Both candidates are looking forward to being sworn into office at the first district board meeting in December. But it was a close race, according to the unofficial election results from the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters as of Nov. 3.

Ruby, the current board president, took the most votes at 4,279 (35 percent), while Sharma won 2,932 votes (24 percent). Kenneth Schulz and incumbent John Waite were defeated. Schulz gained 2,686 votes (22 percent), while Waite acquired 2,408 votes (20 percent).

"First and foremost, I want to thank the over 1,500 Saratogans who voted for me," Schulz said. "I greatly appreciate their wonderful show of support in my first attempt to become a board member for the Saratoga school district. I want to congratulate Cindy and Shinku for their success. And I look forward to working with them and the board in my capacities as the chairman of the Measure L bond compliance committee and as a member of the district budget committee."

Schulz said despite his loss, he hopes to continue to encourage the board members to reduce class sizes, especially in third grade and eventually in every grade level in the district, which serves grades K­8.

"I would also encourage the district to develop a long-term budget stabilizing model to replenish some of the reserves we've drained over the past few years," he said.

Waite also congratulated the two winning candidates. He said he's still considering running for the Los Gatos­Saratoga Joint Union High School District two years from now. In the meantime, he plans to stay involved in the Saratoga Union School District and stay involved in the community through volunteer service.

"Truly I'm thrilled that Shinku was elected," Waite said. "She's paid her dues and been actively involved in school fundraising and all of that. It's good to have fresh blood on the board."

Sharma said she's excited to serve the school district in a new capacity. She has formerly worked as the co-president of the Saratoga Education Foundation and has volunteered throughout the district's schools. She hopes to continue to volunteer in the district but will be phasing out of her work with SEF.

"I'm so ready to get started and very pleased that the people chose me to be their representative," she said.

Ruby said she is looking forward to serving another term and being part of the district's leadership.

"I was really pleased that the community has confidence in me for another four years," she said. "I continue to be energized and interested in the issues that face public education today."

In the Los Gatos­Saratoga Joint Union High School District, former co-President of the Saratoga High School PTSA Rosemary Rossi and incumbent Dr. Lorrie Wernick won the tight race. There were only two seats available, with five candidates competing.

Rossi finished first with 5,241 votes (24 percent) and Wernick was second with 5,092 votes (23 percent). The other candidates included Steven Kahl with 4,523 votes (21 percent), Michele van Zuiden with 4,052 votes (19 percent) and Carol Barmeier with 2,916 votes (13 percent).

Rossi said she's waiting to celebrate until all the uncounted and absentee votes have been included. She was both surprised and pleased with the results and is hoping they don't fluctuate much.

"I'm anxious about getting started on the board," she said. "And I want to thank all the people who came to all the forums because they have given me such an insight into both of the schools."

Rossi said she's been impressed by the knowledgeable and concerned residents of Los Gatos and Saratoga, as well as the candidates she ran against.

"I can see the value in a race that is contested, because it makes everyone rise to the occasion," Rossi said.

Wernick said she celebrated her victory with a bowl of ice cream in the comfort of her own home with her family.

"I was very, very happy," she said. "I really wanted to serve another term, and I'm very thrilled that the community came out and supported my candidacy and gave me the opportunity to serve a third term."

Wernick enjoyed being able to view the election results on the Internet. She said it was much more convenient than eight years ago when she first ran for the high school board and had to go down to the Registrar of Voters to await results.