Most incumbents keep their seats on Rochester school board
Four out of five incumbent candidates looking to hold onto their seats on the Rochester school board did just that on Tuesday.
Incumbents Barb Anness, the board's vice president; Michelle Bueltel, president; Julie Alspach, treasurer, and Jayson Blake, trustee, were joined by newcomer Shelly Lauzon.
Alspach, Blake and Lauzon were the top three vote-getters in a field of six candidates for the full six-year term.
Anness and Bueltel were the top two finishers in a field of four candidates for the two-year term..
Anness and Bueltel beat Andrew Weather, the only incumbent who did not receive enough votes to stay on the board. Anness received 21,873 votes and Bueltel received 21,626 votes. Weaver finished third for the term ending Dec. 31, 2026 with 20,618 votes. Only the top two candidates earned seats on the board..
"I am truly honored and grateful for the trust our community has placed in me," said Bueltel, "I look forward to continuing to serve and work collaboratively with our community, staff, and families to support an inclusive and thriving educational environment. I am confident that together, we will continue making a positive impact for all students in our district."
Alspach, who was appointed to the board in May 2023, led all 10 candidates with 22,187 votes to earn her first full term on the board.
"I am grateful and humbled by the level of community support I received, both in votes and encouragement throughout the campaign," she said. "This election reaffirms our community's belief in the excellence of our schools and our commitment to making them even better. Rochester is my hometown, where I was raised and where my children were raised. I am honored to be chosen to continue serving it."
Anness was grateful to earn a second term on the board.
"We have so much to be proud of here in the Rochester community school district, and the clear message that retaining four incumbents sends speaks volumes: we will not be swayed by half-truths or the negative narratives pushed by some to undermine our public school district," Anness said. "The road ahead is bright, and I am inspired by the opportunity to continue serving this incredible community."
She also welcomed the newest board member.
"I also welcome Shelley Louzan as the newest member of our board," Anness said. "We look forward to working together with her, embracing a spirit of collaboration, respect, and mutual trust—values that are essential to creating a board that truly works in the best interests of all the students we serve."
With 113,139 votes cast in the race for the full six-year term, Blake earned the last of four board seats beating Richard Kaczanowski by just 49 votes – 19,996 to 19,947.
"I'm very pleased at the results of this election," said Blake. "The campaign got a little rough near the end, but I look forward to putting that behind and working to serve every student in RCS over the next six years."
Even though Donley received 12,622 votes, the fewest of any candidates running for the six-year or two-year terms, she intends to continue to contribute her time to the schools.
"I feel honored that almost 13,000 community members voted for me on election day. I wish the outcome was different, but I'm still proud that I ran a truly grassroots, independent campaign on a frugal budget without PAC funds," said Donley. 'I'm looking forward to continuing my advocacy in our community and wish all school board members the best of luck as they lead RCS into the future."
