James wins Storey School board seat

Cathylee James fought back a challenge by Curt Chapman to win a seat on the Storey County School Board of Trustees.

James polled 1,250 votes or 55.83 percent to Chapman's 956 votes or 44.17 percent.

"I'm really excited about all the things I am hoping to be able to do on the school board," she said. "I thank Storey County for its vote of confidence in me, and I can't wait to go back to work."

She said she was grateful to the voters for believing in her and believing she can make a difference.

Chapman earlier this year said he was running for seat 1A of the Storey County School Board just to prevent Cathylee James from being elected. Chapman currently holds seat 1B, and said in August that he had planned to retire until he noticed James had filed for Seat 1A.

Chapman was unavailable for comment.

Seat 1A can be held by any resident of the county, where seat 1B must be held by someone living outside Virginia City or Gold Hill. James lives in Virginia City and Chapman lives in the Virginia City Highlands.

In the race for Seat 1B, Colleen Conley of Lockwood defeated Rebecca Fielding of Virginia City to win her first election. Conley had 1,073 votes or 52.58 percent and Fielding had 974 votes or 47.42 percent.

Conley and Fielding could not be reached for comment.

Chris Miller, of the Virginia City Highlands, was unopposed in the primary election for Seat 1C. That seat must also be occupied by someone outside the county seat.

Seat 2A is for Virginia City/Gold Hill, and that position is held by Deny Dotson, who was not up for reelection. Seat 2B is held by Pam Smith, and she also was not up for re-election this year.

- Contact reporter Karen Woodmansee at kwoodmansee@nevadaappeal.com or call 881-7351.