New faces earn BOE, city commission spots

Voters made it obvious they were ready for a change in leadership positions on the Hays USD 489 Board of Education and the Hays City Commission after Tuesday’s general election.

Only one incumbent in both races was re-elected, and that came in the form of Ron Mellick in the city commission battle.

Newcomers Mason Ruder and Michael Berges also secured spots on the city commission. Ruder led all vote-getters with 1,834 votes, and Berges was second with 1,802 – according to unofficial results from the Ellis County clerk. Both will serve four-year terms when they take office.

Mellick was third with 1,746 votes and will serve a two-year term.

The other incumbent in the race, Henry Schwaller IV, was fifth in voting with 1,413 votes. Ryan Rymer was fourth with 1,492.

In the BOE race, Tammy Wellbrock dominated at the polls. The former president/CEO of the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce who now runs her own business, secured 2,535 votes to lead the way.

Former district principals Allen Park (1,913) and Craig Pallister (1,689) finished second and third to win spots. Park was the longtime principal at the former Washington Elementary School, while Pallister spent numerous years as principal at Hays Middle School.

The final spot on the BOE went to Lori Ann Hertel, who finished with 1,317 votes.

Incumbents Paul Adams and Luke Oborny finished sixth and seventh, respectively, among the nine candidates.

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