Carrie Doyle, Wendy Padilla and Jennifer Moore were elected to the Orange County Schools Board of Education's three available seats Tuesday night in a narrow election. Doyle and Moore are incumbents and Padilla is a newcomer.
According to unofficial results, Doyle won 18 percent of the vote. Padilla and Moore won about 16 percent of the vote each.
"I'm so excited about the three of us winning because we bring each our own unique perspectives and strengths, and we are focused on collaboration and working together and better representing students and families," Doyle said.
Doyle, an incumbent on the BOE since 2020 and current high school teacher at Durham Public Schools, ran for re-election on a platform of inclusive opportunities, language access and STEM opportunities for students.
She was endorsed by N.C. Rep. Graig Meyer (D-Caswell, Orange, Person), Hillsborough mayor Mark Bell and former Hillsborough mayor Jenn Weaver.
Padilla, the founder of a local not-for-profit organization fighting food injustice, ran on a platform of student-first needs, equity and inclusion, support for educators and increasing comprehensive literacy programs. She was endorsed by Indy Week, Carrboro town council member Eliazar Posada and the Orange County Association of Educators.
Moore has served on the Board since 2020 and has over a decade of experience in N.C. public schools. She has also served as vice president for the Orange County Association of Educators.
Incumbent Bonnie Hauser — who finished fourth by less than 500 votes — and candidates Michael Johnson and Cindy Shriner were endorsed by the Friends of OCS, a local political action committee concerned about the promotion of ideological agendas in schools. The group also pushes for evaluating curriculum for age-appropriateness and is concerned about graphic content in curriculum.
"I think voters were convinced that equity versus academic excellence was a false choice," Doyle said. "We can and must do both. And they're more effective together."
