Based on unofficial early voting results, the Fountain Hills School Board could be getting three new members come January.

Incumbent Karl Gaardsmoe had the least number of votes based on preliminary results released by the county Elections Department at 8 p.m. Tuesday. Early leaders were Judy Rutkowski, 3122 early votes; Wendy Barnard, 2979; and Edith Stock, 2921 votes. Challenger Robert Gomez had 2438 early ballots, while Gaardsmoe had 2420.

As for the School District's capital override, early results show the measure being down by a mere 131 votes. There were 3651 early votes against the override, with 3520 registered voters in favor of the override extension.

Updated voting numbers could be released later Tuesday evening by the county, and typically a later update will be given by officials on Friday afternoon for ballots counted and verified that came in on election day.

Gaardsmoe and the budget override could potentially be victims of controversial incidents surrounding FHUSD in the past two months regarding two teachers -- the School Board firing of Pam Aister and the resignation of Christie Slegers due to unsubstantiated claims she made regarding an Olympic medal and a Ph.D.

School Board incumbents Helen Howard and Melanie Anderelli chose not to seek re-election.