Rock Hill School Board Elections Yield Significant Changes
Rock Hill, SC – The Rock Hill region saw a competitive round of school board elections on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Voters across York, Lancaster, and Chester counties participated in the election, which was marked by the absence of official results until later in the week when the vote counts will be certified. With half of the school board seats across the region up for grabs, the stakes were high.
Election Outcomes
Among the key results, Montrio Belton secured 60% of the votes to defeat Matt Hiers, who garnered 40% for Seat 1. In another notable race, James Burns triumphed over incumbent Mildred Douglas, receiving 65% of the vote to Douglas’s 34% for Seat 3.
The race for Seat 5 was similarly competitive, with Melissa Harris emerging victorious with 49% of the vote, outpacing incumbent Windy Cole, who received 26%, and Corree Carelock, who gathered 25%.
In the at-large seat race, Jennifer Hutchinson received an impressive 67% compared to Fred Jordan’s 32%. An unexpired at-large seat saw Lacy Daniel take 38%, edging out Kevin Thompson with 32% and incumbent Bryan McAlinden with 30%.
Fort Mill School Board Results
The situation was no less intense in Fort Mill, where incumbents Anthony Boddie, Scott Frattaroli, and Kristy Spears managed to defeat several challengers. The top three candidates in votes will fill seats on the seven-member board. Kenda Cook received 63% to win over Nataly Burgio, who took 37%, for Seat 4. Incumbent Tracy Bell Stiff prevailed with 54% against Kevin Johnson’s 46% for an at-large seat.
Jessica Cody ran unopposed for Seat 3, while Chris Revels claimed his seat with an overwhelming 73% compared to Delandris Jones’s 27%.
Additional Details by District
Several districts in the Rock Hill area saw incumbents running unopposed, including Tyrom Faulkner in District 2 and Revery Johnson in District 4. Newcomer Scott Childers also ran unopposed for an at-large seat.
In District 6, Olivia Hann managed to win a tight three-way race, receiving 44% of the votes. Keith Snipes garnered 37% while Jeanna Rathel-White achieved 19%. Tara Thomas also secured the victory in District 1 with 62%, defeating Delores Ann Crockett who received 38%.
Voter Turnout
The turnout among registered voters was noteworthy. In York County, approximately 53% cast their ballots before election day. Lancaster County saw a slightly higher figure at 54%, while Chester County reported 45% participation in early or absentee voting. Overall, voter turnout surpassed 79% in each of the three counties.
What Comes Next
While these results capture the immediate outcomes of the elections, the full impact on governance and policy within the Rock Hill school system will be closely watched in the coming weeks. The seats filled by newly elected members may usher in changes in school policies and initiatives designed to enhance education in the region.
With all precincts reporting, the forthcoming certified results could solidify the shifts observed during this election cycle. Stakeholders and community members alike will be eager to see how these changes will play out in the school board’s future decisions.
