Open board seat on agenda

Burnt Hills-ballston Lake in a bind after resignation

One week after the school board election, a Burnt Hills-ballston Lake school board member resigned — setting off criticism from those who felt he should have announced his plans before the election.

Now the school board is trying to decide how to replace John Blowers, a 17-year board member who must resign because he is moving out of the district. The board could hold another election, select someone or appoint the person who received the third-highest number of votes in last month’s election. Eight people ran for the two positions up for a vote last month, and the winners each received nearly three times as many votes as Emily Walsh, the first runner-up.

Walsh is a member of the parents rights group that tried to “take back” school boards last month. The movement was only successful in a handful of races, but had members running in almost every school board race in the Capital Region. Many supporters want Walsh appointed — and many others specifically want her not appointed, Board President David Versocki said.

He sent out a letter to the community Tuesday acknowledging the dilemma.

“Originally, we were prepared to collect letters of interest from qualified residents who are interested in serving out the vacant term. This has been past practice in the district when a preterm board seat became vacant due to a resignation,” he wrote. “Since then, however, I have received many emails asking that the board consider appointing the candidate on the May 17 ballot who received the third highest number of votes (Emily Walsh) to fill the vacancy. Conversely, I have also received a large number of communications from residents who expressed they feel the vote results would have been much different had there been three board vacancies at the time of election and are urging the board to consider a special election.”

Walsh said “the most appropriate course of action” would be to appoint her since she finished third.

On social media, she also has received some district resident support.

“The only right thing for the board to do is appoint the candidate that had the 3rd highest number of votes this past election,

Emily Walsh. The election was weeks ago and the voters’ will should not be ignored!” one man wrote. “The arrogance of elected officials ignoring the voters and saying they should decide who represents the community is offensive and everything wrong with political bodies today.”

It’s common practice for political bodies to appoint a member of the majority, or a member that represents the views of the people who can make the appointment, when there is a vacancy. It happens at every level, from town boards to Congress.

Appointments last only until the next election. In this case, that would be May 2023.

The board will discuss the matter at the July 13 meeting, Versocki said.

“I recognize there are differing opinions throughout the community as to how to best fill the board vacancy. I also know that the community deserves to hear the board’s open and honest discussion and see the transparency in our decision,” he wrote. “It’s likely that not everyone will agree with whatever decision the board makes, but it’s important for the community to see how the board approaches the discussion, weighs the options, and makes an informed decision.”