Rock Hill School Board Elections: Results and Voter Turnout
Rock Hill witnessed a significant turnout during Tuesday’s school board elections, with results now largely finalized though awaiting official certification later this week. The elections, which took place on November 5, 2024, were critical as half of the school board seats across York, Lancaster, and Chester counties were contested, with voters also considering important school bond matters.
Voter Participation
In York County, approximately 53% of registered voters took to the polls before election day. Lancaster County reported an even higher participation rate at 54%, while Chester County had 45% of its registered voters submitting early or absentee ballots. These figures reflect a strong engagement from the community regarding the future of their schools.
Seat Election Results
Key results emerged from the elections. In the contest for Seat 1, Montrio Belton claimed victory with 60% of the vote against Matt Hiers, who received 40%. For Seat 3, James Burns led with 65%, defeating incumbent Mildred Douglas, who managed 34%. In a competitive race for Seat 5, Melissa Harris emerged victorious with 49%, overcoming both incumbent Windy Cole with 26% and Corree Carelock at 25%.
In the at-large seat race, Jennifer Hutchinson holds a strong lead with 67% of the vote against Fred Jordan at 32%, while Lacy Daniel leads for an unexpired at-large seat with 38%, followed closely by Kevin Thompson at 32% and incumbent Bryan McAlinden with 30%.
Fort Mill School Board Outcomes
The Fort Mill area also had significant results to report. Incumbents Anthony Boddie, Scott Frattaroli, and Kristy Spears each secured their positions against challengers Ellen Abramo, Michelle Hoffman, and Denise Casey. In seat 4, Kenda Cook received 63% of the votes, surpassing Nataly Burgio’s 37%.
Incumbent Tracy Bell Stiff narrowly defeated Kevin Johnson for an at-large seat by 54% to 46%. Another election highlight included Chris Revels, who led with 73% over Delandris Jones at 27% for Seat 3. Furthermore, several incumbents, like Wade Anderson and Thomas Wilkerson, ran unopposed, solidifying their roles.
District-Specific Results
Several district races were notably competitive. Olivia Hann won District 6 with 44% of the votes against Keith Snipes at 37% and Jeanna Rathel-White with 19%. In District 2, Tyrom Faulkner ran unopposed, as did Revery Johnson in District 4. Finally, Tara Thomas secured 62% of the vote in District 1, defeating Delores Ann Crockett, who managed 38%.
Looking Ahead
As the community awaits the official certification of these results, the outcomes are expected to influence the direction of the Rock Hill educational landscape significantly. With numerous incumbents retaining their positions and several new faces entering the board, the upcoming years will be critical for local schools.
