Abell, Harrison win; levy passes

Two-time former trustee Charlie Abell and incumbent trustee Ruth Harrison were the winners of Tuesday's Whitefish School District board election. Two seats were open and four candidates filed.

Abell garnered 1,021 votes out of 1,466 ballots cast for 69 percent of the vote. Harrison got 828 votes, or 56 percent.

"I'm looking forward to being back in the saddle at the school board," Abell said. "Education is one of the most important things society provides."

Harrison said she was surprised by the kind of support she received.

"I wasn't expecting that kind of support," she said. "I'm surprised and pleased and hope to continue with the progress we've already started for the programs our students need. It looks like we got support for that."

Challengers Jack Silliker and Peter Elespuru received 478 and 286 votes respectively. A total of 319 votes were counted as "not voted," which could mean a voter chose only one candidate or none.

Voters also approved the $40,643 levy for the elementary school district, which is facing a $125,000 shortfall for the next budget year, by 907 to 545. The money will be used for instructional materials, furniture and performing arts programs.

Voter turnout was about 15 percent. There are 9,366 registered voters in the school district, which includes Whitefish and the surrounding area.