Regional School Unit 5 directors voted one way in private, and another way in public, when choosing a chairman Wednesday night. But in both cases, Nelson Larkins of Freeport was the winner.

Larkins, the former chairman, was defeated in his run for re-election as a Freeport board member on Nov. 4. He was reinstated to the board two weeks ago by the Town Council. He was the only candidate to replace Peter Murray, who had resigned.

Five weeks following the loss, Larkins returned to his seat during Wednesday’s RSU 5 meeting. Vice Chairwoman Kate Brown of Pownal, who had presided at board meetings since Larkins’ departure, opened the meeting by calling for election of a new chairman. Beth Parker of Freeport nominated Larkins, then Brown nominated Michelle Ritcheson of Durham.

At that point, William Michaud, co-superintendent, told the board they could vote by show of hands or by written ballot. The board elected to vote by secret ballot, indicating what town they represented on the piece of paper.

RSU 5 counts votes in a weighted manner, which gives Freeport votes more value than Durham or Pownal votes. Moreover, six of the 11 board members are from Freeport.

Once the votes were counted and weighed, Larkins had defeated Ritcheson, 686-312. Then, Michaud advised the board that, by RSU 5 statute, votes must be made public. When he called for a show of hands, all 11 board members voted for Larkins.