Six candidates in the race for four-year seats on the Moniteau School District board will proceed to compete in the November election, according to unofficial election results reported in Butler County Bureau of Elections summary reports.

Meanwhile, incumbent school board President Michael Panza will be the only candidate to proceed to the November election for a two-year seat on the board, reports from the Tuesday, May 20, primary indicate.

Panza, Michael Baptiste, Janeen Beatty, Celina Karnes, Kelly Rugg and Linda Dillaman all moved on to November on either the Republican or Democratic ticket. The only candidate who did not advance was newcomer Nicole Sadler.

Among the seven candidates who appeared on the Republican ballot fighting for the four, four-year terms, Baptiste led the way with 729 votes. Behind him were Panza with 717 votes, Beatty with 706 votes and Rugg with 582 votes.

Those not moving forward on the Republican ticket include Dillaman with 522 votes, Karnes with 429 votes and Sadler with 249 votes.

On the Democratic ticket, Dillaman led the way with 238 votes. Trailing her were Beatty with 230 votes, Panza with 228 votes and Karnes with 192 votes.

Those not moving forward on the Democratic ticket include Rugg with 169 votes and Sadler with 145 votes. Baptiste did not cross file and did not appear on the Democratic ticket.

For the two year term, Panza and Baptiste competed on the Republican ticket, while only Panza cross-filed to appear on the Democratic ballot.

On the Republican ticket, Panza secured 622 votes, while Baptiste received 619 votes.

On the Democratic ticket, Panza tallied 302 votes.

As a result, Panza will move on to the November ballot for the two-year term on both tickets.

Baptiste, who previously served one, four-year term on the school board, took two years off before running again this cycle.

“I’m happy,” he said. “I’m in it for the kids. I’m not a politician. I’m a businessman and that’s what I want to bring to the school. That’s how our school needs to be run.”

The school district serves families in Marion, Venango, Cherry, Washington, Clay and Concord townships; and the boroughs of West Sunbury, Cherry Valley and Eau Claire.

The winners of the November election will begin their four-year terms at the start of 2026.