Tuscola BOE holds special meeting about election

By Kendra Hennis 
The Tuscola board of education held a special board meeting at 6 p.m. on Friday, August 14 to further discuss the ongoing school board member vacancy and upcoming election. All members were present with members Cathy Mannen, Martin Marx and Brad Ingram meeting remotely. 

Since meeting last, the board received new information that due to the last election and the fact that the board needed to appoint a member to fill the vacancy, they had to include a resolution on the ballot for the November election giving the option for voters to decide to keep the current election process the same, or move to an at-large vote. 

The resolution in question states, “the resolution providing for and requiring the submission of the proposition for election of board members at large without restriction by area of residence within the district instead of the current restriction that no more than three shall be selected from the congressional townships from any one area to the voters of Tuscola Community School Unit District 301, Douglas and Champaign Counties  Illinois, at the general election to be held the third day in November, 2020.” 

In November,  voters will vote to keep the current three board members from each selected township, or move to at-large for future board member elections. If voters choose to move to an at-large election for 2021, all board members will be up for possible reelection. 

Board member Darold Spillman made a motion to approve the resolution, which was seconded by Jessi Young. The board followed by unanimously approving the resolution. 

The board then made a motion to adjourn at 6:06 p.m.