ConVal’s school board incumbent for the town of Bennington edged out a competitor to snatch the seat for a third term.
Linda Quintanilha picked up 110 votes to Keira Christian’s 87.
Quintanilha is a 1987 ConVal alumni and has kids in the school system. In a candidate’s profile sent to the Ledger-Transcript, Quintanilha said she is focused on equity within the school system. She said she fights for kids in Bennington to get the same educational opportunities as students that live in other communities.
“We have started an equity and inclusion movement at ConVal that is being recognized nationally and I’m not finished pushing the envelope on this work,” Quintanilha said.
The seat is a three-year position.
Select board member James Cleary won an uncontested race during the town elections. He took home 194 votes. There were no write-ins, according to a document from town.
Bennington taxpayers also cast their votes for the town budget and individual warrant items.
The town’s proposed budget of $1,729,235 million passed by 140 to 70 voting margin. The budget is more than $16,000 higher than the one passed by voters last year.