A Mount Airy activist and an incumbent grabbed commanding leads in the race for two seats on the Carroll school board.
Jennifer Seidel, a parent who has fought for renovations to Mount Airy schools, campaigned with supporters all day Tuesday, much of it in the freezing rain. Her efforts paid off when nearly 30 percent of voters cast ballots for her.
“I was surprised, but we received a lot of positive feedback,” Seidel said. “I knew when I was out [Tuesday] it was going to be a good night.”
“I think the fact that I?m a parent, I have a background in education is helpful,” Seidel added. “The fact that I?ve said I really want to sit at that table and I want to ask questions and represent the people who voted me in was helpful too.”
Cynthia Foley, who has served three years on the board and recently became president, earned 26 percent of votes.
She ran, she said, because her experience could help fulfill the board?s goals to improve student achievement and get the most out of the school system?s money, facilities and teachers.
“Her name was familiar, and I knew she was on the board,” said Rosemary Broussard, a Woodbine resident who voted for Foley. “My grandchildren are in the schools, and I think we have a good schools system.”
Jeffrey Morse, a teacher in Littlestown, Pa., who was appointed last spring by then-Gov. Robert Ehrlich to fill a vacancy on the board, captured about 15 percent of votes, and Barry Potts, head of the county?s teachers union, also won about 15 percent, enough to stay in the running in the November general election.
Jeff Sheehan and Draper Phelps were knocked out of the contest with only 11 percent and 3 percent, respectively.
Sheehan was charged with second-degree assault this month after allegedly fighting with a county music teacher, and Phelps? parents were granted a protective order against him after he allegedly threatened to kill his father, according to court records.
