A crowded race for four seats on the South Butler School Board was pared down by voters on Tuesday to five candidates, three of whom will appear on both sides of the ticket this November.

In the Republican primary Rebecca Freehling Boyd emerged as the top vote-getter, winning 1,225 votes. Bob Goodlin came in second, with 1,204 votes; Jill McDonald came in third, with 837 votes; and George Zacherl came in fourth with 792 votes.

In the Democratic primary Boyd was also the top vote-getter, with 401 votes. Mike Archer came in second with 338 votes; Goodlin came in third with 336 votes; and Zacherl came in fourth with 309 votes.

All vote counts are unofficial and based on online tallies posted by Butler County election officials.

All the candidates in the race were cross-filed, meaning their names appeared on both Republican and Democratic primary ballots Tuesday. That created the opportunity for some candidates to win on both sides of the ticket, and limit the number of candidates who will appear on the ballot in November. The top four vote getters on each ticket move on to the fall ballot.

The night's overall top vote-getter, Boyd, said she was thrilled to have had such a strong showing in the primary. She attributed her win to a message that was focused on fiscal responsibility.

“I was running for the taxpayer, and I think that resonated with our community,” she said.

McDonald, who will be listed as a Republican in the fall after turning in a third-place finish in the GOP primary, said she looked forward to the chance to win a seat on the board this fall.

“I want to thank everyone for their support,” said McDonald. “I'm excited to be part of the ballot in November.”

Archer, who emerged as the second-highest vote-getter in the Democratic primary, said he was disappointed to have failed to make it through as a Republican, but intended to continue pressing his case for making the district better.

“I want to work to keep our schools as good as we can get them, and help our district any way I can,” he said. “I think we all want the same thing. It's just a difference of opinion in how we're going to get there.”

Zacherl, who turned in fourth place finishes in both primaries, said, “I'm looking for ways to take our school district to the next level.

“I'm looking forward to November and to sharing ideas with the other candidates and residents of the community.”

Goodlin did not return a message seeking comment for this story.