By Mindy Ragan Wood
Staff Writer
Piedmont Board of Education’s Steven Cox saved his seat following a long campaign and election Tuesday night.
The board president has served five years on the board and it was clear from voters that citizens were not finished with him yet.
Cox received 852 votes or 56.09 percent against Cory Benton’s 667 and 43.91 percent. The campaign was squeaky clean to the end, and it was something the two appreciated from each other.
“I thank Benton for running a clean campaign and I didn’t want to make it about ‘here’s why you don’t want to vote for this guy,’” Cox said Wednesday. “I completely understand the voters’ decision and they chose. I didn’t see it as me against him. If you like me great and that’s where I was at on it.”
Benton said he never had a bad word to say about Cox.
“I think Steve is a really good guy,” he said. “I’m disappointed that the people who wanted change won’t get it, but I hope at the very least this opened some lines of communication.”
Benton’s campaign included a push for communication between school officials and the public as something he heard from voters. He held a town hall last Thursday night where he told the audience he frequently heard people were afraid to ask questions and believed they would not be heard.
Cox said the calls and emails he receives are “very few,” and that parents have an opportunity to address the board each month during public comments.
Benton hopes more stakeholders will do their part and contact their board members.
“I believe Steve would be open to listening to them if they would call,” Benton said.
Cox is all ears.
“One of the things I learned on the campaign trail is that I can’t go to all of them (parents) to ask questions,” he said. “There’s not enough time in the day to get that done. We need their input. Come talk to us. Tell us what you want. Give us your ideas, how you think things can work out.”
Benton plans to continue asking questions.
“I think it’s our job as parents to ask questions and communicate with people as best we can and help in any way we can,” he said. “That won’t change for me.”
Cox expressed his appreciation to supporters for the victory.
“It’s been a long process,” he said. “It puts a strain on everyone, friends and family, my supporters. I can’t thank them and voters enough for voting for me. I am grateful to have their confidence in me to guide our school system to a bright future.”
