Cyndi Loza

Scott Kelley and Denny Martindale had substantial leads in a three-way primary contest Tuesday based on unofficial results for the Washoe County school board in District E.

Carol Silverberg, a part-time college English instructor, finished third in the race for the Nov. 4 ballot.

The district includes northwest Reno, Verdi and Mogul. The term is four years and the pay is $750 a month. Trustee Jody Ruggiero is vacating the seat.

“I’m happy with the vote total so far, but I know in the back of my mind, there is still a lot of work ahead,” Kelley said. “It’s encouraging to see that thousands of people voted, and let’s hope that the votes will be higher in the Nov. 4 election. Elections are exciting and humbling at the same time.”

Kelley said he wants the district to work within its budget, including expanding programs such as the Education Collaborative’s Partners in Education.

“It’s still early but it will be interesting to see what the voters are looking for,” said Martindale, director of business development for Clark and Sullivan Construction and former president of the Education Collaborative.

Martindale said he wants to push for more vocational programs.