The candidate Janet Burks trailed by 270 votes, collecting 40.21% of the vote. The incumbent Lloyd Williford acquired 15.79%.

According to the Warren County Public School Website, the seat represents general areas served by Cumberland Trace Elementary; by portions of Alvaton, Briarwood and Natcher elementary schools; and by parts of Drakes Creek Middle School and Greenwood High School.

“I’m really honored and humbled to have won, really grateful for the opportunity and really eager to get started on the school board,” said Kash, a longtime program manager at the international education company Pearson and a former full-time teaching assistant at Briarwood Elementary School.

Asked about her first areas of focus, Kash referenced her top two campaign priorities:

“My main focus will be looking at ways to improve achievement for all students, and looking at the gaps in achievement and seeing what we can do to reduce those gaps. And of course, school safety is always a priority.”

Burks and Williford showed class.

“It was a good race,” said Burks, a 31-year teacher and decadelong school guidance counselor who had run last year against then-city school board candidate Cierra Waller on a platform of restoring conservative values.

“I can’t think of anybody that wasn’t welcoming when I went to their homes or talked to them on the phone … I wish I could have won, but I didn’t …

I wish Ms. Kash the best. I’m sure she’ll be excellent.”

Added Williford, a financial adviser of more than 20 years, “It has been an honor to serve on the WCPS Board the past five years. I would like to congratulate Ms. Kash on her victory and would hope she would continue the school board work with consensus.

“After all, it’s all about the kids. To the Warren County residents, I can say with certainty that Warren County Public Schools is a first-class educational operation.”