Jessica Tyndall reelected to Cape school board
Incumbent Jessica Tyndall was reelected to the Cape Henlopen school board May 9, defeating challenger Shawn Lovenguth 2,516 to 1,408 in total votes to retain her four-year, Area A seat.
Tyndall’s votes totaled 1,106 at Cape High, 585 at Rehoboth Elementary, 393 at Mariner Middle, 364 at Lewes Fire Hall and 68 absentee.
Lovenguth’s votes totaled 485 at Cape High, 168 at Rehoboth Elementary, 552 at Mariner Middle, 191 at Lewes Fire Hall and 12 absentee.
Voter turnout was 6.67% of all registered voters, according to the Delaware Department of Elections. In the last Cape school board election, held in 2021, voter turnout was 7.86%.
After polls closed May 9, elections officials at each voting location provided unofficial results to Cape officials present at each site.
These Cape officials relayed specific location results to Superintendent Bob Fulton, who announced results, which did not include absentee votes, to a small gathering at Cape High.
Tyndall said she was thankful for the support and eager to carry on her work with the board.
“I am so happy that I will be able to continue working hard for the kids in Cape for another term,” she said. “Thank you for believing in me.”
Tyndall first served from 2016-18, completing two years left in the term held by Noble Prettyman before he died in 2015. Jackie Briscoe, who had been appointed by the board to replace Prettyman after his death, chose not to run for election. In 2018, Tyndall ran unopposed for her first full term.
In her re-election bid, Tyndall had said more work needed to be accomplished in the areas of equity, student achievement and effective communication. The district needs to help students return to pre-COVID normalcy by focusing on mental health as well as academic needs, she said. Lovenguth had stated that his primary reasons for running were to ensure schools are a safe place for children and faculty, and to provide a more open dialogue between the public and the school board. He could not be reached for comment.
Tyndall’s new four-year term begins in July and will expire June 30, 2027.
