5 Win 5 Seats On Fairfax City School Board; School Bond Passes

Updated: 11:42 p.m. Tuesday

FAIRFAX CITY, VA — With all polls reporting, Carolyn S. Pitches garnered the most votes in the Fairfax City School Board race on Tuesday, according to unofficial results from the Virginia Board of Elections.

Five candidates ran for five seats on the school board, three newcomers, Lauren Bartelme, Sarah Kelsey, and Kristina M. Cecere and two incumbents, Amit Hickman and Carolyn Pitches.

Fairfax City School Board

• Carolyn S. Pitches*: 2,224 votes (22.13%)
• Kristina M. Cecere: 1,948 votes (19.38%)
• Sarah M. Kelsey: 2,085 votes (20.75%)
• Amit S. Hickman*: 1,805 votes (17.96%)
• Lauren A. Bartelme: 1,829 votes (18.20%)
• Write-In: 159 votes (1.58%)

*Incumbent

A majority of Fairfax City voted in support of the public schools bond that was on Tuesday's ballot, with 2,984 (67.21%) voting for and 1,456 (32.79%) voting against, according to unofficial results.

• Public Schools Bond: Shall the City of Fairfax, Virginia, contract a debt, borrow money, and issue its general obligation bonds in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $220,000,000 to provide funds, together with other funds, to undertake a program. (Yes/No)

Bartelme has nine years of experience as classroom educator, including three years in Fairfax County. She earned a bachelor of science in physics from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a masters of arts in teaching from Johns Hopkins University.

Cecere is an education data specialist with 12 years experience as a classroom teacher. She earned a B.S. from Clemson University; M.Ed. from George Mason University; and M.P.P. from Georgetown University.

Hickman, the vice chair of the current City of Fairfax School Board, has more than 20 years of experience in early childhood education and outpatient mental health. She earned an MSW and M.Ed. in curriculum and instruction (early childhood) from George Mason University.

For full coverage of the election in Virginia, go here.

Carolyn Pitches, who chairs the current school board, has 27 years as a teacher/math specialist. She earned a bachelor of arts degree in elementary education, Virginia Tech Master's Degree in Education, George Mason University Virginia teaching certification elementary and middle grades K-8 and school counseling K-12.

Read More About The Candidates Running In Fairfax City

• Poll Fuels Debate Over Partisan Vs. Nonpartisan Elections In Fairfax
• Partisan Or Nonpartisan Election: How Fairfax City Ballots Differ
• Lauren Bartelme Runs For Fairfax City School Board: Candidate Profile
• Carolyn Pitches Runs For Fairfax City School Board: Candidate Profile
• Amit Hickman Running For Fairfax City School Board: Candidate Profile
• Fairfax City Democrats Endorse 4 Candidates In 2024 Election
• Full Slate Of Candidates On Nov. 5 Ballot In Fairfax City Election