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Five newcomers appear poised to take over a majority of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school board, a rare change in leadership for a district that educates more than 133,000 students, has a $1billion-plus budget and employs almost 20,000 people.
The new board will grapple with how to improve student assignment. They'll face tough questions about academic achievement, spending and school construction.
Eric Davis, a banker making his first run for public office, had the strongest early lead for Charlotte-Mecklenburg school board Tuesday.
With 40 of 43 precincts reporting, Davis held a 63 percent-37 percent lead over opponent Susan Walker in District 5.
Oddly, the closest race in early returns was one that was supposed to be uncontested. With 25 of 29 precincts reporting in the south/southwest District 2, retired teacher Richard McElrath held a 52-48 percent lead over appointee Kimberly Mitchell-Walker, who withdrew last week because of health reasons.
If Mitchell-Walker were to win, she'd have to decide whether to serve the term or resign and let the board appoint a replacement. She was appointed in January to replace Vilma Leake when Leake became a county commissioner. Leake supports McElrath.
Four or five new members will join three at-large members who didn't face election and District 4 representative Tom Tate, who had no opponent.
District incumbents tend to win re-election. But this year three incumbents, including board chair Molly Griffin, decided not to run. Two other long-time members resigned to become county commissioners in the past year.
The District 5 race, for the south Charlotte seat Griffin held for 12 years, has been the highest-profile, biggest-spending race.
Davis, a Wachovia engineer and unaffiliated voter making his first bid for office, had spent just over $40,500 as of last week. Susan Walker, a retired account executive and Republican, was second highest, spending about $13,300.
In the north suburban District 1, parent activist and Republican Rhonda Lennon had 47 percent of the vote, with 21 of 29 precincts in. Robin Bradford, a black Democrat running in a district that usually elects white Republicans, had 33 percent. Gail Summerskill, an educator and Democrat, had 19 percent.
The winner will replace Larry Gauvreau, the current board's most confrontational member. Lennon, who lost to Gauvreau four years ago, says she shares his belief in frugality and neighborhood schools but can work more effectively with other board members.
Retired educator Joyce Waddell held the early lead in a nine-person race to represent the east/northeastern District 3. With 27 of 30 precincts in, she had 31 percent of the vote. Next highest was Nicole Hudson with 19 percent.
James Ross, a Republican appointed to represent the majority-Democratic District 3 when George Dunlap became a county commissioner, was in the middle of the pack with 9 percent. Waddell and Hudson are Democrats.
In the southeast suburban District 6, where Ken Gjertsen didn't seek a second term, former construction-industry lobbyist Tim Morgan had 49 percent of the vote, with 28 of 32 precincts in. That put him well ahead of opponents John Ross (29 percent) and Terri Dickinson (22 percent).
All three candidates are political novices and Republicans; they agreed that they differ more on experience than issues.
