Updated: Trombley Edges Rassel Out of Brighton Area Schools Board of Education Seat

It looks as if newcomer Bill Trombley has succeeded with his catchy "Kids First" campaign message.

Trombley, who has two children attending , that he decided to run for a seat on the Board of Education because he felt that board members are not on the same page with its students, hence his slogan, "Kids First."

As of 12:30 a.m. Wednesday morning, all 15 precincts reported that Trombley beat Greg Rassel, current school board vice president, 2,189 to 1,873 votes.

"The people spoke, they wanted a change," Trombley said. "My whole thing was to put kids first, so if it's good for kids, I'm voting yes; if it's bad for kids, I'm voting no."

Trombley said he wants every single student to receive the best education possible, and that means supplying the technology and tools teachers need to get the job done.

"The district's in debt and they have a deficit elimination plan that they've submitted to the state, but why should that deprive our kids from technology and better facilities?" Trombley said. "I think the people are having an issue - they're saying, 'well the school board's in debt, we can't pass a bond issue.' The bond issue and technology bond don't effect the school district's debt because the taxpayers pay for those. The problem is kids going to school in the district now are being deprived of technology because people think the school board can't manage the money because of its debt - which isn't the case."

Trombley said he understands that the Board of Education must cut teachers and contracts, but on the flip side, board members are also under an obligation to keep the great technology in the classroom even while dealing with debt.

"These kids need the technology in these classrooms and it's up to the public to help put it there," he said. "And they're not doing it - they're holding it against the kids because the district's in debt."

School Board Secretary Beth Minert has been re-elected with the most votes - 2,665 - while newcomer Nick Fiani received the least amount of votes - 1,175.

Minert said she was grateful for all of the votes.

"It's nice to know that so many people out there who have confidence in me," she said. "I appreciate their support."

This will be Minert's second term on the school board. She said there's still a lot of work to do.

"We have to work on the budget, we are still a deficit district, but in two to three years - we'll have that resolved," she said. "I'd like to see us continue to go forward with the tech bond and sinking fund."

Minert added that she was sad to see Rassel go because she has enjoyed working with him on the board.

Below are the unofficial election results: