High-profile attempts by write-in candidates to defeat those listed on the ballot were apparently unsuccessful in at least two school board races Tuesday.

In Jamestown, where a full slate of five write-in candidates for Jamestown Area School Board was trying to defeat five candidates who swept the primary, the best showing by a write-in, Kevin Flock, was less than half that of the on-the-ballot candidate, who came in fifth.

The write-in candidates were driven by their support for the renovations at Jamestown Senior-Junior High School. The five candidates who were on the ballot are opposed to parts of the construction plan.

Two write-in campaigns inspired by news stories about Mercer school board candidate Eldon Watson's request for the names and addresses of all kindergarten students failed by wide margins.

Watson drew more than 400 votes to land the two-year seat from East Lackawannock and Jefferson townships, more than twice the total pulled by write-in candidate Joe Phillips, and far beyond the 18 votes won by Alistair Kelly, the other write-in candidate.