FULTON, NY – The Fulton Board of Education has been in limbo after a board member unexpectedly resigned from her seat on the board.
Paula Hayden resigned from her position as a board member in December 2017. Since then, the remaining six board members have grappled with how to move forward in handling the vacant seat.
The board considered three initial options: to hold a special election to fill the seat, leave the seat vacant until the May 2018 election, or appoint someone to fill the position until the election.
The board quickly and unanimously rejected the option to host a special election given the costs associated.
However, they were then split in deciding between leaving the seat vacant and appointing a replacement.
At Tuesday’s (Jan 9) regular meeting, the six remaining members continued to debate the situation.
The board will temporarily be down another board member as Tim Crandell has requested to be excused for the next two upcoming meetings.
For that reason, some board members expressed urgency in appointing a replacement to avoid potential issues of not being able to complete a quorum in case of emergencies or sickness leaving other members from attending a meeting.
Board vice president, Dan Pawlewicz said he was in favor of one former board member who expressed interest in being named to the seat, Christine Plath, a volunteer he thought brought appropriate experience and would be able to “hit the ground running” especially when considering upcoming budget discussions.
Pawlewicz made a motion to appoint Plath to the vacant seat until the May 2018 election, a motion that was seconded by board member Tim Crandell.
However, the resolution resulted in a tie as board president David Cordone joined Pawlewicz and Crandell with a vote in favor, but board members Robin Griffin, Brenda Abelgore, and Lynn Lyons voted against the motion.
“I just want to be clear, it’s not about the person when I vote no, it’s about the fact that the process should be open if you’re going to do it,” Griffin said.
Griffin, Abelgore, and Lyons suggested that the search be opened to any interested parties fitting certain criteria as letters of interest had not yet been solicited.
“I think obviously experience goes a long way,” Superintendent Pulvino offered. “I think having seven voices at the table is an important piece because I believe that all the perspectives are what help us make better decisions.”
He suggested acting sooner rather than later considering budget discussions are approaching quickly.
Ultimately, the discussion continued until the board settled at a decision to solicit letters of interest from anyone interested that also fits the necessary criteria.
The board will act on an appointment by the next board meeting on Tuesday, Jan 23.
The official announcement from the Fulton Board of Education can be found on the district website and is also listed here:
“After much discussion, the Board is inviting letters of interest from any eligible member of the school community to apply for appointment to serve in the vacant seat through May 15.
Per the District’s website, BOE Policy # 2121.0 lists the required qualifications for one to serve as a board member. The policy states…“A candidate for the office of member of the Board of Education shall meet the following qualifications:”
- be at least eighteen years of age;
- be able to read and write English;
- be a citizen of the United States;
- be a qualified voter of the District;
- be a resident of the school District for at least one year prior to election;
- not have been removed from any school District office within the preceding year;
- not reside with another member of the same School Board of Education as a member of the same family;
- not be a current employee of the School Board of Education; and
- not simultaneously hold another incompatible public office.
No employee of the school District may be a member of the Board of education, except as permitted by law.
Ref: Education Law §§2102; 2103
Per the Board’s public discussion of January 9, the Board will consider criteria in addition to those listed by its policy, not requiring all of these criteria for an applicant’s consideration. These additional criteria are:
- Membership or service on a Site-based Team for one or more of our school buildings
- Membership and service in of one of our school building’s Parent Group organizations
- Membership to any parent group in support of our athletic, music or extracurricular programs
- Prior participation on the Budget Subcommittee of the Board of Education
- Prior service as a member of the Fulton Board of Education
- Completion of the mandatory board member training on board governance and fiscal oversight
All applicants must be available for Board meetings of February 13 and 27; March 13 and 27; April 10 and 24; and May 8.
The potential appointment of a successful applicant will be contingent upon the applicant’s completion of “New Board Member Orientation” (per BOE Policy #2510), which will be scheduled for a date and time between January 24 and February 8, 2018.
Interested applicants may send their letter of interest to Mr. David Cordone, President of the Fulton Board of Education. Letters may be sent to his email address: [email protected] and copied to Ms. Jean Perry, Secretary to the Superintendent at [email protected].
All letters of interest must be received by 5 p.m. on Thursday, January 18, 2018.”
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