Board change relegated to long wait
Hartselle’s appointed school board will remain in office for nearly two more years even though voters overwhelming opted for an elected board in a special referendum Nov. 2.
The change over won’t occur until Oct. 1, 2012, following the next municipal election in August 2012, according to Act 2010-113, which was adopted during the 2010 legislative session.
The law provides for terms of office, qualifications, and compensation and prescribes procedures for electing members and filling vacancies. It also provides for the election of a chairman and vice chairman by members of the new board.
The board will have five members, with each member being elected at-large by a majority of Hartselle’s qualified voters. Candidates for election must reside within the boundaries of the city, be at least 19 years of age and be a resident of the city for at least 90 consecutive days immediately preceding the deadline date for qualifying. The candidate also must not have a record or conviction for any crime involving moral turpitude, including any crime involving fraud or wrongdoing.
All of the board members will be elected at the same time, assume office at the same time and serve the same four-year term as members of the Hartselle City Council. Each will be paid $500 per month with compensation after that left up to the board.
The board will elect its own chairman and vice chairman with duties of each office prescribed by law.
The board will have the authority to fill vacancies by a majority vote, if action is taken within 45 days of the vacancy. If the vacancy is not filled by the board, the chairman will have the option to make the appointment if done within 45 days. After that, the vacancy may be filled by the State Superintendent of Education.
The city’s first school board was appointed by the mayor and city council in July 1975 shortly after the city school district was formed. The late Dick Stoner, Barry Halford, the late Elaine Duncan, Elmo Kerr and Larry Anders comprised the first board, serving staggered terms. They and future appointed board have served without compensation.
Then
The next school term up for appointment will be that of Jeff Gray. His term will expire next June. The council will have the authority to make an appointment to be effective until the new elected school board assumes office.
For those interested in becoming a candidate for the city’s first elected school board, qualifying will open in July 2012, according, according to Rita Lee, city clerk/controller. The qualifying fee will be $50.
