George Ricks

Longtime education advocate George Ricks barely edged ahead of Gregg Juster by 10 votes Tuesday in an extremely close race for the District 4 seat on the Hamilton County Board of Education.

Mr. Ricks, 58, appeared to narrowly defeat Mr. Juster, who was running for the school board for the second time this year. All vote totals, which include federally mandated provisional ballots, are unofficial until certified by the Tennessee Division of Elections.

“I’m definitely going to continue doing what’s best for kids,” Mr. Ricks said.

Mr. Ricks becomes the second black man on the nine-member board and represents nine downtown schools in neighborhoods including Alton Park, Bushtown, Avondale and Clifton Hills.

The District 4 seat was up for election following the death of longtime board member Debra Matthews shortly before she was to take office again in August. The position has been vacant since then.

Mr. Juster, a retired businessman, lost his bid for the seat for the second time. Mr. Juster, who said Ms. Matthews “stole” the election in August, said as a white man, it appeared he could not win in the predominantly black district. But he said Tuesday night he was unsure if he will ask for a recount.

“I would hold no ill will if I lost,” he said. “I’m a white conservative running in a black liberal district.”

Chattanooga State math professor Anita Polk-Conley, who looks to have come in a close third place, was unavailable for comment late Tuesday.

M. Fran Pierce, a stay-at-home mother, came in last place and said her first run for public office likely would be her last.

“I’m just hoping that District 4 really put the right person in there,” she said. “I’m sorry they didn’t see fit for a parent of today’s students to be in there.”

If he proves the winner, Mr. Ricks will serve a four-year term. Along with a yearly salary of $10,372, he can receive up to $100 per month in mileage reimbursement at the federal rate of 58.5 cents per mile for school business.