Topeka ? Bill Wagnon went to bed thinking he might have lost a bid for his third term on the State Board of Education.

But Wagnon, a Democrat, awoke Wednesday a 2,600-vote winner over Republican challenger Bob Meissner in the 4th District. It was the only contested board race in the general election.

Wagnon’s victory over Meissner, a Topeka dentist, was in doubt until the last precinct was reported in Douglas County. Meissner’s early lead dropped to only 70 votes before results from that last precinct swept it away.

The final tally was 59,681, or 51 percent, for Wagnon, to 57,032, or 49 percent, for Meissner.

“He was a pretty credible candidate,” Wagnon said. “I don’t think I am surprised.”

Meissner’s wife, Sharon, said he spent Election Day in Guatemala teaching dentistry, a commitment he was unable to reschedule.

“He was personally disappointed and disappointed for those who had worked on the campaign,” his wife said. “We ran a hard race. It’s always hard to unseat to an incumbent.”

Since 2003, the board has been split 5-5 between conservative Republicans and a coalition of moderate Republicans and Democrats, including Wagnon.

However, in August, conservatives gained a 6-4 majority with the GOP primary victory of Kathy Martin, a retired Clay County teacher who argues creationism and evolution should be taught together in classrooms.

Wagnon opposes any attempt to teach creationism or related ideas in science classes. Meissner said he would keep an open mind about what should be taught.

The new conservative majority could alter the state’s science standards, which treat evolution as among a few key concepts students must learn.

A committee has been revising the current standards, written in 2001 when a moderate board majority took control and reversed a 1999 decision to delete most references to evolution, sparking international ridicule. Wagnon expects the board to come to a brief stop when the standards are approved — and ultimately adopted — but not cause the same kind of furor as in 1999.

Education funding also remains a big issue. The Kansas Supreme Court is expected to rule by January on an appeal of a lower court ruling that found the state’s school finance scheme was unconstitutional.

“The most important thing that’s going to happen is the consequences of the Supreme Court decision and to make sure the money is wisely spent,” Wagnon said.

The 4th District covers Shawnee and Wabaunsee counties and parts of Douglas and Osage counties.

Wagnon, 65, was elected to the board in 1996 and won a second term in 2000. He has been a history professor at Washburn University since 1968.

Meissner, 53, served 12 years on the Shawnee Heights school board in eastern Shawnee County.