NEWCOMERS, BAKER, WILLS WIN JACKSON SCHOOL RACE

JACKSON -- Newcomers Mark Baker and Brent Wills won seats on the Jackson Board of Education following Tuesday's election.

Two three-year terms were available in the contest. Wills bested all candidates by receiving 3,097 votes in the four-way contest, followed by Baker with 2,325 votes.

Incumbent Tom Ludwig, who was seeking election to a second term, received 1,980 votes in a losing effort. Challenger Mach Illers rounded out the election with 1,599 votes.

Reached at home Tuesday night, Baker said he believes the school board's first order of business should be rebuilding trust with the community. He said during his campaign, a majority of district patrons told him they didn't feel school board members were receptive to community concerns.

"The biggest thing I heard was people felt like they were being told what they would get and they weren't being asked what they wanted," Baker said. "I think there's a job right there on restoring the trust."

Wills could not be reached for comment Tuesday night.