(KMZA)--Voters in Nemaha Central USD 115 in a special election Tuesday rejected an attempt to recall  longtime Board of Education member Owen Zinke.

Unofficial results showed 549 votes cast against the recall of Zinke, with 145 votes in favor.

District patrons concerned about the board's stance on mandatory mask requirements for students and teachers in the 2020-2021 school year circulated a petition asking for the recall election.

Zinke has represented position 7, the " at large" position on the school board, since USD 115 was established in 2011, and was previously a member of the board of USD 442.  He currently serves as board vice-president.

A similar attempt to recall board member Amy Sudbeck was rejected by voters in the November general election.