Candidates opposed to teaching 'critical race theory' in the classroom have swept a local school board election in Texas, following a bitterly contested campaign that saw passions rise on both sides.

In Saturday's election in Southlake, candidates opposed to the new curriculum won the two open seats on the Carroll Independent School District board overwhelmingly, with nearly 70 percent of the vote.

The election followed a harsh dispute over plans the district introduced last summer to require diversity and inclusion training after a video went viral showing some of its high school students laughing as they shouted the N-word. 

Parents packed school board meetings to oppose the plan, arguing it would create 'diversity police' and discriminate against white children. Some even pulled their kids out of the district, and one mother sued, pausing the plan's implementation.

In Saturday's election, the result was a landslide, with candidates backed by the conservative Southlake Families PAC winning every race by a nearly 40-point margin, according to Southlake Style.

In addition to the two seats up for election on the school board, conservative candidates swept the elections for mayor and two open city council seats.

Voter turnout for the election shattered participation records for a local race in Southlake. 

The results, which come amid a national debate about lessons on race in the classroom, were as a victory for parents who view critical race theory (CRT) as damaging and divisive. But the outcome was a bitter disappointment for those who view CRT as vital to fighting racism.