FeedsSchool board recall petition dismissed
Residents who hoped to recall members of the Van Buren Public Schools Board of Education had their petition denied last week by the Wayne County Board of Elections.
The election commissioners dismissed the ballot language of the petition for ‘lacking clarity.’ The commissioners must approve the language before any petitions can legally be circulated, according to Paul Henning, spokesperson for the school district.
“The petition was not clear enough for residents to read and understand what the issue is,” he said. “Now, it’s up to those citizens if they want to pursue it or not. It’s their right.”
The petition, filed by resident Beverly Yurchack, stated that each of the five board members—Robert Coutts, Toni Hunt, Keith Johnston, Ralph Nodwell and Martha Toth—have directly participated in making decisions contrary to the desires of the majority of the electorate. It also said board members were ignoring formal objections and concerns about the development of a new high school, being repeatedly influenced by vested interest groups, have demonstrated poor judgment in a high school site selection, used nepotism in staffing selection, used a bond issue based on athletic advancement and have generally lacked in responsiveness to the wishes of the community.
Hunt said she was shocked at how un-informed the people who pursued the recall really are.
“Someone needs to do their homework,” she said. “Our job is to try and improve the school district. No one is actively pursuing plans for a new high school now. We have not discussed it at board meeting or work-study session so I’m baffled on how they can make that accusation. We need the facilities, but we’re not actively pursuing that now.”
“I don’t think they have a specific reason to recall. It’s a tax issue and they don’t want to support the community,” Hunt added.
Toth said while people are entitled to the right of recall, it’s hard for her to understand this one.
“Recalls are an important part of the system, but when people can’t even run for a seat on the school board, I don’t get it,” she said. “It seems to me like that would be the simplest way to change leadership in the district.”
Recall petitioners can now retool the language and refile for another hearing.
School officials said they have always had the best interests of the district in mind.
“I think we need to get the information out there on what we’re doing,” said Hunt.“We’re doing our jobs with sincere attempt for what’s best for the district,” Toth added. “I always worry about the publicity of a recall though because it tends to give something of a black eye.”
