(Geronimo) — Although Navarro ISD voters have confirmed their choices for the three available seats on the school board, there is still some uncertainty with at least the top vote getter in Tuesday’s race.
Candidate Katherine Ewald, who publicly pulled out of the race prior to early voting but whose name still appeared on the ballot for the Navarro ISD Board of Trustees, led the pack of six candidates after garnering the most support with 2,646 of the votes cast. Now although Ewald said she was not going to seek a position, Tuesday night’s results, has claimed her a seat on the school board. Until she denies the position, election officials say the seat is hers.
As for Ewald’s intentions, she stated to the Seguin Daily News that she was “not ready to comment yet” but that she would let us know “something soon.”
It is not yet known how the school board will proceed should she deny the position. Potential options include appointing a trustee, holding a special election or leaving the position vacant until the next school board election.
Meanwhile, voters have also confirmed the return to the school board for the next two top vote getters. They include incumbents Renee Rehfeld and Clint Scheib. Rehfeld received 2,495 of the votes cast while Scheib followed with 1,762 votes.
Rounding out the group of six candidates were Weldon Dietze with 1,699 votes; Tracy Large with 1,365 and Tank Malinovsky with 814 votes.
In response to the results, Rehfeld says they were overwhelming and is encouraged by the level of support shown.
“I truly am so excited that the community trusted me enough to put me in for another four years. I feel very humbled by the votes that I received and it’s just a lot to take in right now,” said Rehfeld.
Scheib says he too is grateful to be returning to his seat and is already looking ahead at planning out Navarro’s future.
“I’m really appreciative and really thankful for the community for allowing me another four years on the board specifically because of what we have ahead of us. In the next couple of years, we have a lot of challenges with this growth. It’s going to be difficult but we will get through it,” said Scheib.
Navarro ISD officials say they hope to know more soon on the next steps toward officially welcoming all three of their voter approved board members. After that, they can then officially canvass and administer the oath of office to those newest trustees.