The board that will decide whether to close or consolidate Pinellas County schools this fall took shape Tuesday, with two of three contested seats still unsettled after the primary.

In the District 3 at-large race, no candidate won a majority. Incumbent Dawn Peters, the board's vice chair, and challenger Curtis Campogni, a consultant and public speaker, finished as the top two vote-getters and will face each other again on the Nov. 3 general election ballot. Third candidate Dawn Douglas was eliminated.

The District 6 seat produced an even tighter outcome. Former board member Nancy Bostock held a razor-thin lead over political newcomer Amanda Lord, a margin narrow enough to trigger an automatic recount. Bostock is seeking the seat being vacated by one-term member Stephanie Meyer.

"It was a very close race," Lord said on election night. "We will wait and see what the elections office says about it."

The results, reported by the Tampa Bay Times, follow incumbent Lisa Cane's win in the District 2 at-large seat, which we previewed ahead of the primary.

New board will decide consolidation plan affecting Palm Harbor, Dunedin schools

Whoever fills these seats will vote on the district's Planning for Progress consolidation recommendations, scheduled to come before the board Thursday, Sept. 10. New members will be sworn in Nov. 17, just as a final consolidation vote is expected.

Dunedin High School hosted one of six countywide community input sessions on July 15, and the district currently has roughly 45,000 empty student seats. State projections show enrollment dropping by another 3,800 students this fall, translating to millions less in state revenue.

"We have fewer kids and we know it, and it's not going to change," Superintendent Kevin Hendrick said at a July 9 Planning for Progress forum at Boca Ciega High School.

The incoming board also faces a decision on whether to ask voters to renew a local-option property tax that funds employee pay, arts programs and reading support.

Board timeline: recount certification, public input and a November vote

The board will receive consolidation recommendations Thursday, Sept. 10. Public comment meetings are set for Tuesday, Sept. 22, and Tuesday, Oct. 13, both moved from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to accommodate working families. A board vote on closures and consolidations is expected in November, with approved changes taking effect next spring.

The Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections will certify the District 6 recount before the new board takes office on Nov. 17.