Hamburg School Board President David Yoviene was re-elected president Tuesday after being challenged by Board Member Thomas Flynn.
But as recent events on the board have shown, things often don’t come easily in Hamburg.
A 3-3 vote for the two was set up when Board Member Catherine Schrauth Forcucci said she would abstain from voting because of official misconduct charges the board filed against her last year. She said she did not want to be seen as trying to “curry favor” by voting for a certain candidate. The misconduct hearing resumes today.
That set up the tie between Yoviene, entering his second year on the board, and Flynn, who is starting his second three-year term on the board.
Flynn had the support of Members Patti Brunner-Collins and Cameron Hall, while Members Sally Stephenson and Laura Heeter voted for Yoviene.
District Clerk Barbara Sporyz said Robert’s Rules of Order require voting until a president is elected, but also would allow the former president to continue if the tie could not be broken.
“I think we need to decide it tonight,” Brunner-Collins said, and she asked if either candidate would reconsider.
“In the interest of the board, I will withdraw,” Flynn said.
“Thanks Tom,” Brunner-Collins said. “Thanks for taking the high road.”
Hall, who has attended most sessions of the misconduct hearing, attended his first board meeting as a board member Tuesday. He and Flynn were elected as members of the School Board in May.
email: bobrien@buffnews.com
But as recent events on the board have shown, things often don’t come easily in Hamburg.
A 3-3 vote for the two was set up when Board Member Catherine Schrauth Forcucci said she would abstain from voting because of official misconduct charges the board filed against her last year. She said she did not want to be seen as trying to “curry favor” by voting for a certain candidate. The misconduct hearing resumes today.
That set up the tie between Yoviene, entering his second year on the board, and Flynn, who is starting his second three-year term on the board.
Flynn had the support of Members Patti Brunner-Collins and Cameron Hall, while Members Sally Stephenson and Laura Heeter voted for Yoviene.
District Clerk Barbara Sporyz said Robert’s Rules of Order require voting until a president is elected, but also would allow the former president to continue if the tie could not be broken.
“I think we need to decide it tonight,” Brunner-Collins said, and she asked if either candidate would reconsider.
“In the interest of the board, I will withdraw,” Flynn said.
“Thanks Tom,” Brunner-Collins said. “Thanks for taking the high road.”
Hall, who has attended most sessions of the misconduct hearing, attended his first board meeting as a board member Tuesday. He and Flynn were elected as members of the School Board in May.
email: bobrien@buffnews.com