news-record.com

GREENSBORO - The battle for the two contested school board seats ended with a third term for board member Darlene Garrett and a seat for newcomer Sandra Alexander, according to complete but unofficial results.

Four other candidates, including two incumbents, ran uncontested.

"It just makes me more determined than ever to get more done for our schools," Garrett said of her win.

Garrett, 54, beat Oak Ridge manufacturing supervisor Mike Stone with more than 60 percent of the vote for the District 3 seat. Stone lost to Garrett in 2000 as well. Stone said he will support Garrett and continue his efforts to help improve the county school system.

"I've spent the last six weeks talking my head off about things I care about," Stone said. "I'm not going to disappear."

Garrett, a Greensboro homemaker, said she considers her seat on the board a full-time job, noting her opponent worked a full-time job, and campaigned on her experience. She said with this victory she will return to the board to fight for better working conditions for teachers.

"Because that what will improve the learning at schools," Garrett said, her voice raspy from a cold and campaigning all day at the polls.

The At-Large seat pitted two political newcomers against one another with former N.C. A&T professor Sandra Alexander winning with more than 61 percent of the vote. Alexander, 61, beat High Point banker Michael McKinney. The seat is being vacated by long-time board member Dot Kearns.

Alexander said her victory is a call for change.
"I think it speaks to the citizens desire for serious change to how we do business in Guilford County," she said.

Alexander campaigned on improving the climate in schools and closing the achievement gap between African American students and their white counterparts. To close the gap Alexander proposes the creation of same-sex schools as well as more rigorous testing of students in the early grades, including Pre-K.

"As a new board member I will be focusing on helping our teachers have high expectations for all our students," she said.

McKinney could not be reached for comment late Tuesday.
The newly elected board members will be welcomed by the current board during the regular meeting Nov. 13.

Contact J. Brian Ewing at 373-7351 or brian.ewing@news-record.com