SCHOOL BOARD AGREES TO HOLD SPECIAL ELECTION

THE SIOUX CITY SCHOOL BOARD HAS APPROVED A RESOLUTION TO HOLD A SPECIAL ELECTION FOR THE FINAL SEVEN MONTHS OF THE BOARD SEAT VACATED BY NANCY MOUNTS.

MOUNTS RESIGNED LAST YEAR, AND THE BOARD APPOINTED JOHN MEYERS TO FILL THE REMAINDER OF THE TERM. BUT BECAUSE WESTERN IOWA TECH IS HOLDING A LEVY VOTE ON FEBRUARY 5TH, STATE CODE REQUIRES THE DISTRICT TO HOLD AN ELECTION TO FILL THE SEAT.

THE BOARD VOTED 5 TO 1 TO HOLD THE ELECTION, EVEN THOUGH MOST OF THEM AND SCHOOL ATTORNEY DAN MOORE DISAGREED WITH THE STATE CODE INTERPRETATION;



DOUG BATCHELLER WAS THE LONE VOTE AGAINST THE ELECTION CITING COST AS A REASON:

CONCERNS WERE EXPRESSED AT THE MEETING THAT IF THE BOARD DID NOT AGREE TO HOLD THE ELECTION AND A LEGAL CHALLENGE WAS ISSUED, COURT COSTS AND LEGAL FEES COULD EXCEED THE $20,000 COST OF THE ELECTION.

MEYERS, WHO DID NOT ATTEND THE MEETING, PREVIOUSLY STATED HE WOULD RUN IN THE SPECIAL ELECTION TO FINISH THE TERM. ANYONE ELSE INTERESTED IN RUNNING FOR THE SEVEN MONTH TERM NEEDS TO OBTAIN A NOMINATION PETITION AND RETURN IT TO THE SCHOOL OFFICE BY 5PM ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 11TH.

COUNTY AUDITOR PAT GILL SAYS NO PRIMARY WOULD BE HELD IF SEVERAL CANDIDATES FILE TO RUN. THEY WOULD ALL BE LISTED ON THE BALLOT.