Barrett, Jourdain and Desjarlait Win Red Lake School Board Election Races

RED LAKE - Red Lake School Board Elections were held on November 8, 2016 for 3 at-large seats currently up for election. Those running included current Board Chairman Michael Barrett, Chris Jourdain, Jean Donnell, Douglas "Jack" Desjarlait, Kathryn "Jody" Beaulieu and Rhonda Lussier.

Unofficially, at shortly after 1 AM, according to the Minnesota Secretary of State Website, the winners were Michael Barrett with 1075 votes and 26.08% percent of the vote; Chris Jourdain receiving 805 votes and 19.53% of the vote; and Douglas "Jack" Desjarlait getting 718 votes and 17.42% of the vote.

Kathryn "Jody" Beaulieu came in 4th with 682 votes, Jean Donnell with 488 votes, and Rhonda Lussier with 335 votes.

The Red Lake School Board will canvas the election during a special meeting scheduled for Thursday, November 10, 2016 at 3 PM at the District Administration Office.

Those elected will take office the first week in January 2017 at a special organizational board meeting.

Also in the General Election was the question for voters on whether or not to add a 7th board member to the Red Lake School Board, of which there are currently six members. Passing overwhelmingly, 1372 yes votes to 221 no votes, that 7th board member will be elected in the 2018 General Election, along with 3 others whose terms expire in 2019. Then, will the Board have 7 members.

Two current School Board Members, Robert McClain and Darwin Sumner, did not seek reelection this year and their terms will expire in January 2017.

Important School Board Election Dates for Districts With a Primary: http://www.mnmsba.org/Portals/0/PDFs/ElectionResults/2016Important%20School%20Board%20Election%20Dates%20WITH%20Primary.pdf

THE ROLE OF THE SCHOOL BOARD: http://www.mnmsba.org/BoardWork/RoleOfTheSchoolBoard