NorthwestNovember 4, 2015

MARY STONE of the Tribune

Dennis Lenz defeated Lloyd Wallis Tuesday in a face-off between longtime incumbents on the Clarkston School Board.

Lenz earned 1,838 votes to Wallis' 1,275, for a 59 percent to 41 percent victory.

Lenz's previous position won't expire for two more years, but he had to run against Wallis to remain on the board because he moved into Wallis' area of the district.

"Lloyd's done a great job. He's been on the board for 10 years, and he's going to be truly missed," Lenz said. "He's been a great supporter of this district and I hope he continues to be."

Lenz, 46, a technical records specialist for the Idaho Transportation Department, was elected in 2003, had a brief hiatus when he moved to another area within the district, then served again for a total of about 11 years.

"I'm just happy that I get to continue to serve," he said. "It's a way that I get to give back and I really appreciate the support that the people have showed for me."

It was Wallis' first challenge for the seat since being appointed to the board in 2005.

"I've had a good 10 years being on the board and I'm pleased with the work I've done," Wallis said. "I'm disappointed I won't get to continue; there was more I wanted to get done. But I give my best wishes to Dennis."

Wallis, 66, a retired school psychologist and special education director, said the election was the first time he'd ever campaigned, and he enjoyed it.

"It was actually kind of fun, sharing your message with folks, speaking about the issues and things," he said. "It was fun until the stress at the end, waiting for the results."

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His campaign focused on preserving and improving Clarkston's music and drama programs.

"I still plan to attend the music and drama events and show my support that way," he said.

He'll also continue tutoring with an after-school program and helping with beginning band at Heights Elementary School, he said.

Lenz said his focus will be on meeting needs while minding the district's finances. Construction bond attempts for modernizing and replacing a portion of Clarkston High School were rejected by voters in 2011 and 2014.

"We have facilities needs that need to be addressed to promote student growth and faculty needs - and community needs," Lenz said. "I want everybody to know we'll be fiscally responsible with facilities decisions no matter what happens."

"I don't want to take anything away from Lloyd, because Lloyd's done a great job and unfortunately we just happen to live in the same (area of the) district," he said. "I'd also like to congratulate Jim Nelly."

Nelly, owner of Nelly Broadcasting in Clarkston, will fill Lenz's old spot as the lone candidate for that position.

In the only other contested school board race in the area, eight-year Palouse School Board veteran Brenda Brown held her spot with 76 percent of the vote, garnering 181 votes to challenger Leia Placke's 57.

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Stone may be contacted at mstone@lmtribune.com or at (208) 848-2244. Follow her on Twitter @MarysSchoolNews.

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