Voters on Tuesday gave their support to the two candidates who made it clear they are interested in pursuing changes within the Jefferson City Public School system.
Pam Murray gathered the most support with 4,048 votes (25.7 percent) followed closely by Michael Couty with 4,026 votes (25.6 percent). The two will fill the two available seats on the board.
Coming in third, fourth and fifth were: Dan Renfrow with 3,221 votes (20.47 percent); Adrian Hendrick II with 2,266 votes (14.4 percent); and Joy Sweeney with 2,170 votes (13.79 percent).
Throughout the campaign, both Murray and Couty made it clear they plan to shake up a board they believe too often has disregarded the concerns of teachers and parents in the district.
Both Couty and Murray waited for the election results at Bones Restaurant on Tuesday night. Murray's supporters dined near the bar; Couty's met in the banquet hall.
Murray thanked everyone who supported her, and said she wants to get to work quickly.
"I don't have a minute to waste. I'm ready to hit the ground running," she said.
"We have an urgent need for facilities," Murray said. "I'd like to hear directly from the public regarding what they would support - and why or why not. And, overcrowding is a real issue in most of our schools."
She said many retired teachers worked on her campaign. "I've had a lot of support," she said. "I'm very heartened."
Asked if she thinks she has a mandate to change things, Murray replied: "Yes, I think I do, because I have not been ambiguous about where I stand," she said. "A vote for me was a vote for change."
Couty called the campaign a "long process, but a good learning process," and one that gave him insight into the other candidates' beliefs.
"I truly believe we are all wanting the same thing," Couty said. "We want the board to be accountable and transparent. Those were words that were not being used with the school board ... were not even being talked about."
When the final totals were announced, a satisfied "Hurrah!" was heard from Couty's supporters.
One thing was clear Tuesday night: cell phones were a useful technology. As the election results rolled in, many of the people in the room stared at their phones.
Couty's supporters were gratified by his win.
Larry Henry, who also represents the city's Fifth Ward, said everyone worked hard on the campaign. Henry, too, saw the results as a vote for change.
Winston Rutledge, who formerly served the school district as the assistant superintendent for instruction, also was gratified by Couty's win.
"This campaign was about strengthening the public schools - starting from the top with the leadership - to make sure we have public schools the community can be proud of," Rutledge said.
Joy Sweeney, the only incumbent running for the board, said the loss was not unexpected, but disappointing, nonetheless.
"I knew from the beginning, there was an anti-incumbent sentiment in the community," she said.
Sweeney said serving the district for so many years was a blessing and she is thankful for the positive support she received during the campaign. She also wished both Murray and Couty well, and said she hopes they enjoy serving the children of the district as much as she did.
"I put my heart and soul into it. I tried every day to make the best decisions for the students, the parents and the whole community," Sweeney said. "It's time for a change and hopefully the community is pleased with the new leadership."
See additional Mid-Missouri results in our politics section.