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Take New Vote On ‘Calling In’

During at least two of their meetings in March, the Ohio County Board of Education will function without input from member Christine Carder. There is no reason that has to happen.

Carder, a veteran of decades in the public school system and years on the board, will be out of town in March. On Monday, board members voted on a proposal that she be permitted to participate in two board meetings that month by telephoning in to the board office.

By a 2-2 vote, the suggestion was rejected. Board members Shane Mallett and Tim Birch voted against it, with members Zach Abraham and Carder voting in favor. Board member Sarah Koegler, at home with a sick child, did not participate.

Had Carder been granted permission to participate by phone, she would not have been paid her regular amount for attending a meeting. She would not have been allowed to vote.

Yet Mallett and Birch still rejected the idea.

This is nothing new. The issue of “calling in” to meetings came up last year, too. Then, it was in reference to Carder and to Koegler, who at the time was frequently out of town because of her job.

“Calling in” was turned down then, too.

The issue ought to be brought up for a vote again, during a meeting at which all five board members are in attendance and able to vote.

Whether one agrees with Carder on specific matters brought before the board or not, her experience and viewpoints are valuable. Assuming her involvement can be had without disrupting the flow of meetings, there is no good reason to shut her out.

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