With two seats open on the Glendale Unified School District Board of Education, vote counts as of Friday from the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk show Telly Tse as the winner for Area A and Aneta Krpekyan leading in Area E.
Area A represents north Glendale, while Area E represents southwest Glendale — though each Board member serves the entire community and supports all schools in GUSD, according to the district’s website.
As of Friday evening, Tse earned 54.9% of the votes and Krpekyan earned 53.8%.
“It is important that every single ballot is counted,” Tse told the News-Press. “With each update in recent days only increasing my lead, I am confident that our campaign will prevail. It is a testament to how our community has come together to ensure that Glendale continues to protect all our students and families and the educators that support them.”
Krpekyan did not respond to the News-Press’ request for comment.
Area A candidate Jordan Henry earned the second highest percentage of votes, tallying 35.9%. Shant Kevorkian, also vying for the seat in Area A, received 9.1%.
“While the current results do not reflect the outcome we were seeking or the support we experienced on the ground, we are encouraged to have earned nearly 40% of the vote despite the personal attacks and intimidation tactics of the teachers union and dishonest community members,” Henry said in a statement to the News-Press.
“It’s clear that our interests and concerns represent a large, disenfranchised constituency in this community,” he added.
Kevorkian underscored the importance of the democratic process and expressed gratitude for all those working meticulously to make sure every vote is counted.
“While we await the updated numbers from the county, I am feeling proud and energized,” Kevorkian said. “This campaign from the beginning was an opportunity for me to voice my views, and I had told myself, whether I receive 200 votes or 4,000 votes, I have already won. I have won by having the opportunity to be involved in our schools and our community, and that commitment will not change after this election — regardless of the results.”
He went on to say that he is prepared to support and work closely with whichever candidate wins the seat for Area A.
“Together, we are limitless,” Kevorkian said.
In Area E, Neda Farid tallied 46.2% of the votes. She told the News-Press that while these preliminary numbers are not what she had hoped for, she will continue to monitor the county’s updated counts closely.
“I am very proud of the campaign fueled by our collective purpose, to ensure that we elect a candidate who believes in the promise of public education and is committed to ensuring that all students are college, career and life-ready,” Farid said. “I am honored to have earned the trust of the community, and the endorsement of so many community organizations and leaders. Most of all, I am privileged to have been allowed to be their voice to ensure we meet the needs of all students, teachers and staff.”
Farid went on to say that regardless of the outcome, she will remain dedicated to the GUSD community for decades to come.
Sheryl Porter, who voted at the Crescenta Valley Park on Tuesday, said that she prioritizes candidates who are honest and “who are in it to serve the people who put them into office instead of serving themselves.”
“Local elections are important because all down ballot issues affect the top which affects the whole country,” she said, using the book bans in Florida as an example of this.
GCC BOARD
In the race for Glendale Community College’s board of trustees, the margin between Desirée P. Rabinov, who is the current board vice president, and Harry Leon is tight for Area 1, with 50.7% and 49.3% respectively. Current board President Sevan Benlian has a strong lead of 63.6% over his opponent Armine Pogosyan for Area 5.
Area 1 makes up North Glendale and dips into the Verdugo Woodlands; Area 5 is south of the 134 freeway, covering the City Center, Citrus Grove and Vineyard-Moorpark area.
Benlian emphasized the overwhelming amount of support he has received from the community, saying it has been an honor to serve on the GCC board of trustees.
“I’m immensely grateful for the opportunity to continue this vital work,” Benlian told the News-Press. “Alongside my esteemed colleagues, we’ve spearheaded significant improvements for students, faculty and staff, enriching the campus experience and fostering a vibrant learning environment. Our journey is far from over.
“With exciting plans in store, we will ensure that GCC remains a beacon of excellence and opportunity for generations to come,” he added.
Rabinov told the News-Press she did not want to make a statement until vote counts were final and Leon and Pogosyan did not respond to a request for comment.
First published in the March 9 issue of the Glendale News-Press
