Under Ohio law, the Hamilton school board’s remaining four members will now appoint a new member from among applicants they interview.
Alf, who was on the ballot earlier this month with fellow school board candidate Shaquila Mathews for two open seats, was the top vote getter, earning with 4,785. Mathews won 3,765 votes.
The school board members did not respond to messages Thursday seeking their comments on what qualifications they will be seeking in any appointment candidate.
But a posting on the Hamilton Schools website stated the board will "be posting the board vacancy on Monday, Nov. 25 and will be accepting applications of potential candidates until Thursday, Dec. 5 at 4 p.m."
“The Board of Education must nominate and appoint an individual within 30 days,” said school officials.
“Candidates that are considered most qualified may be contacted for an interview. All interviews will take place on Thursday, Dec. 12 in executive session. Upon the conclusion of the executive session, the board of education will convene into regular (Open Session) Session on Thursday, Dec.12 and nominate a candidate.
A vote by the Hamilton Board of Education will take place and the individual selected will be appointed to the school board starting in January 2020 until December of 2021.”
“Finally, in November of 2021, the appointed seat will be up for election and winner of that election will be granted a 2-year term starting in January of 2022 until December of 2023,” said school officials.
The school board oversees the 10,000-student school system, which is one of the largest in Butler County and southwest Ohio.
Under Ohio law, board members they must be at least 18 years old and residents of the school district they want to serve.
According to the Ohio School Board Association, “state law allows for the interviews of board candidates to be held in private executive sessions by the school board. Three of the four remaining members must approve the appointment.
“Individuals wishing to run for this two-year position do so separately from the candidates for the normal four-year board vacancies up for election that year. An individual then is elected to serve for only the two remaining years of the original board member’s term,” said OSBA.
The Hamilton school board meets at the district’s central office at 533 Dayton Street.
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