Challengers Kyle Stemple (left) and Michael Studer (right) garnered the most votes after Tuesday's preliminary tally, and incumbent John Maxwell (center) came out 49 votes ahead of Doug Peterman. 

DOVER (Tusco TV) - The second and third-place vote-getters in Dover’s school board race say they’re ready to work together to address Dover’s financial challenges.

Challengers Kyle Stemple and Michael Studer are set to replace Jeannine Kennedy and Randy Longacher after bringing in the highest preliminary vote tallies. Studer says he believes his background in business and public finance will be an asset to the board at a time when Dover and other districts throughout the state are experiencing a funding crisis. 

"I’ve also had past experience as an independent auditor of financial statements as well as state and federal COTA compliance for many Ohio school districts when I was working for a public accounting firm so understanding school finance is one of the most important things as a school board member, in my opinion," he says.

Incumbent frontrunner John Maxwell says he welcomes the two newcomers set to join him on the board next year, although he will miss working alongside Jeannine Kennedy and Randy Longacher. 

"I certainly have enjoyed all the time that I’ve worked with the current board. Randy Longacher and Jeannine Kennedy were fantastic board members and I learned much from them over the last few years but I certainly look forward to working with Kyle Stemple and Michael Studer as well," he says. 

Maxwell edged out Dover business owner Doug Peterman by 49 votes in the preliminary count but he could still lose his seat if Peterman picks up enough votes from the remaining provisional and absentee ballots.