11:20 a.m.Kevin Alfaro defeated Roger Adams for a seat on the St. Helena School Board by a 2-1 margin, according to votes tallied late Tuesday.

Alfaro received 1,463 votes — 67.6 percent — compared with 696 votes — 33.2 percent — for Adams, according to preliminary results released Tuesday night by the Napa County Elections Department.

The votes already tallied represent 36 percent of the 6,039 registered voters in the school district boundaries. Between 175-275 ballots received after Saturday, Oct. 31, have not been counted, said Registrar of Voters John Tuteur.

The remaining ballots are included in a final certified count being released Monday, said Tuteur. He will deliver the certified canvass to the school board at its next meeting, Nov. 12 at Vintage Hall.

It is unclear whether Alfaro will be sworn in on Thursday.

Alfaro thanked his family and everyone who worked on his campaign, helped hand out flyers and wrote letters to the editor on his behalf.

Recall vote in February

The two were vying to fill the seat left vacant earlier this year by Jim Haslip, who resigned as controversy erupted over the course the board charted in naming Superintendent Rob Haley to replace his predecessor, Allan Gordon.

Public concern about the selection of Haley without a broader candidate search and related issues has prompted a recall campaign against the four current members of the board, Ines DeLuna, Cynthia lane, Carolyn Martini and Cindy Warren. The recall vote will take place in February.

Of the two candidates, Alfaro is aligned with the recall supporters and Adams is against the recall.

Alfaro said the campaign has benefited the community by raising important issues and getting people more engaged.

“It’s neat to see how the community has embraced school district issues and really started paying attention and asking good questions,” he said. “That’s already affected how the board interacts with the community — they’ve changed how they run the meetings a little and more information is getting out.”

Alfaro said he hopes Adams stays involved in the school system.

“I think he can lend a hand and help spread the word about how great our school district is,” he said.

When contacted Wednesday morning, Adams said, “I just wish him well.”

Alfaro said his strategy during the first few school board meetings will be to “listen and learn.”

“I need to get up to speed on how the board interacts, how it handles information and how it works with the administration,” he said. “The first few months will be a learning process for me.”