Four incumbents get School Board seats

Elizabeth Hutchins will serve four more years representing the Cedar Mountain District on the Culpeper County School Board, and Bob Houck will complete the remaining two years of a vacated term in West Fairfax.

Hutchins received 65.6 percent of the vote during Tuesday’s election, defeating Richard Goff for a second straight election.

“I’m feeling good (but) tired. It’s been a long day,” Hutchins said. “I’m looking forward to serving another four years working for the children, the citizens of my district and the county.”

Houck received 67.4 percent of the vote, beating John Cerio.

“I just want to thank everybody that supported me, and I ask that you continue to support the school system,” Houck said immediately after the results.

The School Board unanimously appointed Houck in August to replace former member Jimmy Lee, who announced his resignation in May. This is Hutchins’ third term on the School Board and Houck’s first.

Goff, 61, vows to run a third time four years from now, while Cerio has no plans to run again.

Two School Board candidates, George Dasher (Stevensburg) and Leanne Jenkins (Jefferson) were uncontested.

This will be Dasher’s second term and Jenkins’ third. Dasher has been board chairman for the past two years, a post that is appointed each January.

All six candidates spent Tuesday visiting the polls and greeting voters.

The new four-year terms begin Jan. 1. The School Board chairman earns $8,200 annually, while the other board members make $7,000.