Longtime Escalon Unified School District board member John Largent was returned to the board by an overwhelming majority in the Tuesday, Nov. 4 election.

Largent, with 290 votes in the race for his Dent Urban seat on the board, won re-election over challenger Erica McCulloch. In her first bid for a seat, McCulloch tallied 173 votes. Largent had roughly 62 percent of the vote, McCulloch 37 percent, with one reported write-in vote.

There were two other open seats on the school board this November, but neither featured a race. Kate Powell was unopposed in Area 2, Farmington, with longtime board member Al Caton opting to withdraw his candidacy earlier. Incumbent Richard Thompson was unopposed in Area 1, Collegeville.

Largent said he was pleased with the community support and said McCulloch was a worthy opponent, who he believes also had the district’s best interests in mind.

“I’m pleased that the community had enough confidence in me to return me to the board,” Largent said. “I think I bring some continuity to the board … someone with experience.”

Largent said he is also looking forward to newcomer Powell joining the panel and is sure the school board will continue to work cooperatively with the administration to provide what is best for students.

“I was first elected in 1981 so I am starting my 34th year,” Largent said. “It’s a long time and I know there was some question about me not having children or grandchildren in school anymore.”

But the family is still heavily involved in teaching and coaching, he said, and he still feels a connection and a sense of responsibility to local students.

“If I didn’t care, I wouldn’t be here,” Largent said.

He’s eager to see completion of the first phase of the school modernization project this year at the high school, and then moving on to other projects within the district schools. He also said he feels the board has been careful in considering all the facts when making decisions and he sees that as something that will continue in the years to come.