The Westfield Washington School Board will remain the same for the next two years as current members Dennis Ells and Duane Lutz were both elected Tuesday night. Ells, who serves as president, will serve a sixth term after running unopposed.
Lutz was named to the board on June 11 to finish Tom W. Mullins’ term when he retired and relocated to Florida. Lutz was elected to his own term as District 3 representative with 7,351 votes (67.76 percent) over Robert P. Smith, II, who received 3,498 votes (32.24 percent).
“I’m relieved, but excited,” said Lutz. “I’m very happy to get back to the business of trying to help out the schools and students.”
The election was also Lutz’s first foray into the political world.
“This was a very big learning experience,” he said. ‘I’m glad it’s over.”
Lutz said the biggest challenge facing the board in the coming years is school finances – where the money is coming from and making sure Westfield gets its fair share with state funding.
“Westfield is below the state average for students,” he said. “Continue to be frugal and smart with money we do have.”