May school board votes may be a thing of the past, as Clarkston Board of Education voted to move them to November.
‘It’ll save some money and increase voter participation,? said board Vice President Susan Boatman, who voted for the vote-switch resolution along with Treasurer Joe Armstrong, Secretary Cheryl McGinnis, Trustee Rosalie Lieblang, and Trustee Joan Patterson.
Board President Stephen Hyer and Trustee Barry Bomier voted against it.
‘I hope it works out in the best interests of the district and kids,? Hyer said.
According to the resolution, school board members will run for six-year terms in November, even-numbered years, piggybacking on regular elections run by local governments.
Board seats will be staggered, with 2-3 candidates per election. Initial set up includes one candidate up for election in 2010, four in 2012, and two in 2014.
Two residents, former school board member Sheila Hughes and Larry Morgan, spoke during public hearing before the Aug. 24 meeting.
Hughes urged the board to table the issue for more research.
‘I urge you to be very cautious,? she said. ‘You can’t go back and change this one. It will be written in stone for you.?
Morgan read a letter to the editor he sent to The Clarkston News this past April.
‘It’s a no brainer decision,? he said. ‘The cost savings and larger turn out of voters alone should make this mandatory by the state.?
Bomier opposed loss of local control as well as the length of the new terms.
‘I think six-year terms are absolutely insane ? it’s wrong,? Bomier said. ‘Four year terms allow new people and new ideas.?
Patterson was also concerned with the six-year terms.
‘It’s important to be in front of public every four years, for accountability,? she said. ‘This is not an easy decision.?
McGinnis said cost savings, $30,000-$44,000 per year, was significant.
‘The majority of the budget, we can’t even touch,? she said, referring to employee salaries and benefits determined by contract, about 85 percent of the budget. ‘In what we can control, $44,000 is a much bigger portion.?
School board bylaws, which sets length of terms, will be adjusted, Hyer said.