Topeka ? After two days of debate and six ballots, the Kansas State Board of Education finally has its new chairman.

David Dennis, a Wichita Republican, was elected Wednesday on a 6-4 vote, ending an impasse that developed Tuesday as the board reorganized its leadership.

Dennis, a teacher and former Air Force officer, replaces Kansas City Democrat Janet Waugh.

The 10-member board was still at odds over who should be vice chairman. The election of Dennis had been deadlocked at 5-5 after the board couldn’t decide, in separate votes, between Republicans Jana Shaver of Independence, Sally Cauble of Liberal and Ken Willard of Hutchinson.

In 2003, the board took seven ballots to elect a chairman when it was divided among conservatives and a coalition of moderate Republicans and Democrats.