By Alexandra Cline
Corey Berkstresser and Heather Hostetter, two insurgent candidates, defeated two incumbent Rockbridge County School Board members Tuesday night. Berkstresser beat Kevin Brooks while Hostetter unseated Laurie Strong.
Both Berkstresser and Hostetter are well known in Rockbridge County. Berkstresser serves as general manager of Lee Hi Travel Plaza in the South River district. Hostetter works as the office manager at her husband’s excavating company in the Kerrs Creek district.
Berkstresser said he expected to win because people know him as a man of character who is hardworking and dedicated. “I’ve got a good reputation,” he said.
His first goal will be to expand vocational programs, Berkstresser said. He campaigned on this issue during the election. He noted that students needed to be prepared for real-world jobs.
During this year’s election, there have been several key issues: school funding shortfalls, increasing teacher pay and expanding vocational programs.
During the campaign, Hostetter saw the school budget as a primary issue. She asserted that her background as an accountant enables her to bring a more balanced approach to the board. She stressed that school funding should address vocational training programs and get back to the basics of math and reading.
The Rockbridge County School Board consists of five members elected by district for four-year terms.
There are 3,117 registered voters in the Kerrs Creek district and 2,791 in the South River district this year.