AUSTIN (January 30, 2013)—Members of the State Board of Education drew straws Wednesday to determine whether they will serve two- or four-year terms.

Wednesday's drawing means Chairwoman Barbara Cargill, a Republican from The Woodlands, will serve four years along with fellow staunch ideological conservatives Ken Mercer of San Antonio and Amarillo's Marty Rowley.

Also choosing four-year terms were El Paso Democrat Martha Dominguez, and Republicans Thomas Ratliff of Mount Pleasant, Houston's Donna Bahorich, Tom Maynard of Florence and Waco's Sue Melton.

There are only five Democrats on the 15-member board, but four of them drew two-year terms, Ruben Cortez of Brownsville, San Antonio's Marisa Perez, Lawrence Allen of Fresno, and Dallas' Mavis Knight.

Also picking two-year terms were Republicans David Bradley of Beaumont, Fort Worth's Patricia Hardy and Geraldine Miller of Dallas.