In what many considered the school board race to watch, longtime incumbent Everett Fairchild beat three opponents Thursday to again represent District 3.
The victory gives the 80-year-old his fourth term on the Hamilton County Board of Education.
"I'm very humbled. It's been a hard campaign, and I'm glad it's over," he said. "I look at the school board as a service, not as a political office. I've met a lot of wonderful people ... I just plan to continue trying to respond to their needs and make our school system one we can be proud of."
Fairchild beat Marty Haynes, Ken Smith and Tony Westendorf to maintain his seat. District 3 is made up of eight schools in the Hixson and Big Ridge area.
The closest race came in District 8 where former Hamilton County principal David Testerman had a slight lead over local author Dean Arnold at press time.
Testerman said his stomach was "still in knots" as he drove around his district, picking up his campaign signs at 10 p.m. Assuming he maintained his lead, Testerman said his first order of business would be to talk with principals, teachers and members of his community to see what they'd like for him to address on the school board.
District 8 encompasses the community of East Ridge and has seven schools.
In the school board race with the most candidates, Mike Evatt, a former longtime school system employee, defeated five opponents in District 9. Karen Farrow came in second, followed by Caleb Long, Gary Potter, Timothy Stephenson and Marchetta Cannon.
"Our school system and our school board has a very poor perception with the public; there are a lot of morale issues," Evatt said. "I want to bring a more positive approach to it. I want to see our system flourish."
District 9 is located in the eastern end of the county and includes 11 schools in the Apison and Ooltewah areas.
Joe Galloway, retired former coach and administrator at Lookout Valley Middle-High School, beat Gary Patterson to represent District 6. He said he plans to begin visiting the seven schools in his district, spread out through North and East Chattanooga, as well as Lookout Valley, within the next week to talk with principals.
"I am thrilled. I've been in education all my life and this is just another side," said Galloway. "I am looking forward to getting to know the folks on the board and the superintendent. I want to bring some unity to the school board."
Jeffrey Wilson will keep his District 5 seat. The eight schools in District 5 are located in the Brainerd and Highway 58 neighborhoods. Wilson, who ran unopposed for the seat, now will begin his second board term.
Thursday's winners will begin their official duties in September, schools spokeswoman Danielle Clark said.
Board terms are four years. Board members earn a yearly salary of $10,372.70 and are eligible to pay the employee rate for school system insurance benefits, Clark said.
Staff writer Joan Garrett contributed to this story.
Follow Kelli Gauthier on Twitter at twitter.com/gauthierkelli.
DISTRICT 3
95.5 percent of precincts reporting
Everett Fairchild: 2,879
Marty Haynes: 2,282
Ken Smith: 1,676
Tony Westendorf: 135
DISTRICT 5
95.7 percent of precincts reporting
Jeffrey Wilson: 2,585
DISTRICT 6
95.8 percent of precincts reporting
Joe Galloway: 1,796
Gary Patterson: 765
DISTRICT 8
94.7 percent of precincts reporting
David Testerman: 1,691
Dean Arnold: 1,632
Andrew Mullins: 839
DISTRICT 9
94.7 percent of precincts reporting
Mike Evatt: 2,834
Karen Farrow: 1,439
Gary Potter: 833
Caleb Long: 664
Timothy Stephenson: 232
Marchetta Cannon: 159
Source: Hamilton County Election Commission
Follow this link to our Tennessee Elections 2010 website