Jacobs Tops Waldeck in Final Tally for School Board Race

It was at times a race so close that it took an additional ten days for the final result to come in for the remaining seat on the Mill Valley School Board with Bob Jacobs winning by a margin of 63 votes.

"I was home checking the results all day and my computer was frozen and I didn't know," said Jacobs. "It was a nail-biter."

Jacobs wasn't quite prepared for the long wait for the final result which on election night had Clifford Waldeck leading by twelve votes. By Wednesday that had flipped with Jacobs leading by thirteen votes.

"I haven't run for anything since middle school and I never anticipated not knowing the results on election night.  It's been quite a ten days," Jacobs said.

Jacobs said the field of candidates was so strong that he wished there had been seats for all three. "I'd like to congratulate my opponents. We got along so well and I so enjoyed the process." Jacobs said.

Waldeck said he wanted to thank the 3500 voters who cast their ballot in support of him but said the outcome was still a win for the community.

"I'm sure between Bob and Leslie that they will get the community involved and I'm not going anywhere. I'm here to help," said Waldeck.

"I admire Bob," said Waldeck. "It's a real tribute to the quality of the educational experience. He truly was a beloved teacher -- the fact that he wants to continue working for the Mill Valley schools pro bono is admirable."

Jacobs teaching background may have tipped the scales.

"I had passionate support from my former students and their parents. I thought it was going to be there -- but I was just in awe of how passionate they were in their support."

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Final Count as confirmed by Elaine Ginnold, Registrar of Voters

LESLIE A. WACHTEL              5030     41.50%
BOB  JACOBS                         3563     29.40%
CLIFFORD C. WALDECK            3500      28.88%
Write-in Votes                             28        0.23%