Victory in this year's school board race came with a hefty list of things to do: Negotiate a new contract with the teachers union. Write a budget in rough economic times. Manage a much-debated elementary school consolidation plan that the current board hopes to approve before the end of the year.

Four of the Concord school board's nine seats were in play this year, and each was won by a newcomer. As a result, the board will see its institutional memory shrink, but it will gain members who bring diverse backgrounds to a group that's traditionally laden with lawyers.

The winners are Jack Dunn, a finance and operations manager for a large fire-protection company; Kevin Fleming, a doctor at Concord Hospital; Eric Williams, an environmental planner; and Clint Cogswell, a retired elementary school principal. In less than two months, they'll be making decisions with sweeping effects on public education in Concord.

"It's always a steep learning curve, but this year it's going to be steeper than ever," said outgoing President Betty Hoadley. "They're going to feel like they're taking off like a helicopter, instead of a Boeing 747."

Shortly after they take office in January, the new members will begin writing the district's budget. It's also likely they'll oversee a plan to consolidate some of the city's oldest, smallest elementary schools. The current school board is likely to formally approve a broad outline of the plan next month, a move that would allow the district to meet a deadline for state school construction subsidies.

Details, such as which schools would close and when the renovations would start, will be up to the new board. The district has been debating the plan for years. Supporters say it would save money in the long run and balance inequities among the schools. Those opposed, meanwhile, are worried about the cost of widespread construction and would prefer the city keep its cozy neighborhood schools.

Williams has many questions about the district's plan, which he says overlooks long-term population projections. He's worried the district is moving too quickly and hasn't properly considered the cost of upgrading and keeping all eight elementary schools.

"I'm not sure that permanent closure of the buildings makes sense at this point, but we still need information," he said.

Cogswell served as principal at three of Concord's elementary schools. During his campaign, he said the community around each school will need to be considered, but he knows the district must do something to upgrade its schools.

Fleming suspects that consolidated schools will allow the district to better challenge gifted students, but he's still gathering information to support his theory. In a pamphlet distributed to voters, Dunn stressed the importance of timelines, careful analysis and community involvement.

"No student," he wrote, "should be at a disadvantage due to restricted facility or curriculum."

The new members will take seats vacated by three retirements and one election-day upset. Two incumbents, Martin Honigberg and Renwick Wilkes, chose not to run. The third, Bill Glahn, lost Tuesday. Also stepping down is Hoadley, who is retiring after 14 years on the board. The final year of her term will be completed by Clint Cogswell, who won a special election.

Glahn's defeat was a surprise, even to some of the winners. As head of the committee charged with contract negotiations, he had earned the union's respect and, along with Williams and Cogswell, its endorsement.

"I'm sad that Bill didn't get in," Fleming said. "That's really going to complicate things."

The last round of negotiations erupted into public spats after months of bargaining. Both sides hope to avoid a repeat this year. Mike Macri, president of the Concord Education Association, said the union will work with any member of the board, but Glahn will be missed.

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