With the recall of two Jewell School District board members came the announcement that at least two other board members have turned in their resignations leaving the Jewell School Board without a quorum and unable to operate. According to Oregon statutes the Education Service Division (ESD) must step in and appoint enough board members to make a quorum.
Jim Mabbott, Superintendent of Northwest Regional ESD (NWRESD), stated that as of today ESD does not have evidence that the Jewell School District does not have a quorum. The recall still needs to be certified (which takes about fifteen days) and NWRESD has not received letters of resignation from any Jewell board members.
“Should that happen,” stated Mabbott, “ESD would step in and appoint only as many board members as it would take to make up a quorum and then our job is done.” It has been reported that in addition to recalled board members Ann Samuelson and Karl Meiers, board members Alan Foster and Cathy Rozinek have both turned in letters of resignation in protest of the recall.
Mabbott described what the Jewell community could expect from ESD, “We would send out a letter informing the community how many board members ESD will be appointing, enough to make up a quorum. We would set a time line and allow people who have expressed an interest to apply for an appointment to the board. The appointment would last until the next board election, which, I believe, is in 2009.”
According to Mabbott, at the time that a quorum of three is formed ESD’s job is done. Those three would be responsible to vote unanimously for any motion before the board, including the appointment of the fourth member. After the appointment of the fourth member the board could pass a motion by a vote of 3-1.
“The Jewell community needs to do everything it can to get a fully operating board,” Mabbott emphasized, otherwise the board would not be able to move forward. The Jewell School District is struggling to come into compliance with state regulations and update its policies. Jewell’s most recent policy update had been 2004, and even now many of its policies date back to 1997 and 1999. The Oregon School Board Association regularly sends out policy updates throughout the school year, usually on a quarterly basis, to make sure that school boards have the latest policy information that is pertinent to their schools and can see what other school districts have found beneficial for an effective and efficient district.
Mabbott went on to explain that the date that ESD is notified that a school district no longer has a quorum NWRESD Board Chair Gail Young could direct Superintendent Mabbott to start the process of advertising for interested community members. Young could then call board members to see if they would be available for a special meeting or wait until the next meeting, which in this case is June 17. Fifteen days from the election date is June 11, at which time the recall would be certified and becomes official. The next regular Jewell Board meeting is set for June 16 with a special board meeting slated for June 9. Meiers and Samuelson remain board members until the recall has been certified.
In Ranier, Oregon, which is also part of the NWRESD service district, six of the seven school board members are up for recall. That election will be held on Tuesday, May 27.
The NWRESD released the following Press Release:
PRESS RELEASE
May 22, 2008
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Superintendent Jim Mabbott’s Office 503-614-1401
Northwest Regional Education Service District to Appoint Jewell School Board Members
On May 20, 2008, the voters of the Jewell School District recalled board members Karl Meier and Ann Samuelson. Since then, two others have submitted their resignations in protest of the recall vote. The Northwest Regional Education Service District (NWRESD) is unclear as to the effective dates of those resignations. NWRESD Board Chair Gail Young stated that “Once we have verified that the Jewell School District Board of Directors is short of a quorum, our board will abide by the statute and develop a process to appoint additional board members until a quorum is reached. We will work with the Jewell superintendent and any remaining board members to make sure that the process is equitable, timely and clearly communicated.” All board discussion regarding this issue will take place in a public meeting.
As the state’s largest ESD, the Northwest Regional Education Service District provides special education, instructional services and technology support to 20 school districts in Columbia, Clatsop, Tillamook and Washington counties. NWRESD represents one of the most diverse education service districts in Oregon, serving school districts ranging in size from approximately 200 students to more than 35,000.
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