Blair Oaks School Board incumbents Greg Russell and John Weber will maintain their seats as school board members for another three years.
The official vote came in for Russell at 37.30 percent or 526 votes, Weber at 33.19 percent or 468 votes, Kimberly Sprenger at 29.71 percent or 405 votes and 11 write-in candidates at 0.78 percent. The total votes were tallied at 1,410 for the four voting precincts.
Sprenger said she wanted to be the first to congratulate the board members.
"Of course I'm disappointed, but the voters have spoken," she said. "Of course I think Russell and Weber will do a fine job."
Russell, who has been on the board for about 10 years and is currently serving as president, said he's grateful to everyone who turned out to vote and thanks them for their support.
"I'm going to do the best I can to continue to improve our district," Russell said. "I think I hinted before, I really believe that our success isn't just the students, it's due to the teachers and the parents. They set really good examples for the students."
Weber said he wasn't at all surprised the vote came in as close as it did. Sprenger came into the candidacy with a strong positive approach, and the votes reflect that. Sprenger fell to Weber by 64 votes.
This election wasn't the first time either Weber or Russell has run with opposition. Weber recalls his first race, when several people threw their hats into the ring as a candidate. However, opposition or not, he said he doesn't change his campaign approach.
"I just try to focus on what I feel I can bring to the board and stay focused on that and try to stay positive," Weber said. "I don't have any agenda, and I try to be understanding of the processes of the board. I just really try to focus on what I can bring to the board and help with the district's needs. I learned a long time ago, you can control what you can control and put the rest in God's hands. I focus on what I can do and keep it at that."
He said he is very thankful to the voters for their trust in him and voting him in as a board member again.
"I feel blessed and very appreciative," he said. "And with children in the district and my wife teaching for 20 years, I'd much rather be involved and help (the district) be the best it can be instead of on the sidelines. I look forward to the next three years, and I'll try to move the district forward."
See additional election results in our Politics section.