By SUSAN RUMBLE

Special to The Press

The Dec. 7 Parkland School Board reorganization meeting included election of officers but not installation of newly elected or re-elected board members due to a court action contesting mail-in ballots.

Solicitor Steve Miller said state law requires school boards to elect officers for the forthcoming year and to install the individuals who won positions on the board in the Nov. 2 Election.

Miller noted the reorganization meeting typically involves reading the certificates of election for each candidate.

“Then, the individuals are sworn in and take the oath of office for a four-year term,” Miller said. “Until the election board certifies, we cannot swear in the newly elected board members.”

He said the board could adjourn and reschedule the reorganization after the certifications are available or continue the meeting with election of officers followed by the normal procedures for agenda items.

“We have five people, a quorum, we can continue to do business,” Miller said.

Board members Carol Facchiano, Patrick Foose, David Kennedy, Lisa Roth and Marisa Ziegler were seated to conduct the meeting.

Rob Cohen, Jarrett Coleman, David Hein and Annette Wilcox could not participate, as their certificates of election were not issued.

Coleman expressed dissatisfaction with the decision to move ahead without the newly elected members.

“I urge you to reconsider. Swear in the people whose votes were not contested,” Coleman said. “My constituents say this is another example of their voices not being heard.”

Miller responded to Coleman.

“We have no control over this,” Miller said.

“Board members must be certified.”

The court action arose from a question of whether to count mail in ballots on which the voter neglected to fill in the date.

Miller pointed out the legal action involves contesting the ballots which have no dates.

Because the ballots could have been for anyone, not a particular race or position, the matter affects all candidates in the election.

Miller reported the Court of Common Pleas ruled the ballots could be counted, and that ruling was appealed to the Appellate Court.

“This issue must be finally resolved. Election of officers is part of reorganization. We did that,” Miller said.

In a voice vote, the five seated board members selected Lisa Roth as president and Carol Facchiano as vice president for the new year.