Steven Madsen held onto his eight-vote lead in Woodland’s School Board race, according to the unofficial results of a hand recount Monday.

Following the Nov. 3 election, Madsen garnered 1,157 votes, just ahead of Patricia Stepp, who had 1,149. Those results were unchanged after the recount.

The Woodland School District straddles Cowlitz and Clark counties, and elections officials in both counties recounted ballots Monday morning. Six Cowlitz County elections officials tallied just more than 1,100 ballots by hand. Clark County officials counted 294 votes.

Madsen, of Ariel, was appointed to the board in 2008 to replace Steve Bosen, who resigned mid-term.

Madsen said Monday evening he will continue to push for a new high school — the primary policy item on his agenda. Still, he said he is troubled by his narrow margin of victory, especially if it is framed as a referendum on the new high school.

“That, to me, was most disconcerting,” he said. “You need 60 percent of the population to approve a new school bond. If you look at this as a referendum on that, I’m wasting my time in trying to pass a new high school.”

He said he hopes opposition to the project cools once the board resolves questions about its location. The proposed site, on Dike Access Road, would be adjacent to Walmart. That has raised questions about traffic and safety among some voters, Madsen said.

Stepp challenged Madsen after she learned that the district was considering closing Yale Elementary, a rural school serving about 50 students. On Monday, she said she would continue to support the school, as well as other causes.

“I consider myself a community activist and I will continue to be (one),” she said.

Of her school board run, Stepp said: “I felt called to do it. I did it, and I’m glad I did it.”

Clark County’s officials certified their recount Monday. Cowlitz County’s elections department is expected to certify its recount Tuesday.

It was Cowlitz County’s first hand recount since the 2004 gubernatorial race between Chris Gregoire and Dino Rossi.

Related articles:

Madsen's eight-vote victory in Woodland School Board race certified; automatic recount set for Monday  (Nov. 24)

Madsen unofficial winner in Woodland schools race, but recount likely  (Nov. 14)