Ginger Schaaf holds a commanding lead over Jackie Burhans in the Lewis-Palmer School District 38 Board of Directors – District 3 race.

The initial, unofficial results released Tuesday evening has Schaaf with 59.26% and Burhans with 40.74% of the 10,510 votes cast.

Tim Bennett is running unopposed for the District 1 seat.

The winners are filling two district seats being vacated by Kris Norris, who is moving out of the area, and current board President Tiffiney Upchurch, who has reached term limits.

During the campaign, Schaaf, who has a construction management background, said high school wood shop, drafting and math prepared her for her career. She added special trades fill a community need.

Schaaf has also said students should use bathrooms and locker rooms based on sex assigned at birth and opposed males competing in female sports, saying it is not equal competition.

Bennett has pushed to “get politics out of school,” prioritize core academics and evaluate materials by their educational value and safety, leaving sensitive choices to families. Schaaf said she relies on trained educators and librarians to select age-appropriate content but supports parents opting out for their own children.