OGDEN — The incumbents prevailed in Tuesday’s Ogden School Board election.
Don Belnap, 53, won the District 1 seat with 894 votes. His challenger, David Tanner, received 577 votes.
Belnap, who will be serving his third term, is currently board president.
“I congratulate Dave Tanner for running,” Belnap said. “He’s a good husband and father.
“There are incredible thing happening in the Ogden School District, and I will continue working with the other board members, the district and the teachers to create a vision of excellence in education for our school district. I’m excited to stay on for another four years, and I will do my best for the kids of Ogden to get a great education.
Belnap, a financial planner, ran on his record, citing the Ogden School Board’s recent accomplishments, including higher scores on state tests, improved graduation rates, the building of three elementary schools and the restoration and renovation of two high schools during his time on the board. Tanner, 45, is a teacher at Roy’s North Park Elementary. His main priority was to improve the district’s relationship with its teachers.
“I just want to let everybody that voted for me know I appreciated the vote of confidence,” Tanner said. “I wish the best to Don, and maybe he will take this as a little wake-up call, and listen to the people around him a little bit more.”
Shane Story, 48, won the District 5 seat with 2,336 votes. Story, an account executive for Nestles USA, will now serve a second four-year term.
He ran on his accomplishments as a board member, supporting the IB program and new programs at the district’s junior high schools that will prepare students for the scholarship level of the IB program.
“I appreciate all the people who supported us, and have seen positive things happening in the school district, and want to continue to see those things go forth,” Story said. “It’s been a positive learning experience for me. The best thing of campaigning has been to be out visiting people, finding out what we are doing good and what we can do better.”
Story’s opponent, J. Scott Handy, won 1,674 votes. Handy, 62, is a former Ogden School District teacher and a marketer at Superior Roofing Inc. Handy’s priorities included offering teachers more support and appreciation, increasing parental involvement and volunteerism in schools.
“I’d like to thank all those who voted for me, those who supported me,” Handy said. “I had a great experience, and was honored to be on the ballot to represent the people of District 5. I want to congratulate my friend Shane for a hard-fought victory. I will support him for the next four years, and look forward to wonderful changes in the Ogden School District.”
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