Post by momto4 on Apr 14, 2011 8:23:29 GMT -5
beaconnews.suntimes.com/4804582-417/east-tries-to-block-fultz-from-school-board-seat.html
AURORA — The East Aurora School District announced Wednesday it will ask the court to block Mary Fultz, who was elected to the School Board last week, from being seated.
After the election, the School District received information that Fultz is not a registered voter, as required by state law.
“It’s clear-cut — you need to be a registered voter — and she’s not,” said School Board President Annette Johnson.
If Fultz resigns, a vacancy on the board can be declared.
“It’s up to her. The ball’s in her court,” Johnson said Wednesday.
At Monday’s board meeting, the School Board will introduce a motion for attorneys to pursue a judicial determination of the question, according to Johnson.
Johnson said she has the support of the School Board and East Superintendent Jerome Roberts in attempting to keep Fultz from taking a seat on the board.
Candidates for the School Board must be 18, a U.S. citizen, a registered voter and have been a resident of the School District for at least one year immediately preceding the election. Those requirements are set both by the East Aurora board and Illinois State Board of Elections.
The district sent a letter to Fultz, explaining her voter status made her ineligible to run and asked her to resign. But as of late Wednesday, the district had not received any communication from her, according to Johnson.
According to Aurora Election Commission Executive Director Linda Fechner, Fultz is not registered to vote in Aurora.
“We have to move on. Summer is a busy time for the School District,” Johnson said.
If the court agrees with the board’s opinion that Fultz should not be seated, the School Board will pursue filling the vacancy through an appointment.
New board members are expected to be seated at the May 2 board meeting.
Candidates who ran for the School Board but did not get enough votes will be eligible to apply, Johnson said, but they are subject to the same residency and other requirements.
According to Johnson, candidates must fill out paperwork before waging a campaign for School Board that states they meet requirements.
The School Board is also still reviewing Fultz’s residency credentials.
Pursuing further legal action is costly to the School District, and lawyers have spent “a great deal of time” on the issue already, Johnson said.
Fultz received 48 percent of the vote in the April 5 election, the second-highest number of votes. Incumbent Ray Hull, incumbent Mary Anne Turz and Robert Hill were also elected. Four positions were to be filled.
Candidate Ignacio Cervantes came in fifth in the race.
Fultz, 45, did not return calls Tuesday or Wednesday.
AURORA — The East Aurora School District announced Wednesday it will ask the court to block Mary Fultz, who was elected to the School Board last week, from being seated.
After the election, the School District received information that Fultz is not a registered voter, as required by state law.
“It’s clear-cut — you need to be a registered voter — and she’s not,” said School Board President Annette Johnson.
If Fultz resigns, a vacancy on the board can be declared.
“It’s up to her. The ball’s in her court,” Johnson said Wednesday.
At Monday’s board meeting, the School Board will introduce a motion for attorneys to pursue a judicial determination of the question, according to Johnson.
Johnson said she has the support of the School Board and East Superintendent Jerome Roberts in attempting to keep Fultz from taking a seat on the board.
Candidates for the School Board must be 18, a U.S. citizen, a registered voter and have been a resident of the School District for at least one year immediately preceding the election. Those requirements are set both by the East Aurora board and Illinois State Board of Elections.
The district sent a letter to Fultz, explaining her voter status made her ineligible to run and asked her to resign. But as of late Wednesday, the district had not received any communication from her, according to Johnson.
According to Aurora Election Commission Executive Director Linda Fechner, Fultz is not registered to vote in Aurora.
“We have to move on. Summer is a busy time for the School District,” Johnson said.
If the court agrees with the board’s opinion that Fultz should not be seated, the School Board will pursue filling the vacancy through an appointment.
New board members are expected to be seated at the May 2 board meeting.
Candidates who ran for the School Board but did not get enough votes will be eligible to apply, Johnson said, but they are subject to the same residency and other requirements.
According to Johnson, candidates must fill out paperwork before waging a campaign for School Board that states they meet requirements.
The School Board is also still reviewing Fultz’s residency credentials.
Pursuing further legal action is costly to the School District, and lawyers have spent “a great deal of time” on the issue already, Johnson said.
Fultz received 48 percent of the vote in the April 5 election, the second-highest number of votes. Incumbent Ray Hull, incumbent Mary Anne Turz and Robert Hill were also elected. Four positions were to be filled.
Candidate Ignacio Cervantes came in fifth in the race.
Fultz, 45, did not return calls Tuesday or Wednesday.
