Board members react to recall decision
Board members react to recall decision
Clarity hearing rejected wording, petitioner says she will re-file
By JOHN PEPIN, Journal Munising Bureau
Earlier this month, Eben Junction resident Tina Yost filed recall petitions against school board member Jon Seppanen and board President Tamera Shega.
Yost reportedly filed the paperwork—which included numerous allegations ranging from micro-managing the school as a school board member to promoting dissension and negativity within the school community—on behalf of a larger group of local residents.
But at a clarity hearing Monday, the 3-member election commission voted 2 to 1 to reject the proposed petition and ballot language, saying the wording needed to be more precise.
Yost said she planned to refile the language after making some modifications.
Seppanen had limited reaction to the commission’s ruling, saying only that he was “pleased.”
Shega said she was relieved at this initial decision. She said she hopes those behind the recall drive realize the action is polarizing local residents.
“I hope the group that’s doing this understands the seriousness of what they are doing to the school community,” Shega said.
The recall is being driven by a controversial decision made in April when the board, including Shega and Seppanen, voted to send a letter to high school Principal Loren Vannest, saying it would not renew his contract.
Vannest, who has been with the district for the past three years, has been criticized by some for being too strict in his dealings with students. He also has had several union grievances filed against him.
School Superintendent Mary Kay Wanska recommended the letter be sent during an April 10 personnel meeting. But two days later, she changed her mind, suggesting she would like another year to work with Vannest.
Since that time, Vannest has left his position. The school district is now actively seeking a new principal to replace him.
Shega said she wants the controversy surrounding Vannest’s employment with the school district to subside.
“I hope with the certainty of the principal’s contract becoming history that things in the community can settle down,” she said.
Shega was elected to the board in June 2003. Seppanen was a write-in candidate who narrowly won election to the board in June 2004.
The school district includes voters in Limestone, Mathias, Rock River and AuTrain townships.
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