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Hidden with code "Submitted as Feature"
News :: Education
Urbana School Board Meeting Turns Surreal Current rating: 0
08 Apr 2003
Today the newly elected Urbana School Board was officially seated. However, events were anything but "normal". Front-runner Carol George (who won the popular election) stepped down from her position as the new School Board member from the second sub-district as the newly elected members were being asked to take their oath of office (but after they had been recognized by the existing School Board). No one on the School Board was entirely sure how to proceed and what followed was an interesting experiment in "covering the bases" proceedurally.

The current make-up of the School Board is now:

Sub-district 1. Joyce Hudson -- 4 yr term
Sub-district 2. Jerry Moreland -- 4 yr term
Sub-district 3. Ruth Ann Fisher -- 2 yr term
Sub-district 4. Cope Cumpston -- 2 yr term
Sub-district 5. Mark Netter -- 2 yr term
Sub-district 6. Steve Summers -- 4 yr term
Sub-district 7. John Dimit -- 4 yr term
Phyllis Clark, Elected City Clerk, contested Carol George's seating on the Urbana School Board stating that, Ms. George's "entire candidacy was invalid." Ms. Clark's main concern was that Ms. George was not a resident of the City of Urbana for the requisite amount of time prior to running. Ms. Clark further stated that Ms. George "misrepresented her intentions" and that the existing School Board was mislead by "Ms. George's antics." Ms. Clark made an eleventh-hour appeal that Ms. George not take her seat. A second citizen who spoke before the School Board mirrored these sentiments. Aaron Ammonds, Ms George's husband, refuted the issue of misrepresenting. He stated that people shouldn't believe the mainstream media who "are trying to destroy the character of my wife."

"This Board is required to approve" the election results, stated School Board member Mark Netter. Mr. Netter voiced his concern over the election of Carol George, "there is the right thing to do...and there's the law." John Dimit motioned to file a "quo warranto action" to determine whether Ms. George could legally represent the district to which she was elected. Mr. Dimit instructed the staff to fully co-operated with that investigation. Laura Haber and Tina Gunsalus abstained, and the motion passed 5-0.

Before Laura Haber swore in the newly elected School Board members, Carol George asked to speak. She gave a powerful and moving speech, stating that her "purpose in running for the School Board was to give representation to those who didn't have it...I have never misrepresented anything in my life. Being an example for my family and my children is the number one priority in my life," Ms. George stated.

"I will vacate this seat of my own free will. I will not stop pursuing justice for these children, whether I'm on this side of the table or that one. Many people told me to lots of things, but I will only do what I believe is right at this moment and I will vacate." Jerry Moreland, the runner-up in sub-district 2, accepted the position vacated by Carol George, and the newly elected Board Members were sworn in by retiring School Board Secretary Laura Haber.

Following the swearing in of the new Urbana School Board, a motion to accept the pledge of vacation of office by Carol George passed. A second motion to appoint Jerry Moreland to the position of representative of sub-district 2 was then passed and Mr. Moreland was sworn in a second time. Phyllis Clark pronounced the proceedings as "legal and appropriate."

Thus, the new Urbana School Board, as of 04/08/03:
Sub-district 1. Joyce Hudson -- 4 yr term
Sub-district 2. Jerry Moreland -- 4 yr term
Sub-district 3. Ruth Ann Fisher -- 2 yr term
Sub-district 4. Cope Cumpston -- 2 yr term
Sub-district 5. Mark Netter -- 2 yr term
Sub-district 6. Steve Summers -- 4 yr term
Sub-district 7. John Dimit -- 4 yr term

Retiring School Board members Laura Haber and Tina Gunsalus were recognized by the School Board. Superintendent Gene Amberg presented to Laura Haber a plaque for membership and excellent performance on the Urbana School Board for the years 1995-2003. Ms. Haber spoke about her experiences as a School Board member, commending the staff for their hard work and patience.

Mr. Amberg then presented to Tina Gunsalus a plaque for her position on the Urbana School Board since 1991. "It's been an honor and a privilege to serve," said Gunsalus. She also advised the remaining Board members that they remember what it's like to be a new Board member, and be as helpful as possible to the new Board members.

Deb Tuttle stated that is was tradition to send a letter of thank you and that a book would be donated in each of the departing School Board members' names. Mr. Amberg stated that there would be a tree planted for each of them also.

Joyce Hudson was elected president of the School Board. John Dimit was elected Vice President. Ruth Ann Fisher was elected Secretary. And Mark Netter was elected to the position of Secretary Pro-temp.
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