Howard County school board incumbents Janet Siddiqui and Ellen Flynn Giles and newcomer Allen Dyer clung to razor-thin leads with 46 percent of precincts reporting at midnight.
Howard’s race was the major contested school board race in the region, where a crowded field of six competed for only three positions on the eight-member board.
Siddiqui was running first with 21.3 percent of the vote, Giles was second with 19.9 percent and Dyer followed with 19.2 percent.
Siddiqui and Giles, are poised to continue as members, having secured endorsements from the Howard County Education Association, along with Dyer, a lawyer and computer consultant.
Other hopefuls include home school teacher Diane Butler of Ellicott City, who followed at a close fourth with 18.8 percent, retired business owner and teacher Betsy Grater and Di Zou of Glenwood, a student at the University of Maryland.
“I feel good from the support I’ve gotten from people and it’s very encouraging — I’ve had people tell me they’re only following the teachers’ endorsement,” said Siddiqui, who campaigned at several elementary school polling locations on Tuesday.
“I’m excited it’s been a big turnout.”
The candidates’ supporters hoped the turnout proves to be beneficial.
“For the first time, I saw so much excitement,” said Howard resident Dawn Audia, who supported Siddiqui.
“People were waving their hands and honking their horns.”
Rick Conover, who was supporting his mother-in-law, Grater, said it was evident new voters came out because many slowed down and did double-takes when approaching Swansfield Elementary School, a popular polling location.
“The morning was very, very busy until about 8:30, and then it was steady throughout the day,” he said.
Over recent years, many issues have plagued the school system, but closing the achievement gap between minority students and other student groups has been one of Superintendent Sydney Cousin’s top priorities.
“Targeted interventions, including preparatory and tutorial classes, co-teaching and after-school programs are making a difference, but expansion of needs-based supports and neighborhood and family connections are essential for continuous improvement,” Giles told the Examiner.
