Livingston Parish School Board President Cecil Harris beat businessman Chris Taylor in an election of change versus consistency, while incumbent Jeff Frizell beat Philana Webb for the School Board District 3 seat.
Harris and Frizell were each reelected by strong margins, according to complete but unofficial election returns.
The two seats were the only spots on the nine-member School Board that were contested in .
The board oversees the administration of the state's ninth-ranked school district with nearly 24,800 students, more than 3,800 employees and an annual budget of more than $397 million, district data show.聽
Harris, a Denham Springs native, ran for his third term representing District 5 by promoting his support for recent expansions at Denham Springs High and promising more. Harris is the founder of an educational publishing company. Harris won 58% of the votes.
Taylor,聽chief operating officer of Shamrock Marine, advocated for belt tightening, less extravagent athletic upgrades at Denham Springs High and greater transparency for voters.
Financing teacher pay raises was a key issue in the District 5 race between two Republicans. While Taylor opposed a new one-cent sales tax for teacher raises and finding the money in the existing budget, Harris said he remained open to the option of a tax.聽
In the District 3 race, Frizell, a Republican and former longtime school system teacher and administrator, won a second term with 78% of the votes. He said finding a way to give teachers a raise would be one of the board's jobs for the next four years.聽
Webb, a Denham Springs resident, ran on improving evaluations and support for students with disabilities and other exceptionalities. She listed no party.聽