Incumbent ousted and three newcomers elected in big turnout.
By: Kara Fitzpatrick
MONTGOMERY The fabric of the Board of Education will change markedly as a result of Tuesday’s dramatic school election.
Three newcomers Charles Jacey, David Pettit and Arun Rimal left Bill Hyncik, the sole incumbent, in the defeat column. They will join the board during the organization meeting Tuesday.
In a big turnout for a school election, with more than 33 percent of registered voters visiting the polls, Mr. Jacey garnered the most support with 2,569 votes. Mr. Pettit and Mr. Rimal received 2,547 and 1,853 votes, respectively. Mr. Hyncik received 1,744 votes.
"I’m disappointed," said Mr. Hyncik, who has served on the board for 13 years. "I would have liked the opportunity to continue to serve the community."
Mr. Hyncik added that he would not seek the board seat that will be empty after President Linda Romano’s departure later this month.
Ms. Romano has said in the past that a timetable misunderstanding at the time of her resignation resulted in her position being open after the school elections requiring the filling of the position by board appointment rather than through voter approval.
The three men who will take a seat on the board later this month are eager to begin, and they believe the community is ready for them to do so.
"Obviously, I’m very excited about the win and the opportunity," said Mr. Jacey. "I see this as an opportunity to restore district and board credibility with their constituents."
Mr. Pettit said, "I’m honored by the amount of support the voters showed to me," and he pledged to "work hard" on the board.
By defeating the budget and tossing out the second question, voters seemed eager for change, Mr. Rimal said.
"I look at this as people have spoken up," he said, adding, "I think we now need to look at this and learn how to get this right without hurting our children."
Mr. Pettit agreed that the public used the ballot box to take action.
"I think the message being sent is, ‘Business as usual is no longer acceptable,’" Mr. Pettit said. "New processes need to be put in place so that everybody in the community feels their needs are being met."
As a board member, Mr. Pettit promised to inspect each expense that comes before the district to make sure "every expenditure meets the test.
"When the costs are considered, (the board must) take into the account the impact it will have on the whole community," he said.

