Results tabulated so far in two of four races for Morgan Hill Unified School District Board of Trustees’ seats show clear preferences for board newcomer Terri Eves Knudsen and incumbent John Horner.
The other two races are too close to call with uncounted votes still outstanding, with the incumbents in danger of losing their seats on the board of education.
In MHUSD Trustee Area 1, two candidates are separated by less than 30 votes. Nancy Altman-Palm has received about 51%, or 1,132 votes counted as of late Nov. 8, according to the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters website. Incumbent Wendy Sullivan trails with about 49%, or 1,108 votes.
The registrar’s site reports that only 81% of voting precincts within the trustee area have reported results.
In Trustee Area 2, Horner appears to be cruising toward reelection to his second term, with 65%, or 1,368 votes. Challenger James Dill has gained about 35% of the votes counted so far.
Trustee Area 3 saw a three-way race with no incumbent, with retired educator Terri Eves Knudsen ahead of the pack with about 43% of the tallied votes. She is trailed by candidates Dennis Delisle (29%) and Armando Benavides (28%).
And in MHUSD Trustee Area 4, incumbent Carol Gittens is locked in a tight race with Pamela Gardiner, who leads with about 54% of the counted vote as of late Nov. 8, according to elections officials.
Horner said he expects his lead to hold up, and he is ready to face what promises to be growing challenges—mostly related to funding and revenue in the school district over the next four years.
“I appreciate the community’s confidence in me, which seems to be expressed pretty clearly,” Horner said. “I’m grateful and humble, and ready to do whatever I can to meet our community’s needs.”
Knudsen could not be immediately contacted for comment. She previously told this newspaper she has 25 years’ experience “as a parent, volunteer and employee of the school district.” That includes volunteering and raising money for home and school clubs, approving plans and budgets for site councils and experience as a teacher librarian for Britton Middle School as well as Live Oak and Sobrato High Schools.
She has also served as Treasurer for the Morgan Hill Federation of Teachers.
