NEW CUMBERLAND - Two current members of the Hancock County Board of Education will remain in office following Tuesday's election.
According to unofficial election results from the Hancock County Clerk's office, incumbents Jerry L. Durante and Patsy T. Brancazio received 3,086 and 3,183 votes, respectively. Challenger Michelle Chappell received 2,931 votes.
No Republicans filed to seek a position on the school board meaning Durante and Brancazio will automatically be named the election's winners once the votes are certified.
Neither Durante nor Brancazio could be reached for comment following the release of the election results Tuesday night, which were delayed as a result of a power outage in Weirton and some technical issues with voting machines in the county.
Durante has served on the Hancock County Board of Education for 18 years. During his time, he worked with other members of the board to upgrade curriculum and provide new technology to keep pace with newer 21st century learning methods.
Brancazio previously stated the board is looking at ways to improve the county's graduation rate, and he believes offering additional vocational-style classes will encourage students to stay in school.
