HUNTINGTON -- The two incumbents for the Cabell County School Board had secured leads with 60 of 72 precincts reporting Tuesday.
According to unofficial returns, Suzanne McGinnis Oxley was leading with more than 25 percent of the vote in an effort to retain her seat in District 2. Ted Barr, battling newcomers Nancy Newfeld and longtime maintenance worker Garland Parsons, started to pull away as more precincts were reported at the Cabell County Courthouse. He had a 1,000-plus vote lead over his closest competitor for the second spot.
Oxley said continuity is a good thing for the upcoming term because of all that is going on in the county, from new schools being built to the impending decision on consolidating Enslow and Beverly Hills middle schools.
"A lot of good things have been happening, and I think the public is aware of that," Oxley said. "There's been so much work done by this board. ... I think the board wants to do what is best for everyone."
Oxley was leading former Cabell County superintendent Jerry Brewster for the District 2 seat in a race that seemed to be over fairly quickly.
The same could not be said for the second seat, with Barr eventually building a lead over Newfeld and Parsons.
"I think the voters thought the present board is working together," Barr said. "We're not fighting with each other or with the superintendent."
Barr also said continuity is important, and he said the voters understood that.
"The continuity will be to the benefit of the taxpayers and the children who will be attending our new schools," Barr said.
Albert Clark, who was running as a District 3 candidate, stayed at the courthouse for most of the night, but he conceded his loss after about half the precincts were reported.
"I'm still going to fight, and in two years, I can come back and go again," Clark said.
Clark said although the voters had a lot of issues to deal with when it came to the school board, he said money plays a large part in getting your name out there.
"I didn't have a whole lot of money, and I funded it on my own," Clark said, adding that not being able to attend the candidate forums hurt his chances. "The public wasn't able to see who I was."
Larry Carrico, also running in District 3, and the lone District 5 candidate George Watson were also behind in the race for just two open seats.
"I thought I ran a really strong campaign," said Watson, a Marshall University education professor. "I'm going to recharge my battery and we'll see (about the next election in two years) when it comes."
The two winners in Tuesday's election will take office on July 1.
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