"It's really exciting because it's really needed," said E'Vonne Coleman-Cook, a member of the predominantly black North Orange Education Task Force.

"This past year, there have been issues that the board has attempted to address -- the formation of the Closing the Achievement Gap committee is one such example -- and by having greater diversity on the board, as a community member, I have higher expectations that the board and the district will follow through on the recommendations," Coleman-Cook said.

McKnight's victory Tuesday came after losing a bid for the school board two years ago, when the seven-member panel became all white.

"I think you have to have some diversity on the school board. But if everyone on the school board is working toward one common goal, then I think everything can work out for the best," he said.

McKnight is an apprenticeship and training consultant for the N.C. Department of Labor. Eubanks worked for 38 years as a social worker, nine of them for the Orange County Schools working for drop-out prevention of at-risk youth.

For Steve Halkiotis, the top vote-getter, this election marks a return to his former school district and public office. Halkiotis served as principal of Orange High School for 15 years and as an Orange County commissioner for 20 years.

"People will remember you if you try to help their children," he said.