Whether a seat on the Uniontown Area School Board will be up for grabs depends on whether Tom McCracken, a challenger in the general election race, chooses to fill the seat or picks the position of Franklin Township supervisor, to which he was also elected.

According to unofficial election totals, McCracken received 2,035 votes and placed third among the four candidates who won a seat on the board.

He garnered 290 votes to defeat incumbent Tim Franks for the Franklin Township supervisor post.

McCracken, a Vanderbilt farmer and a teacher retired from the Uniontown Area School District, said Wednesday he was shocked to learn he was elected to both positions, but is unsure which elected position he will choose. He plans to wait for the final vote count to be completed before choosing a position.

"I'm unsure if they liked my candor or didn't like my opponents," McCracken laughed. "The last thing I want to do is to let any voters down on either side."

An official with the Fayette County Election Bureau said election totals are not complete until write-in votes are counted. The final vote count is set to begin Friday and could be completed within two weeks time.

Michael Brungo, solicitor for the Uniontown Area School District, said according to school code, McCracken cannot hold both positions and must make a determination as to which elected position he will serve.

The board will have 30 days to appoint someone to a vacancy that would result if McCracken declines the board seat, said Brungo.

The board can fill a vacancy in any manner appropriate since school code does not outline a specific procedure to be used, he said.

If he accepts the school board seat, McCracken said he will focus on advocating the adoption of an anti-nepotism policy possibly modeling one adopted by the Frazier School District and moving forward with the board's planned renovation of Lafayette, Ben Franklin and Uniontown Area High School.

Other board members are also planning to move the building projects forward.

Thomas "Bill" Gerke, the top vote-getter during both the primary and general election races, said he plans to do that in addition to working closely with the state legislators to learn more about consolidating Fayette County's six school districts' administrative functions.

"I have open ears to countywide consolidation," Gerke said. "Anything to move the school district forward and to save money if it's the best project for the students."

Gerke said his election to the board signals that voters want a change.

He thanked his supporters, including the members of the Central Christian Church, who he said stepped up to support him during the campaign.

"It's a very exciting time in the Uniontown Area School District," said Gerke, noting the buildings projects are in place and a teachers' contract is due to be discussed. "I'm looking forward to taking my seat on the board."

Incumbent Lloyd Williams is ready to continue focusing on the building projects and, after the projects are complete, the time will be right for representatives of area school districts and state representatives to discuss consolidating services and administrative functions.

"We can find ways to save the taxpayers money. We can consolidate services to help the taxpayers in all school districts in Fayette County," said Williams.

Incumbent William Rittenhouse Jr. said being re-elected indicates that the taxpayers feel he's making the right decisions and leading the school district in the right direction educationally and financially.

"And I appreciate that vote of confidence," he said.

Rittenhouse said he will continue to monitor expenditures and protect the interest of the taxpayers. He said board members will have a few major issues facing them in the near future.

Taxes were never raised for approximately $34 million borrowed for a high school project. There is a $16 million funding gap between that amount and the renovation projects, which are expected to cost around $50 million. The board may need to borrow money to fill that gap, Rittenhouse said.

New board members will officially take their seat as board members at the December reorganization meeting.