Voters in the Deer Lakes School District selected an incumbent school director and three political newcomers to fill the four open seats on the school board in Tuesday’s general election.
Five candidates were vying for the four seats.
Three of the four board members whose four-year terms expire at the end of the year — Philip Ziendarski, Vic Laurenza Jr. and Eric J. Bieniek — did not seek reelection.
Incumbent Kristi Minnick, 51, of West Deer, who was elected to the board in 2017, received 2,097 of the 9,604 votes cast in the Nov. 2 election — the most among the five candidates on the ballot.
“Serving on the board the last two years has been tumultuous and sometime divisive, but I was reassured by the voting results,” Minnick said. “I am grateful to have the community’s trust in me to be their voice for another four years.
“Unfortunately we continue to face challenges in public education with inadequate state and federal funding, competition from charter schools with flawed and antiquated payment formulas and learning loss from the pandemic.”
Democrat Jeremy L. Love, 45, of East Deer, who has not previously served in elected office, received 2,045 votes to win a seat.
“I cannot wait until December to start learning from the existing board members,” he said. “With three new board members coming on, I am hoping we can bring some new life to the board and bring some new ideas to the table.”
Love said he is excited to be elected and is eager to learn more about school operations.
“This is going to be a learning experience and process,” he said. “You don’t just go in knowing what to do. I am hopeful that we all can work together and accomplish a lot of good things for the district.”
Love credits his supporters for helping him get elected.
“If it wasn’t for all the people that stood behind me, I would not have been able to accomplish this,” he said. “I hope I can do them justice and make them proud of what I can do for them and the students of the district.”
Democrat Jonathan Majernik, 45, of West Deer received the third highest number of votes cast, 1,905.
“I am incredibly excited and humbled to be elected to the Deer Lakes School Board,” Majernik said. “I would like to extend my gratitude to everyone who supported me over the past year.
“Most importantly, I am ready to get to work! I am committed to collaborating with my fellow school board members, to being a voice for our entire community and to support a world class education for our kids where they can thrive.”
Republican Traci A. Stotler picked up 1,854 votes — 196 more than fifth-place finisher Democrat Brian Brown to secure the fourth open seat.
“I think that people saw that I am a real person who is tired of what’s going on,” she said following her victory. “No political jargon, no ulterior motive. I was honest with my words.”
Stotler said she wants to be the voice for the families who align with her values, which she said are conservative.
“It’s going to be a wild ride, but I am ready to fight for what’s right,” she said. “As I’ve said before, I’m not your typical politician.”
