Newark school board incumbents Tim Carr and Tom Bline, newcomer Cindy Neely elected
NEWARK – Cindy Neely admitted she was a little overwhelmed by the results.
But she's also ready to get to work, as the newest member of the Newark Board of Education.
In a race which created a lot of interest, with eight candidates seeking three open spots, Neely easily received the most votes with 6,897 on Tuesday, according to final unofficial results. She will join two incumbents who were re-elected, Tom Bline and board president Tim Carr, who received 3,812 and 3,770, respectively. Warren Weber, who was sixth with 2,851 votes, was not re-elected.
More: Licking County election results for Nov. 7, 2023, including Newark council, school board
"I was not expecting that. I am very humbled," said Neely, a 35-year Newark resident who graduated from Otterbein University with a bachelor's degree in business. She serves as vice president of retail banking at Park National Bank and has been with the bank for 22 years.
"I'm excited to serve with Tim and Tom, and other board members (the terms of Mark Christenberry and Mike Blowers expire at the end of 2025)," Neely said. "It's not just improving the schools; it's making sure we're prepared for the growth that's coming. Whether it's with the Intel piece or being successful in the community, we want to have our students ready.
"I know I'm just one new board member, but hopefully, I can bring new thought processes on how we're able to deal with all of the change," Neely said.
Carr has been a minister at Northside Baptist Church since September 1995, serving as senior pastor since October 2004. Appointed to the board in December 2008, he served one year. In November 2011, voters elected him the board for a four-year term. Since 2012, he has served on the board for the Career & Technology Education Centers of Licking County.
"I think Cindy will be a good addition, and I'm thrilled that so many people ran," Carr said. "I feel bad for Warren. I've been able to work with him for eight years, and he brought some different insight and perspective."
John Ault was fourth in the voting with 3,334; Shirley Betts-Hollins had 2,972; Marc Stephens 2,460 and Michael Wiley 1,995, according to final unofficial results.
Bline has been a certified public accountant since 1988 and works for the Defense Department. He owned and operated child care centers in the Newark/Heath area for 20 years and was appointed to the Newark school board in January 2007. In November of that year, voters elected him to a two-year term. After leaving the board in 2009, voters again elected him to a four-year term in 2011.
Carr is looking forward to continuing what the board has accomplished, and especially excited about the recent partnership announced between the district and Junior Achievement.
"We're talking about 15,000 to 18.000 square feet in the State Farm building, which will turn it into its own little city, and is certainly a good place for students," he said. "It's a privilege to be a part of this district, and I've always put the best interest of the kids at heart. Change is consistent in a school district, and we can always look to be better as a board."
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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Newark school board: Newcomer Neely, incumbents Carr, Bline elected
