Three incumbents and two political newcomers won seats on Deer Lakes School Board in Tuesday’s election, knocking a fourth incumbent out of office, according to unofficial election results.

Cross-filed newcomer Cristy McCloskey, 46, of West Deer, emerged as the top vote-getter with 19.9% of the votes counted, the results showed.

Cross-filed incumbent Larry Neidig, 41, of West Deer, finished second with 19% of the votes. Rounding out the field of winners were cross-filed newcomer Sam Smallwood, 21, of West Deer, with 18.4% of the votes; cross-filed incumbent Louis “Corky” Buck III, 67, of East Deer, 17.2%; and Republican incumbent William A. LuPone Jr., 60, of West Deer, 13%.

Democratic incumbent Jodi Banyas-Galecki, 53, of Frazer, finished last with 12.2% of the votes counted, according to the results.

McCloskey said the results surprised her, but she is ready to get to work. She said she’ll start by reviewing district policies so she can make informed decisions.

“I would love the opportunity to speak with teachers, students, administrators, and community members regarding their thoughts and feelings on the district and just gathering information,” McCloskey said.

“Being a new board member, I just need time to learn about everything that comes with the position before I am able to address any single agenda item,” she added.

Smallwood, a 2017 Deer Lakes graduate, said he wants to “make an impact on the Deer Lakes community and make the difference that I was hoping that the school board would make for me during my time as a student.”

Buck, who is completing his first term, said he is looking forward to continuing work already started.

“We have a great administration, a great faculty and a great board that we’re working with now,” Buck said. “Hopefully the new members will continue to work with us.”

Deer Lakes serves students from East Deer, Frazer and West Deer. Board members are elected at-large to four-year terms.

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