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Family letter and public comment highlight choice and spur debate over voting method
Summary
Public comment included a written family letter recommending Miss Juan Hooper for appointment and residents urged the board to pick a candidate who will advocate for students; several speakers questioned whether the board had followed the same procedure in past vacancies, prompting the attorney to explain that today’s process complied with state statute.
During the public-comment period, a family representative read a letter from the family of the late Otha Anders recommending "Miss Juan Hooper" to fill the unexpired District 10 term and asking the board to honor Anders' legacy.
Other community speakers urged the board to select someone who will speak up for students and described the importance of local investment in education. One commenter asked why earlier vacancies had been handled differently; the board's counsel replied he could not speak to past practice but that the procedure used at this meeting "is completely in line with, all legal requirements." That exchange led to extended discussion about using paper ballots (which become public records when attached to minutes) versus an oral roll-call vote; the board elected to proceed with roll-call voting with ballots available as needed.
