LYNN – Score one for the penny pinchers.Incumbent School Committee candidate Donna Coppola proved that money did not rule all this election season, taking home the most votes in the November School Committee election while raising, and spending the least of any candidate.According to campaign finance reports released Thursday Coppola spent just $1,080.56, while raising only $276.44, compared to the highest spending candidate, sixth-place finisher Maria Carrasco, who spent $7,258.78 and raised $3,975,00. Coppola began the campaign with a left-over balance of $1,318.26, leaving her with a balance of $514.14.Of the donations listed, which is anything over $50, Coppola’s largest donation came from the Lynn Teacher’s Union, in the form of a $150 pledge to her effort.Carrasco, who enjoyed backing from many private citizens both in and outside the city, began her campaign with $2,612.01, leaving her with $6,587.01 after donations. Her expenditures well exceeded those of other candidates, and left her with a $671.77 campaign deficit.Among the largest donations for any candidate, Carrasco received $500 apiece from Harvard University Associate Director Ellen Sarkisian and retired Cambridge resident A.A. Rockefeller. She also received a total of $300 from attorney Anne Carrigan Gugino of Marblehead, and $200 from My Brother’s Table Director Mary Magner of Nahant.St. Mary’s Athletic Director Jeffrey Newhall, who was fifth in the election, received the highest amount of financial backing, the majority of which came from well-known city residents and School Department employees.Beginning with $185.03 left over from his previous campaign, Newhall received $4,345 in donations and spent just $2,386.36, leaving him with a surplus of $2386.36 – $2120.03 of which will be put toward outstanding liabilities, or expenses that he has yet to pay from the campaign.Newhall received $50 from several current and former city and school employees, including Harrington School Principal Joe Cole, Mayor’s Office employee Mike Conlon, Deputy Tax Collector Ralph Cronin, City Personnel Director Joseph Driscoll Jr., City Treasurer Richard Fortucci, School Committee Secretary Thomas Iarrobino, School Resource Officer John Mackin, Curriculum Director Richard McGuinness, former Deputy Superintendent William Frost, School Business Administrator Steven Upton, Deputy Superintendent Jaye Warry, and former Fire Chief Joseph Scanlon.Newhall also received a $100 donation from EDIC Director James Cowdell, $200 from Gary Beaver of Complete Cleaning Company on Chestnut St. and a $150 from Former Senator Walter Boverini.Veteran School Committee member John E. Ford Jr., who finished fourth in the election, began the campaign with a $1,552.64 deficit and was able to raise $1,625, bringing him to a $72.36 balance before expenditures. Ford spent $3,541.23 on his campaign, leaving him $3,468.87 in the red after the final numbers were in.Ford enjoyed financial backing from the Lynn Teacher’s Union, in the form of $150, along with $100 donations from his cousin, City Councilor Richard Ford and Veteran’s Director Michael Sweeney and his family.Challenger George Meimeteas, who finished last in the election, failing to win a seat on the board in his first try, began his campaign with $416.04 and was able to raise $2155.00 from supporters. Meimeteas spent 2145.00, leaving him with a positive balance of $426.04 after the election. All of Meimeteas’ donations came from private citizens in and around the Lynn area.Finally, first-time candidate Charlie Gallo, who just missed the sixth and final spot by 35 votes, was not shy about spending, dropping $5,355.21 on his campaign.Gallo began with a $4,609.04 balance and raised an additional $1,090.00 through fundraising to bring his fund up to $5,699.04 before expenditures. After the campaign, Gallo is plus $343.83, but still owes $2,770.00 for outstanding liabilities.Gallo had only two donors contribute over $50, one of which was himself, in the f