The race for Beachwood Board of Education was unusually intense this year, with five candidates running for two four-year seats and three candidates running for one two-year seat.

But on Nov. 5, the incumbents’ slate prevailed.

Current board members Josh Mintz and Megan Walsh, who ran as a ticket with newcomer Jillian DeLong, won re-election. 

Mintz had 1,683 votes, and Walsh had 1,481 votes. Trailing behind them in the four year term race was Dawann Gray with 1,102, Careen Caputo with 1,071 and lastly Tiffanie Broadbent with 938 votes. 

The two-year term was much more contested and closer. Jillian DeLong snuck away with the narrow 49 vote win over Richard Loeb. 1,160 votes to 1,111 was the vote margin. Marla Hart was 20 votes behind Loeb at 1,091. 

Mintz, Walsh and DeLong were endorsed by the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party.  

Mintz has two kids, including an 8th grader at BMS and a 5th grader at Hilltop. 

Walsh has two kids, a 4th grader at Hilltop and a 1st grader at Bryden.

DeLong also has two children. a 1st grader and a 2nd grader at Bryden.

At the Diversity Matters Candidates Forum, candidates shared their goals if elected.  

“Teachers go above and beyond for our kids,” he said. “I want to continue that for another four years.”  Mintz said.

Walsh and Mintz will stay in office, but DeLong will join them and Dr. Brian Weiss and Maria Bennett on the school board in January.