Wayland Board of Education President Cinnamon Mellema may have been elected to a second four-year term after all.
First reports had her finishing fifth in a race for four open four-year seats. However, results certified Monday showed her in fourth place, ahead of newcomer Jason Shane.
The officially tally on the Allegan County Clerk’s web site Monday was Theresa Dobry with 4,630 votes, newcomer Becky Hohnke 4,444, Dan Cassini 4,058, Mellema 3,962 and Shane 3,880.
Reports reported Nov. 4 showed Mellema finished fifth with 3,381 votes and Shane had 3,508.
When asked about the discrepancy, Mellema said, “I think it was because not all precincts had actually finished counting and certifying their elections. When the final tally was done, (this may have included the mail-in ballots being tallied), I had more votes than Mr. Shane.
“Ironically, I gave both Ms. Hohnke and Mr. Shane cards with notes of congratulations last week.”
She cautioned that Shane has indicated there is yet a problem with the tallies in Yankee Springs Township. There have been no requests for a recount as yet.
Mellema first was elected to the board in November 2016 and her four-year term was supposed to expire Dec. 31, 2020.
A 1990 graduate of Wayland Union High School, Mellema earned a bachelor of science degree from Western Michigan University, a master of arts degree in special education from Grand Valley State University and a master of education degree in education administration from Western Michigan University.
She and her husband, Scott, are parents of Reilly and Johnnie, both of whom attend local schools. She has served in education for 20 years as both a teacher for Kentwood Public Schools and teacher consultant for the Kent Career Technical School.
