Two political newcomers were elected to the Board of Education last night after running a joint campaign heavy in advertisement and picking up the endorsement of Hawaii's teachers union.

Carol Mon Lee, a retired associate dean of the University of Hawaii's William S. Richardson School of Law, beat 20-year incumbent Denise Matsumoto for a Honolulu seat on the school board.

Meanwhile, Janis Akuna, a vice president at Morgan Stanley also making her first run for elected office, clinched an Oahu at-large spot on the school board as incumbents Lei Ahu Isa and Garrett Toguchi each secured another four-year term.

Akuna, 58, edged out former lawmaker Terrance Tom, past school board Chairman Randall Yee and professor Darrow Aiona.

Lee, 61, who finished as runner-up to Matsumoto in the primary election after losing by more than 30,000 votes, enjoyed a widening lead as results came in yesterday.

“;I'm gratified to hear that the people of Hawaii acknowledged it's time for a change,”; said Lee, whose main goal is to ensure all children get a high-quality education, regardless of which school they attend.

“;Right now, the budget is such a priority that I would want to spend a lot of time working with the budget,”; she added.

Matsumoto attributed Lee's performance to an advertisement blitz and the support of the Hawaii State Teachers Association.

“;I know that she spent a lot of money,”; Matsumoto said. “;Hopefully, she will go in there and work hard.”;

On the neighbor islands, incumbents Maggie Cox of Kauai and Herbert Watanabe of the Big Island defeated carpenter Larry Fillhart and property manager J. William Sanborn, respectively.

Another incumbent up for re-election this year, Leeward member Breene Harimoto, was unopposed.

The 14-member school board, which includes one student representative, oversees the state Department of Education and sets policy for 283 public schools.

This year, the board was tasked with cutting some $20 million from the Education Department's $2.4 billion budget because of a slow economy that could result in an additional $70 million in reductions for schools next year.

To offset the shortfall, board members have been studying closing or consolidating campuses with declining enrollment and raising meal prices. Higher bus fares also have been considered.

Other key topics before the board include adjustments to a funding formula that allocates money to schools based on student needs, and the escalating testing goals set under the No Child Left Behind law.

A record number of schools are being restructured this academic year for failing to hit federal progress benchmarks toward having all students proficient in reading and math by 2014.

Restructuring is imposed on schools that miss targets - from test participation and results to graduation and retention rates - for four or more years, triggering wide reforms to help raise student achievement at state expense.

A total of 81 of 283 isle schools are being restructured, up almost 70 percent from 48 schools that were in that bottom status last year.