Pinellas County voters all but settled two school board races on Tuesday, with a third headed to a November runoff.
Incumbent Lisa Cane, who runs a local music school, held an 11-point lead with all precincts counted to win her bid for a third term in the District 2 at-large seat. She faced a challenge from retired veteran teacher Nancy Velardi, a former president of the Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association.
“I’m absolutely honored to serve Pinellas County once again for my final term,” Cane said. “I am excited to get rolling and keep our district an A district and the first choice for parents.”
Meanwhile, the other race with two candidates in the running headed to an automatic recount. Former board member Nancy Bostock held a razor-thin lead over political newcomer Amanda Lord in the race for the District 6 seat being vacated by one-term member Stephanie Meyer. District 6 represents south-central Pinellas including Seminole, Pinellas Park and the beaches.
“It was a very close race. Obviously we put in a good effort,” Lord said. “We will wait and see what the elections office says about it tomorrow.”
Bostock was optimistic about the eventual outcome.
“I’m very thankful to all our supporters and to the voters. Every vote truly matters,” she said. “Based on these unofficial results, I am looking forward to getting to work to represent our community and to serve our students.”
Voters did not give a majority to any of the three hopefuls in the chase for the at-large District 3 seat. The top two vote-getters, incumbent Dawn Peters and challenger Curtis Campogni, a consultant and public speaker, will return to the general election ballot.
The board has some major issues looming in coming months. Chief among those, it will decide whether to close or consolidate more schools as enrollment continues to slide.
The district’s student population declined by about 3,800 last year, with a similar dip anticipated this year. Officials said they have about 45,000 empty seats across the county, and they’ve been looking for ways to more efficiently use the space.
Board members also must continue to maintain a balanced budget in the face of declining revenue and increasing prices. They soon will have to decide whether to ask voters to renew a local-option property tax, which boosts employee pay and supports programs in the arts and reading.
Unlike in the past two election cycles, candidates kept their focus on such issues rather than arguing over how conservative the board should be. They agreed on many subjects, instead highlighting the differences in their approaches and experiences.
The new board members will be sworn into office on Nov. 17.
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