By Stephen Ward

As the final votes are tallied, Douglas County School District trustee candidates can finally unravel their anxieties after a drawn-out period of uncertainty.

Voters are sending Sharla Hales and Tom Moore back to the board. Ross Chichester will take over Keith Roman’s seat. Roman did not seek another term.

In the race for Area 2, after being narrowly split for the majority of the night, is expected to be seized incumbent Sharla Hales, who leads in the unofficial results by 43 votes. She has 8,479 votes, or 50.13 percent, compared to Scott Forvilly’s 49.87 percent or 8,436 votes.

Hales told Lake Tahoe News as polls began to close that she has a tight focus on student achievement, along with the accountability of everyone.

“My priority in the coming year will be holding people accountable,” she said.

According to Hales this is something she has done successfully in the past, mentioning her 2008 revision of superintendent examinations. Being instrumental in this initiative is what she considered as one of her biggest accomplishments.

“The old procedure was a big, general process,” she said. “Now, it has a lot more to do with student numbers and how they respond to different aspects.”

Results for Area 6 show incumbent Moore over challenger Wayne Archer with 8,086 votes (51.12 percent). Archer trailed by 354 votes.

Moore could not be reached for comment.

Area 7 of the Douglas County school board goes to Ross Chichester with 54.36 or 9,279 votes compared to Jeanette Turnbeaugh’ 45 percent or 7,790 votes.

Chichester was excited by his lead when interviewed earlier in the night, and was quick to explain his objectives for the future.

“First and foremost, I think we need to reunite the school board,” he said. “We need to make sure we do the right thing for kids. The biggest challenge in the Legislature will be to act responsibly.”

Former Area 7 Trustee Keith Roman is stepping down for personal reasons after 10 years. In an interview with Lake Tahoe News, Roman urged the new board of trustees to tailor students to the demands of the 21st century.

“We need to concentrate on educating kids by implementing media systems and preparing them for the 21st century,” Roman said. “We also need to produce kids that know something, and who have an idea as to what they want to be when they grow up.”