Published: May 07, 2008 04:50 pm            

Burgess wins school board seat

Zionsville voted overwhelmingly for change on the Zionsville Community Schools Board. Jane Burgess won the Eagle Township seat with 41 percent in a crowded field of four candidates. She defeated Valerie Brennan with 31 percent, incumbent Jim Krupowicz with 21 percent and Greg Ellis with 8 percent.

Incumbent Rob Wingerter was unchallenged for the Union Township seat.

BURGESS

Burgess said she won because of the incredible support from her friends and all the people she met during the campaign.

“I think people were ready for a new perspective on the board,” she said.

She said the most common issues on voter’s mind were being responsible in spending taxpayer money and building construction projects.

“I look forward to working with the present board and just paving a new way forward ... in planning what is best for Zionsville’s schools both financially and educationally,” she said.

She also wanted to thank Jim Krupowicz for his many years of service.

Krupowicz

Krupowicz said it has been a privilege to serve on the board since 1996 and is grateful for the support from the community. He called to congratulate Burgess and offered her any help she might need during the transition, he said.

He said their was nothing about the campaign that he would want to change.

“I am comfortable that mine was an issue-based campaign. I was offering my experience on the board and vision for the future ... The challengers offered to provide change from the status quo. The voter chose to change. I accept their decision,” he said.

Brennan

Brennan said she wished Burgess the best of luck on the board.

“We made it a good race, and I am happy the community was involved in the race and was interested in what was going on in the schools,” she said.

It was obvious from the election results that the community was ready for a change, she said. Her second place finish showed that she did a good job of getting out her message.

Ellis

Ellis said he was disappointed he didn’t win, but he thinks Burgess is a qualified person and will do a good job on the board.

He said they both shared many of the same views.

“Before the incumbent had been unchallenged. It was time for a change and the voters agreed,” he said.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.