Schools

Lawrence Officially Declares Tova Plaut Winner in School Board Race

Jesse Lunin-Pack says he will be running again next year.

Nine days after Lawrence School District residents cast their votes for school board member, the district on Thursday officially declared Tova Plaut the winner.

“I am excited to accept the position of trustee for School District 15 and I am looking forward to serving our community by helping to provide a quality education for all students in our district,” said Plaut, the first woman to serve on the board in several years. “The voters of our community have chosen me as their representative and I will work diligently to help create a positive environment for our children and families.”

A poll worker incorrectly tallying the official numbers the night of the election led to Jesse Lunin-Pack being declared the winner in the race against Plaut and Dov Herman. Two recounts confirmed what many poll watchers knew last Tuesday: that Plaut had won with a 37-vote advantage.

Plaut thanked Lunin-Pack for the way he handled the election recount.

“I have spent the past nine days experiencing many of the same emotions that I know Jesse has felt, and I commend him for his gracious attitude and gentlemanly actions,” she said.

Lunin-Pack, in a concession speech given before the board’s meeting Thursday (also posted here), said it was tough to lose by only 37 votes, but he was proud of the positive campaign his team ran.

“Tova, you are not a parent of children in the public schools, which is the main reason I believe I deserved the seat over you. You are, however, a mother, a professional educator of great achievement, and from all I can tell a friendly and open minded person,” Lunin-Pack said. “I wish you the best of luck in your new position. You add a women’s point of view to the board, which was as sorely lacking as that of a public school parent.”

He added that he will use the money he raised in the campaign to found the Lawrence Children’s Political Fund, which will “identify, nurture, and support viable candidates to run for school board from the public school community.”

“My campaign did not fail. Over the past week I have received phone calls and emails from a wide cross section of the Lawrence community, including many who did not support me in this election,” he said. “I look forward to a year from now when I run again, and I win with the support of the entire Lawrence community — not just the public school vote.”


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