerning school district finances.

Hodges said in an interview she would try to get up to speed on school issues by first taking the MHSA training course for school board trustees. She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and is a Certified Public Accountant. She worked as an internal auditor for the State of Oregon and as a comptroller for the municipality of Juneau, Alaska. She has extensive knowledge in federal and state agency reporting. Hodges will be sworn in at a June school board meeting.

Both Hodges and Gillespie were sworn in Tuesday, May 12, at 6:00 p.m. by Elections Administrator Angie Paulsen at the School and Community Library room at the school. The regular board meeting followed.

Article Images

Click on Image Thumbnail(s) to view fullsize image
PhotoCredit: Nancy Marks, MT43 News Reporter
Image 1 Caption: Jean Hodges sworn in as school board trustee by Elections Administrator Angie Paulsen. Nancy Marks, MT43 News Reporter
Image 2 Caption: Paulsen congratulates School Board Trustee Jason Kool. Nancy Marks, MT43 News Reporter
Image 3 Caption: Judy Gillespie will serve the remainder of Vanessa Flynn's one-year term as trustee. Nancy Marks, MT43 News Reporter