Modesto, Sylvan school boards undecided

The races for the Modesto City Schools board and Sylvan Union board are too close to call and will remain in limbo possibly into next week, Stanislaus County's top election official said Wednesday.

For Modesto City Schools, incumbent Steve Grenbeaux and attorney Cathy Flores Hallinan appeared to have comfortable leads. However, the third and final seat in that race is not decided. Amy Neumann stood 98 votes ahead of Solange Altman early Wednesday.

Last-minute absentee and provisional ballots still might sway that contest. County Clerk-Recorder Lee Lundrigan said nearly 15,000 ballots remain to be counted, nearly a third of all ballots cast.

In the nine-candidate Modesto City race, poll numbers show many people voted for fewer than three candidates. Lundrigan said Wednesday that's to be expected in a high-visibility race.

"This race had a lot of action. The candidates were very active, which means many of them probably had a following. A lot of people would vote for just the one candidate they followed," she said.

In the Sylvan race, incumbent David Collins appeared headed for another term. Jennifer Miyakawa held a 112-vote lead over Chuck Rivera for the second of two seats, still too close to call.

Collins said he's ready to get back to work. "It takes a lot of time and energy to run a campaign, and I'm looking forward to directing all that energy back towards the district," he said.

Political newcomer Mi-yakawa said, "This has been an amazingly intense as well as profound educational experience for me." Public life, she added, "is not always the easiest road to travel. … I am anxious, as is every district, for news from Sacramento relative to midyear cuts and how that will affect our district in the short and long term."

The Dec. 15 budget news may bring difficult decisions for whichever candidate gains the seat.

"The wait for results, of course, is excruciating and a testament to the value of every vote," Miyakawa said.

Grenbeaux said he truly knows the value of every vote, having won an earlier election by one vote after four recounts, and won't consider his seat secure until the final tally. This will be his fifth term. "It'll be a strong board," Grenbeaux said.

The outgoing Modesto City board meets next week for the last time, said board President Sue Zwahlen. "We'll say our goodbyes this coming Monday, and (the new members) will be in their seats on Dec. 12," she said.

"I'm really looking forward to working with this group. They are all excellent communicators, and that is huge when working on a board. We have a new superintendent and a new board and we'll hit the ground running," Zwahlen said.

Board Vice President Rubén Villalobos said however the final votes fall, he's pleased.

"I look forward to working with our new school board members. Cathy's career in child advocacy and Steve's institutional knowledge will both serve the board well. Amy and Solange have both been active parents and members of the community, and either will round out the board well," Villalobos said Wednesday.

Bee education reporter Nan Austin can be reached at naustin@modbee.com or (209) 578-2339.