Honig on Control of School Boards

Honig recently expressed concern about union control of school board members. This concern is punctuated by the recent action of the Westminster Teachers Assn.

The association is circulating a petition that would force a special election, thereby voiding the recent appointment made by the board of trustees. The board appointed Curtis Jones, the fourth-highest vote-getter in the Nov. 5 election--three members were elected to the board. The association alleges that the board acted irresponsibly and contrary to voter opinion in making the appointment.

I take objection to such allegations. Board members were publicly committed to appointing the fourth-highest vote-getter before the election. The board had only two options for filling the vacancy--appoint someone or hold a special election at a cost of $30,000 on the heels of the November election. The board appointed someone who has substantial voter backing. Curtis Jones received 1,300 votes, which is more than any candidate can conceivably get in a special election.

This aggressive role on the part of the Westminster Teachers Assn. to unseat Jones is a flagrant violation of voters’ rights. It is the voters of Westminster who should scrutinize the appointee and circulate a petition for a special election if Curtis Jones is not up to their satisfaction--not the association.MARY K. ANWAR

Westminster