Updated: Krause, Fiani Will Fill Open Brighton Area Schools Board of Education Seats

Brighton Area Schools Incumbent Jay Krause will keep his seat on the Board of Education and he will be joined by newcomer Nick Fiani, according to unofficial results from the Livingston County Clerk's office.

With all 22 precincts reporting, Krause received the most votes, with 7,585. Fiani beat out fellow challenger Ken Stahl by a close 172 votes, with 6,873 to Stahl's 6,701. Candidate Keith Van Hentenryck received 4,059 votes.

Fiani said his overall priority as he steps into his new position as a board member is to make sure that the district's finances stay in order by looking at where it currently stands with its deficit then look into the best way to aggressively remove it.

"I also want to make sure with regards to how we're moving forward with the current bond that was passed - to make sure we're using the money responsibly and conservatively," he said. "Just because we have $88 million doesn't mean we need to spend it all."

Fiani said he also hopes to help the district get back into touch with the community.

"I know the residents that live around Scranton Middle School are enduring some difficulties and I want to personally reach out to them and try and open up dialogue and enthusiastically listen, because they make very valid points," he said. "I'm not sure if the entire current school board is enthusiastically listening to what they have to say and what their concerns are."

Brighton Area Schools Operating Millage Renewal also passed with 11,336 "yes" votes and 9,739 votes for "no."

The renewal will allow the district to continue to levy 18 mills on nonhomestead properties, including businesses and second homes. The current millage expires at the end of the year.

Brighton Superintendent Greg Gray said the millage accounts for almost $10 million of the district's general operating budget.

Check back with Brighton Patch for updates on this race.