Palm Beach County School Board race led by Frank Barbieri

Lawyer wants to improve budgets and programs

By Marc Freeman | South Florida Sun-Sentinel

11:13 AM EST, November 5, 2008

With 71 of 77 precincts reporting, Frank Barbieri, with more than 55 percent of the vote, led Mark Hansen, with more than 44 percent..

For the first time in 10 years, a Palm Beach County School Board member's re-election bid appeared to fail the test Tuesday. Incumbent Hansen appeared headed toward defeat in a runoff, nonpartisan race for the board's District 5 seat.

Barbieri, a lawyer and community leader from west of Boca Raton, watched results at a party with supporters and relatives.

"If I'm fortunate enough to have won, I look forward to working with the other School Board members on behalf of the children of Palm Beach County," said Barbieri, who campaigned on a platform of offering tough, new leadership to help bring improvements in school budgets and programs.

Hansen — a Realtor who has served on the seven-member School Board since 2002 — had hoped his experience and school achievements during his tenure would appeal to voters.

Voting was limited to those registered in the board district, which covers Highland Beach, Boca Raton and the unincorporated area west of the city. The winner of the race gets a four-year term and a $40,887 annual salary.

Barbieri raised well more than that in campaign contributions. He counted $57,622 in donations, including a $5,000 personal loan, as of Oct. 10, finance records show.

Hansen almost matched his challenger in donations. He reported receiving $56,808 in contributions as of Oct. 30, including $17,008 in personal loans. Local developers, attorneys and real estate agents have funded both campaigns.

Marc Freeman can be reached at mjfreeman@SunSentinel.com or 561-243-6642.