Elections to vote for school board members have changed from June to May.
After a public hearing on Oct. 27, Lake Orion School Board members decided to hold an annual election in May. The board chose not to have school elections in odd years in November.
The change in election times was mandated by a new state law.
Only one person, Howard Sherman, a former school board member, spoke during the hearing. He was in favor of conducting school elections in November (odd years).
‘The school board should act as a role model, to participate in voting,? he said.
According to Sherman, recent voter turnout for June school board elections has been low, less than 5 percent. By staying with a spring election, he believes the board is encouraging low voter turnout.
‘It’s obvious you don’t want voter participation,? he added.
‘I would like to think people don’t have a problem with anything and not the date (the election takes place),? vice president Bob Gritzinger said.
Sherman said board members didn’t follow legal procedures when they determined at a meeting on Sept. 8 they wanted to have the election in May.
‘You didn’t hold a public hearing first. You’re out of compliance. Any vote you take tonight is meaningless,? he added.
LO School Superintendent Dr. Craig Younkman disputed Sherman’s claim. He said the resolution on the election time was prepared by the district’s legal council who complied with all the requirements.
‘The board had to inform the public of our intent so comments could be made (before a board vote),? Dr. Younkman added.
Board members preferred the May election because it coincides with the district’s fiscal year July1-June 30, making it easier for new members on the board.
A November election date would be out of sequence with the school year and make it harder to bring new members on board.
Dr. Younkman said he has checked with other school districts in Oakland County and most have adopted the annual May election time or are contemplating doing so.
Board members felt school issues would get lost if they were put on a November ballot.
‘I would much rather have a lower turnout with an informed voter than one that just gets out and votes, maybe for a personality,? board member Jim Weidman said.