By Crystal Hayduk
On Nov. 3, voters in the Chelsea School District (CSD) community chose to retain two incumbent members of the board of education (BOE) and welcome one newcomer. (See the election results story here.)
Heather Scott, who was one of three people vying for two full-term seats on the school board, will begin her six-year term on Jan. 1. She will take the oath of office on Jan. 11, the board’s first meeting of 2027. She received the highest number of votes among district voters in Washtenaw County at 4,861.
Scott’s top issues are providing transparency and open communication between the school board and the community and making decisions that protect children.
She did not provide post-election comment prior to publication.
Incumbent Sara Tracy retains her full-term seat around the table with 4,685 votes in Washtenaw County.
Tracy’s top issues are ensuring CSD graduates are prepared for life after high school on the path with their best fit, and addressing the challenge of maintaining stable enrollment and funding in the district.
In her post-election statement, Tracy said, “I am grateful for the trust voters have placed in me and honored to continue serving the students, families, and community of this exceptional school district.
“Over the coming year, I look forward to working alongside my fellow board members and district leadership as we explore future bond funding opportunities to support our schools while continuing the thoughtful governance necessary to maintain the high standards of excellence for which our district is known.
“Our students must remain at the center of every decision we make. I remain committed to listening, collaborating, and doing the work necessary to ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed.”
Eric Wilkinson forfeits his full-term seat on the school board with 3,839 votes among Washtenaw County voters. Even though he had the strongest showing among CSD voters who reside in Jackson County at 192 votes, it was not enough to beat his opponents. (In Jackson County, Scott received 176 votes and Tracy received 165 votes.)
On Nov. 4, Wilkinson said, “I would like to thank all of my supporters. It has been an honor to serve this community these past six years.”
Nicolia Heineman will continue to serve on the CSD BOE. She and her opponent, Jake Steinhauer, contested for the single partial-term seat which expires Dec. 31, 2028. Heineman received 4,070 votes in Washtenaw County and 136 votes in Jackson County.
Heineman’s top issues include maintaining trust through transparency, communication, and accountability, and ensuring resources are aligned with student needs.
Following the election, Heineman said, “I am honored to have been elected to continue serving our district. I stand firm in my belief that our policies must be consistently upheld, thoughtfully implemented, and intentionally designed to support the success of all students while remaining responsive to the evolving needs of our Chelsea School District community.
“I remain committed to this important work through transparency, collaboration, and accountability, with a shared commitment to keeping students at the center of every decision. Our focus must always remain on what matters most—ensuring every student has access to meaningful opportunities, resources, and the support they need to succeed.”
Steinhauer’s vote count was 3,751 in Washtenaw County and 181 in Jackson County. He declined to comment on Nov. 4.
Current election results are unofficial until certified.
