Two newcomers win Lebanon School Board race

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By Justin McClelland, Staff Writer Updated 6:39 AM Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Ryan Patterson Jr. and Laura Doughman, two newcomers, were elected Tuesday, Nov. 3 to the Lebanon Board of Education.

Patterson was the top vote getter with 30.69 percent or 4,082 of the votes, according to unofficial results from the Warren County Board of Elections. Doughman came in second with 3,182 votes or 23.92 percent. Other candidates were Gary Groh, who finished third with 2,998 votes (22.54 percent) and current school board member Michael Lutmer, who received 2,400 votes (18.04 percent). Current school board Jack Hedges did not seek reelection.

Patterson ran on an agenda of retaining and obtaining the best teachers and keeping a high level of communication between the community, school board and superintendent. Doughman advocated keeping the school board’s focus on education and students and being prudent with district resources.

“As an engineer I always want to develop a plan of attack,” Patterson said. “There are things we won’t really know until we’re entrenched and learn the inner workings of the board.”

Doughman said she planned to do what was best for the children and community but would not extrapolate further on what those needs would be.

“I presented myself as who I am,” Doughman said. “I was honest and I think the community could identify with me.”

“Obviously I’m very flattered,” Patterson said.

The school board faces an uncertain future with state funding in a precarious position and the looming possibility of all-day kindergarten, which would cost the school board millions of dollars. Both candidates said they would support a levy if necessary.

The Lebanon City Council race was unopposed with mayor Amy Brewer, and council members Charleen Mehaffie Flick, Jeff Monroe, and Jim Norris all retaining their seats.

Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4544 or jmcclelland@coxohio.com.

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