A nip and tuck race Tuesday has Jim Thorpe Area School District’s current board president on the outside looking in according to unofficial election results in Carbon County.

Scott Pompa received 1,887 votes, finishing sixth in a race for five open seats. Incumbent Pearl Downs Sheckler led the way with 2,229 votes, followed by newcomers Michelle Banks with 2,031, Christopher Fischi with 1,943, Michele Mazzola with 1,918 and Mary Figura with 1,909.

Only one candidate, Mazzola, was on the ballot in May’s primary election.

Pompa, Downs-Scheckler, Fischi, Figura and Banks all successfully made the November ballot through write-in votes.

Cindy Lesisko Henning, Paul Montemuro and TJ Garritano did not seek re-election.

Banks is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in educational leadership.

“A profound issue facing schools is preserving a robust educational system while maintaining the integrity of its stakeholders,” she said. “As a seasoned teacher, therapist, and supervisor, particularly in the area of special education, I recognize the adversities that are apparent in school systems. My focus is teacher retention, diversified learning, and mental health wellness.”

Mazzola, meanwhile, has served 21 years in public schools including 14 years as a classroom teacher and seven in administration as a middle school principal and director of curriculum, instruction, assessment and special education.

“I want to ensure our children’s interests are at the heart of every decision made,” she said. “They deserve the best in their academic and social emotional learning. I stand for open dialogue, transparency and ethics. Our children, parents and community deserve to be heard and given opportunities to be involved in decision-making. I believe we need to review curriculum, its alignment to standards and the resources used to meet 21st century needs.”

Figura is currently the assistant to the superintendent for Lehighton Area School District.

“I think the feasibility study will identify many of the district’s issues,” she said. “Even though there may be benefits identified in the study, from a transportation perspective, I am not in favor of reconfiguring our schools. As any current or new issues are identified, I would use data to make informed decisions, communicate concerns to stakeholders, work with district officials to solve problems and relay results.”