The make-up of the Greater Victoria school board hasn't changed much after Saturday's election.

With more than 160,000 votes cast, incumbent trustees clinched seven of the nine board positions.

Peg Orcherton received the most votes overall with 16,628 – more than 1,000 votes ahead of runner-up Bev Horsman.

"I feel pretty pumped up and I'm quite honoured that I had so much support in the election. It really makes me feel quite positive as I go back to do the business for the board," said Orcherton following her win. "What I'm hoping is that the board can actually start working positively and more effectively together, and, in doing so, that we also build and strengthen the relationships we have with teachers, parent groups and other educational partners. If we don't have a split board, it will mean the opportunities to make this district even better will be greater."

Other returning trustees include Elaine Leonard (14,493), John Young (13,048), Jim Holland (12,303), Michael McEvoy (12,147) and current board chair Tom Ferris (11,891). Trustee Mark Walsh, the youngest running candidate, was the only incumbent not re-elected.

The two newcomers are former high school principal and district associate superintendent David Pitre, who finished eighth with 11,145 votes, and Sooke middle school teacher Catherine Alpha, who garnered 10,828 votes.

"To have achieved what I've achieved is an incredibly humbling thing," said Pitre after his victory. "But I'm really saddened that we've lost a colleague in Mark Walsh, a guy who really believed in what he was trying to do on behalf of kids and families."

Pitre says he's hopes the new board can show the public it's a group with common interests that can work together.

"Where we will differ, I trust we will differ respectfully and remain solution focused," he said. "There's always the business of student achievement, there's always the quest to help our kids be successful, always the quest to improve our graduation rate. When we talk about improving graduation rates, we're not just talking about the exiting of kids into whatever their next endevour is, but the business from year to year."

Alpha, one of the three candidates who ran with the support of the Victoria Public Education Coalition, will carry the voice of the coalition on the new board. Even though she's happy to have been elected, Alpha says she's sad her running mates aren't joining her.

"I'm really hopeful that we will be able to make some change. Hopefully we will be all be able to work together," she said. "It should not be about each other's egos and other hidden agendas. It should be about focussing on students in the district, listening to parents and listening to the teachers. We should all be working together to try to improve things and hold the government accountable for the incredible damage it's done to our school system."

kschoenit@oakbaynews.com