Incumbents retain seats in Round Lake Dist. 116

Five incumbent Round Lake Area Unit School District 116 board members won re-election Tuesday.

Four sitting board members — Lori Weiss Berdenis, Nanci Radford, Annette Negrete McGinley and Tammie Hanna — retained their seats, fighting off a challenge from newcomer Mellody Gomez. All four seats carry 4-year terms.

In a separate election, incumbent Michael Eckhardt was the lone candidate on the ballot for a 2-year term.

According to unofficial totals, with 22 of 22 precincts reporting and 1,503 votes cast, Radford led with 337 votes; McGinley was second with 333 votes; Hanna with 329 votes and Berdenis with 314 votes. Gomez received 190 votes. Eckhart was elected with 415 votes.

“I’m just so pleased I’m going to be a part of what’s going to be happening,” Radford said. “This board has worked so hard to get to where it’s at.”

After years of state financial oversight, the District 116 board is again controlling its own destiny. Acting responsibly when it comes to financial matters and keeping the district fiscally strong was the top campaign issue for the incumbents.