By Rebecca Rider

rebecca.rider@salisburypost.com

KANNAPOLIS — Todd Adams, Kevin Clark and Anita Parker stole the spotlight in the race for three available seats on the Kannapolis City Schools Board of Education.

Incumbent and current board Chairman Adams was up against James “Jim” Smith for the single Rowan County seat, and beat him out by nearly 300 votes in Rowan County and more than 1,000 in Cabarrus. Adams finished with 62.08 percent of the vote in Rowan County and 67.34 percent in Cabarrus County

Adams has been serving on the board since 2008. He said there has been a lot of uncertainty on the board and in the system, and he looks forward to closing that chapter of the system’s history.

“I’m very excited about the future of Kannapolis City Schools,” he said.

Adams gave credit for his win to the “unbelievable support” he received from friends, family and his community.

“That meant a tremendous amount to me. Their support was very humbling,” he said.

Cabarrus County representatives Parker, a retired teacher, and Clark, funeral director at Lady’s Funeral Home, pulled ahead of their opponents in the Rowan County vote by more than a 15 percent margin. Clark came in ahead with 33.82 percent of the vote and Parker cleared with 29.34 percent.

But it was a tight race in Cabarrus County, with Clark, Parker and Natasha Lipscomb keeping within a few points of each other for most of the count. Parker led with 25 and then 26 percent of the votes. Clark pulled ahead and slid into the second seat with 23.74 percent of the vote, with Lipscomb left behind with 21.94 percent.

Parker said she’s excited to get started.

“There’s a lot of work ahead, and I’m ready to dive in, and I’m very excited to help make the decisions that will take us into the future,” she said.

For Clark, things were not so simple. The day was filled with personal joy and loss.

“It’s all a whole mixture of feelings right now,” he said.

But Clark said he’s glad the race is over, and he’s looking towards the future.

“As far as the election goes, I feel good. I’m ready to move forward, to hit the ground running,” he said.

Newly elected members will be sworn in at the board’s April meeting.

Contact reporter Rebecca Rider at 704-797-4264.