2020 Glendale education election results: Rabinov, Benlian, Freemon and Nahabedian lead the race
Eight candidates have played a game of musical chairs for two seats on the Glendale Unified school board and two seats on the Glendale Community College board of trustees since primary election day.
As votes were counted throughout the month, it became clear who led the race except for one seat — Glendale Community College’s District 1.
On Tuesday only 64,000 ballots were left to be counted. As of Friday afternoon, current board president Jennifer Freemon took the lead with 55.51% of the votes in the race for Glendale Unified Trustee in Area A. Challenger Joy McCreary came in second with 39.11%, followed by Jeremy Spurley, who received 5.38% of the votes.
Current Glendale Unified board member Nayiri Nahabedian captured most votes in the race for Trustee in Area E with 66.83%, while challenger Neda Farid-Farhoumand gained 33.17% of the votes.
Unopposed candidate for Glendale Community College District 5 Sevan Benlian received 5,382 votes.
Harry Leon, president of the Crescenta Valley Town Council faced off in a tight race against Desireé Portillo Rabinov, the town council’s treasurer, for Glendale Community College’s District 1.
Leon slipped behind with 49.13% of the vote while Rabinov garnered 50.87% of the vote.
Glendale Community College board president Vahé Peroomian and vice president Tony Tartaglia will be replaced by the newcomers in April.
Although the main topic during the board of trustees meeting on Tuesday was the coronavirus, board members and others gathered to thank Peroomian and Tartaglia for their leadership. Supt./President David Viar presented each with a commemorative plaque.
Tartaglia recalled advice Peroomian gave him after coming out of a contentious election.
“It’s about the students. If anything you’re doing right now isn’t about the students, it’s about you,” said Tartaglia.
Peroomian also referred back to contentious meetings on the board in 2005 and listed accomplishments and initiatives he’s spearheaded over his 15 years on the board, including hiring Viar.
Certified election results will be available on March 27, according to county registrar officials.
