Voter discontent with controversial decisions of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school board might have been the spark to catapult political newcomers Ericka Ellis-Stewart and Mary McCray to the top of the race for three at-large seats. Tim Morgan, a two-year veteran on the board representing southern Mecklenburg's District 6, was the third winner.

Both Ellis-Stewart and McCray were outspoken critics of the board on issues that created rifts in the community - Ellis-Stewart challenged the closing of schools in poor neighborhoods and McCray fought against a teacher pay-for-performance plan. The school board badly mishandled both of those issues, and voters apparently did not forget.

Regardless of the motivation, voters made astute choices in picking all three. Of the 14 seeking seats on the board, they were among those showing the most promise to be the committed, engaged and collaborative leaders this community needs to set school policy and help all students maximize their academic potential.

They'll be forced to get to work quickly on some difficult decisions. Chief among them is hiring a new school superintendent to replace Peter Gorman, who left last summer. Gorman helped the district make great academic strides during his five years. But school board policies and direction will be key to building on that progress - at a much quicker clip.

Voters wisely picked board members whose backgrounds, knowledge and skills can help CMS achieve that. All have expressed a passion for education, a commitment to public service and an ability to work cooperatively with others for the good of all students. The public will be watching to make sure they make good on their words.

The three winners come with assets that the nine-member board should use adroitly. Ellis-Stewart, a vocal children's advocate for years, has valuable knowledge about dropouts from her nonprofit work with a dropout prevention program. Morgan has shown a willingness to chuck partisanship and be a bridge builder.

We didn't endorse McCray. But the retired teacher and former head of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Association of Educators has been a vocal advocate for children and teachers. She knows the issues and the school system well.

With Morgan's election to an at-large seat, the school board has an opportunity to replace him in District 6 with someone similarly willing to be a bridge-builder and committed to policies that help all students achieve their potential. We encourage them to do so when they fill that seat in the next month or so.

This election ends the tenure of three veterans - Kaye McGarry, Trent Merchant and Joe White - who did not seek reelection. Being a school board member is not easy. Those taking on the job deserve thanks for their commitment.

The new board members will soon discover how thankless the work can seem. But they should have no doubt that school board members provide invaluable service to this community and its students.

The board must hire a new superintendent who can build on successes and do so when resources are tight. It also must rebuild community trust lost last year after those controversial teacher-pay and school closing decisions.

These new members must help the board address these and other issues effectively. Students and this community are depending on it.