Casper, a former teacher and multi-term veteran of the school board, told the Journal-News her re-election to another four years left her “grateful for the opportunity to serve our students, families and community.”
“All Lakota students deserve to have a quality education and I look forward to continuing to make decisions through the lens of what will be best for every student,” said Casper.
Coming in second to win a seat was Alexander Argo, a Lakota school parent and alum of the school system.
Argo garnered 19.28% of the votes and said he was “deeply grateful to the voters for their trust and support.”
“I’m looking forward to working with the new board to strengthen that dialogue, keep our focus on students, and ensure Lakota continues to be a place where families are proud to send their kids,” he said.
The third and final contested seat was also won by a Lakota graduate but one that just received his high school diploma last spring.
Benjamin Nguyen made history as the now 18-year-old Miami University freshman won his first attempt at political office and became the youngest candidate to ever win a Lakota board seat.
He garnered 18.61% of the vote to win the third open seat.
Nguyen, who is studying finance at Miami after graduating from Lakota West High School in May, said his victory brings a conservative voice to the district’s school board.
“Tonight is a victory for all of us – our entire Lakota community. Tonight is a victory for our students – they have a voice, an advocate, a friend, and someone who will finally put them first. Tonight is a victory for our parents – no longer will they fight our board from the outside, but instead will have an advocate defending the rights of parents to have a say in the direction and upbringing of their children,” he said.
“Tonight is a victory for all taxpayers – no more wasteful spending, and by God together we’ll make sure no ludicrous levy comes up in the future,” said Nguyen referring to Lakota’s tax bond issues also on the ballot Tuesday and defeated by wide margin.
Missing out on winning one of the three open seats were Elyse Jenkins with 15.19% of the vote, Tommy Montoya with 14.94% and Melissa Meyer with 11.76%.
Isaac Adi and Christina French were the two Lakota school board members not seeking election leaving Casper as the lone incumbent running.
Lakota’s more than 17,000 student enrollment makes it the largest public school district in Butler County and the largest suburban school system in southwest Ohio.
The three winners to fill the open seats will be sworn into their four-year terms in early January.
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