Two-time incumbent Helen D. Spade and challenger John C. Hoffman Jr. topped Democratic and Republican vote getters respectively in North Hills School Board primary voting on May 16. They are among 10 total candidates moving on to November’s general election.

With 97.5% of precincts reporting, Spade was first with 2,623 votes on the Democratic ticket, followed by incumbents Phil Little with 2,585 and Rachael Rennebeck with 2,361 and challengers Ashley Stephens with 2,123 and Samantha Ellwood with 2,109. All move on to the Democratic ballot for the general election in November.

“We ran as a team and we won as a team,” Spade said. “I’d like to thank everyone who voted for me.”

Spade, who previously worked for the North Hills School District, was first elected to the school board in 2015. If she receives enough votes in the general election, she will be serving her third term.

On the Republican ticket, four of the top five vote getters were challengers led by Hoffman with 1,503 votes followed by Dana Merlino with 1,403, April Lynn Casey with 1,333, Traci L. Brown with 1,285 and incumbent Kathryn Poniatowski with 1,244. They advance to the Republican ballot for the general election in November.

“I’m very honored to be selected by the voters,” Hoffman said. “There’s always room for improvement in the quality of education. I want proven, evaluated curriculum for the students. As far as the biggest challenge, it’s keeping spending under control.”

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