Ward, Cole and Rice win in District 300

Du Quoin Community Unit District 300 voters Tuesday returned incumbent board members Michael Ward and Charles "Beaver" Rice to their seats.

Challenger Dennis Cole, whose message throughout the campaign was "accountability," unseated 10-year incumbent Joseph Day.

Ward was the top vote-getter in the district with 1,084 votes, or 24.74% of the vote. Cole was second with 881 votes (20.11%). Rice was third with 855 votes (19.52%). Patricia "Pat" Ferrari, who ran alongside Ward, was fourth with 791 votes (18.06%).

Incumbent Day was fifth with 390 votes (8.90%). Aaron Wright had 380 votes (8.67%).

Cole's election shifts the board's fiscal balance slightly.

Ward, Rice and incumbent Paul Brock last month voted against tax increases and a multi-year contract for career educator and Supt. Gary Kelly. Day had voted for both the modest tax increase saying the district had to sustain its business plan and for the multi-year superintendent's contract. The three voting against the tax hike and the superintendent's contract said they respected Dr. Kelly's work, but that the taxpayers can no longer sustain this run of tax increases and administrative salary increases and the pensions tied to them.

Ward, the top vote-getter, commented today. " I was pleased with the turnout. We will work well together and do what is best for the community." 

Ward said he was disappointed that Ferrari was not seated, calling her a valuable resource in the community. There have been only three women on the District 300 board in recent memory--Dianna Kuhnert, Betty Siefert and Nancy Vanzandt.