Board vote will have to wait until fall

By By Leada Gore, Hartselle Enquirer
The decision on whether to change to an elected school board in Hartselle will have to wait until November.
The city has received a letter from Attorney General Troy King in relation to the planned referendum. City officials had hoped the decision on whether to change to an elected school board could be decided in June. Now, because the vote has to receive Justice Department clearance, it would be November at the earliest.
The Justice Department requires preclearance for all referendums related to education, in accordance with the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Hartselle voters will be deciding on whether they want to move from its current appointed school board to an elected one. If voters approve the change, the first school board races will be in 2012.