Incumbents out

Donnie Norwood won the Position 7 seat on the Ector County Independent School District's board of trustees Saturday in a three-way race against incumbent L.V. "Butch" Foreman III and opponent Jay Pease.

Norwood, former ECISD executive director for support services, received 572 votes (42.59 percent) while Foreman got 306 votes (22.78 percent), and Pease got 465 votes (34.62 percent).

Norwood, 58, said he was pleased with the results, and he could now focus on working with ECISD administrators and other trustees in building up the district.

"We need to work to make this the best district for the kids in Odessa," Norwood said.

In 2004, Foreman beat six other candidates and garnered 521 votes or 28 percent to fill a spot vacated by incumbent Phil Fouche.

The ECISD board, Foreman included, faced many challenges the last few years including issues from a Career Center redesign, a Bible course lawsuit, a sex ed curriculum dispute and the high-profile buyouts of several administrator contracts.

In this year's race, Pease said he enjoyed the opportunity to vie for the Position 7 seat.

Pease wished Norwood luck in the future.

"We were glad to jump in the race and at least give him a run for his money," Pease said.

Efforts to reach Foreman were not successful late Saturday.