Fulton Board of Ed Considering Options After Hayden Resigns

by Mikayla Kemp | December 18, 2017 11:48 pm

FULTON, NY – The Fulton Board of Education has discussed each of three options to replace a recently resigned board member, leaving a split decision.

Last week, board member Paula Hayden submitted a formal resignation letter effective immediately, as board president David Cordone cited personal reasons necessitating her to step aside.

Hayden had been a board member since her election to the position in May 2016. Her term would expire in June of 2019.

The remaining six board members considered each of three options recommended by the district’s law firm and the New York State School Board Association.

First, they discussed the option to host a special election to replace the vacancy.

There was unanimously no interest in this route due to the costs associated.

The second option allows the current board of education to appoint someone to serve in Hayden’s role until the 2018 election.

Cordone said there is a possibility to appoint a former board member or to solicit letters of interest from the community to serve in the position until May 2018 when a regular election would determine a full replacement to serve a three-year term.

The third option allows the board to continue meeting with only six board members.

Due to their classification as a small city school district, there is no obligation to immediately fill the position.

The six remaining members were split down the middle between appointing a replacement and allowing the seat to remain vacant until May.

Despite the split decision, Cordone does not foresee any issues in moving forward with an even number of board members despite the greater possibility of a tied vote on resolutions.

“We rarely have resolutions that end in a vote of four to three. There’s really only a few times we aren’t unanimous, and most abstaining votes are due to relatives on the resolution,” Cordone said.

The board will further discuss the matter at the next regular meeting scheduled for January 9, 2018 beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the Fulton Education Center located at 167 S. Fourth St.

[mappress mapid=”160″]

Source URL: https://oswegocountytoday.com/news/fulton/fulton-board-of-ed-considering-options-after-hayden-resigns/

---