By Julianna Stephenson
Current Lexington School Board Chair Tammy Dunn was the top vote-getter at 9 p.m. Tuesday in the city’s first election of school board members.
Kasey Potter, Katie Masey and Meghan Ferguson were within 55 votes of each other, including ballots cast on Election Day, during early voting and mailed absentee ballots from within the United States. City officials said they are waiting on overseas ballots, which will come in by Friday.
Until this year, city council appointed school board members. In 2022, voters approved a referendum to elect the school board. Three of the five positions were up for election this year. The terms for the remaining two members will end in December 2026.
“I’m feeling great,” said Dunn, who was appointed to the board by council in 2019. “I’m just glad people trust me to do the job.”
As of last night, Potter was second in total votes. “I think I would be surprised either way,” she said. “For everyone, four people on three seats, obviously you’re hoping it’s you and wondering who you’ll be working with.”
Potter said she is ready to get to work. “I just want to educate myself,” she said. “I want to learn all the policies, talk to the parents, figure out what the greatest concerns, weaknesses and strengths are. I just want to dive right in.”
Potter said she is focused on improving the transition for students when they leave Lylburn Downing Middle School and enter Rockbridge County High School. She said students struggle because the schools use different grading software applications and email programs.
Dunn said the school board is already working on those issues.
Masey, a licensed therapist, could not be reached for comment. During a candidates’ forum in September, she said she is passionate about increasing parent engagement.
“I’m a parent that will go in and volunteer. I will have lunch,” she said. “Not all parents know that they can be that involved, and I think it’s a key piece to supporting our staff.”