Homemaker and retired schoolteacher Kathie L. Dalton narrowly defeated longtime political office-holder Golden C. Sill and write-in candidate Rick Austin for the District 4 seat on the Davis County Board of Education.
Dalton will replace former school board president Louenda Downs, who did not run again.Dalton gained 4,032 votes, while Sill received 2,847 and Austin got 2,240.
Austin's 14-vote loss in the primary race prompted him to try again in the general election.
In the campaign, Austin emphasized that his status as a non-educator would bring a fresh perspective, a parental viewpoint and a business outlook to the board.
Dalton said she wanted the school board to encourage more parental involvement in education and to lobby for better equalization of funds on a statewide level.
Dalton also said she has the time to devote to school board matters and the ability to listen, think for herself and not be swayed once she makes an informed decision.
Sill has considerable name recognition as former Layton mayor and City Council member, but that did not carry the day in the school board race. He also is a former teacher and principal.
He said his knowledge of the political process and educational issues would serve the district well.
In District 5, political newcomer Cheryl Phipps defeated another first-time office seeker, LaMont Jensen.
They were vying for the seat vacated by former board member Robert Thurgood, who did not run again.
Phipps received 4,840 votes while Jensen got 3,562.
Phipps, who has been heavily involved in PTA work and tutors low-income children in Chapter 1 schools, said these activities gave her insights into what parents want and need for their youngsters.
In her PTA role, Phipps has lobbied the Legislature extensively and said she has a good relationship with Davis County legislators.
During the campaign, Jensen emphasized his longtime career in education. He is the district's science curriculum coordinator and previously was a science teacher for 29 years. The fast-growing Davis district is dealing with booming residential development, crowded classrooms, more at-risk students and not enough money.