John Ruth, 25, was the youngest of the four candidates seeking to fill three seats on Jefferson City's Board of Education.
But, in unofficial totals from Cole and Callaway counties, Ruth received 6,064 total votes, 657 more than incumbent Marie Peoples, who captured 5,377 votes.
Peoples was running for her first full three-year term, after the rest of the board chose her last year to complete the final year of Brad Scrivner's term, after UMB Bank transferred Scrivner to Tulsa, Okla.
Incumbent Tami Turner, seeking her third three-year term, took third place with 5,161 votes. Larry D. Henry Jr. captured 3,891 votes.
Ruth succeeds current board president Duane Schreimann, who chose not to run for another term after serving nine years.
The three winners will take their oaths of office when the board reorganizes Monday night.
Other election stories today:
Jefferson City voters take trash issue to curb
Two incumbents re-elected to Jefferson City council
Walker, Stumpe get the nod for JC municipal court positions
Holts Summit approves sewer bond
Cole County school districts, towns pick officials
Siegel re-elected to Board of Aldermen in New Bloomfield
Two new school board members chosen at New Bloomfield
Incumbents return to South Callaway School Board, Laughlin takes open seat