Tuesday's closest race came down to a difference of just ten votes, with Rhonda Veugen securing the open seat on the School Committee over opponent Lynne Burroughs.

Veugen and Burroughs were vying for the seat vacated by Robert Brousseau, who spent more than 15 years on the committee. "I won't be able to fill his shoes but hope to have as strong a voice as he has had going forward," Veugen said.

But Burroughs indicated Tuesday night that the race may not be over. She said that she will request a recount and preferred not to comment on the election results until after it is taken.

The Town Clerk's office confirmed Wednesday morning that Burroughs had requested a recount. She can choose any or all precincts that she'd like to have recounted and must get at least ten register voters to sign a recount petition for each chosen precinct. After obtaining the signatures, she must return the petition(s) to the clerk's office and then a time and date for the count will be scheduled.

Of the 4,009 ballots cast, 517 were left blank for the School Committee, the highest number by far among the contested races.

"It was an amazing race," Veugen said. "I met some amazing teachers, parents, and students, and I am humbled that they thought I could work on their behalf."

Veugen said that the closeness of the race demonstrated that the community was conflicted about the best way to address the challenges faced by Wareham Public Schools. She said her first step would be "to reach out to those people who looked to the other candidate" and incorporate their ideas and opinions.

"Both [Lynne and I] said that no matter what the outcome, we'd support each other in helping the Wareham School system to make it as good as it can be," Veugen said after the results were announced.

Veugen, who has professional experience in community-building, civic-engagement, and balancing budgets, based her campaign on thinking differently about how to get resources into schools, with an emphasis on getting the community involved in education to ease the sting of school budget limitations. She also wants to expand programs already in place that encourage accountability and goal-setting among students.

Collaboration among all parties involved in education is essential, Veugen said. "I feel the key to collaboration is to listen first, work to agree on solutions or next steps, document objectives, and monitor progress."

Veugen said she wants to be part of a School Committee that continues forward-thinking. "It's about finding creative and additional ways for involvement in the future and achievements of our students."

During her campaign, Burroughs said she wanted to address special education deficits within schools and restructure classrooms to accommodate different learning styles. She also expressed the desire to make the school budget more transparent and put money "back into the pockets of the children" by reducing administrative costs.