After a controversial strike ending in a court ruling, Tim Clark, running for the Kent School District director position five, appears to have all but claimed victory for the open seat.

Clark had 62.3 percent of the vote as of Wednesday at 4:30 p.m., and Dale Smith had 37.23 percent of the vote.

This summer Smith withdrew his nomination, because of changes with his employment at Boeing, but it was too late to remove his name from the ballot. Smith said he would not serve if elected.

The official winners won’t be announced until February 24th, but with Clark’s lead this late in the counting process, it’s almost certain he’ll be named winner.

The current director, Sandy Collins, is retiring after 32 years of service.

About 3,700 students in the Kent district have Renton addresses.