Orange County School Board declines to appoint District 4 interim member; seat remains vacant

The Orange County School Board voted down a motion to appoint an interim representative for District 4 on a recorded voice vote, leaving the seat vacant ahead of the November election.

The vacancy drew public comment urging the board to act. Tracy Laughlin, a resident, urged the board to appoint one of the applicants and said the board would “open up current and future opportunities for Orange County students” by doing so. Ken Wawbel, a resident, urged the board not to let politics dictate the choice and said choosing to do nothing would be “a failure to carry one’s responsibility.”

Board members debated whether an appointment would improperly influence the November contest. Miss Dawson argued for appointment, saying, “it is my contention that tonight we should make an appointment,” and called filling the seat “the ethically correct choice.” Others said the proximity of the election and the risk of politicizing the board argued for leaving the decision to voters. Miss Harrington said she wants District 4 constituents to “pick their own representative.”

Board members proceeded to a vote after a motion “that we fill the district 4 vacancy.” On the recorded voice vote, members verbally registered one aye and three nays; the motion failed.

Because the board did not appoint a replacement, state law allows the circuit court to make an appointment if the board does not act, a path several members referenced during the discussion.

With the seat unfilled, District 4 will not have a board representative for the remainder of the current interim term unless the board revisits the issue or the court acts. Several speakers at the meeting encouraged the board to reconsider or to be transparent with the candidates about next steps.