Ruth Kelly, left, and Kay Cutting briefly discuss the numerous local questions on the ballot after both stopping to review sample ballots posted in the entrance way of the Cold Spring Community Center in North Kingstown.

The Providence Journal / Kris Craig

NORTH KINGSTOWN — Two school candidates critical of administrators – and especially Supt. James M. Halley – were the top vote getters in an eight-person race for the School Committee yesterday.

The victory could mean rough going for Halley, who just three weeks ago was named School Superintendent of the Year by the state’s top educators.

The two candidates – Democrats April Brunelle and Larry D. Ceresi – have promised to fire Halley before his contract ends in 2008. They say Halley and other administrators have mismanaged school finances and have closed schools in the face of protests from parents.

The third- and fourth-place winners, Democrat Douglas S. Roth and Republican Kimberly Ann Page, say Halley’s removal could end in a costly court battle. Halley cannot be removed without cause, they say.

Another Halley opponent, independent incumbent William C. Mudge III, did not fare as well. The outspoken Mudge placed fifth in the four-seat race. Although he could retain his seat after 678 mail ballots are counted, it’s unlikely; he trailed Page by 428 votes yesterday, according to state Board of Election results.

Other candidates who lost are Republicans Paul L. Dion, Mark D. Halloran and incumbent Republican Barry M. Martasian.

Yesterday’s election capped a year of turmoil in the district. In recent months, two very different pictures of the town’s schools and administrators have surfaced. Three weeks ago, the state’s superintendents praised Halley as a visionary leader. Two months earlier, Operation Clean Government called for an audit of the district’s finances. And some parents and officials are calling for additional probes into school business.

The campaigning was so heavy that political signs yesterday obscured the sign for Hamilton Elementary School, one of the town’s polling places.

Democrats made gains in the Town Council race as well, breaking a 14-year GOP stronghold.

Democrat incumbent Edward J. Cooney was the top vote getter, with 7,666 votes, followed by fellow Democrat Steven Campo, with 6,357 votes, according to state board results.

Council President and Republican incumbent Anthony F. Miccolis Jr. finished in third place, followed by Democrat Edward J. Whittaker and Republican incumbent John A. Patterson.

But the race for the fifth seat could be decided by mail ballots. Patterson is just 31 votes ahead of Republican Shelagh T. McGowan and 75 votes ahead of Democrat Mark Tripp. The candidates who lost a spot on the council are Democrat William H. Gilbert, Republicans Mark S. Zaccaria and Erin P. Carroll and independent Dorman J. Hayes Jr.

“It was a vote of confidence by the citizens of North Kingstown, and I’m honored,” said Cooney, a top vote getter two years ago. “We will provide the leadership that is needed. I pledge to listen and to live up to that vote.”