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South Point School Board too close to call
Published Wednesday, November 4, 2009
SOUTH POINT — As first-time campaigners they teamed up to go door-to-door throughout their home school district.
And as the results for South Point Board of Education were coming in Rita Vance and Rose Christian waited and watched together.
Unofficial results have Vance the winner with her friend losing the election by a single vote to one-time educator Les York.
But with the election split by only hundreds of a percent, neither woman wanted to give a comment Tuesday night.
“We are still mesmerized by the vote so close,” Vance said.
Vance pulled in 26.37 percent of the vote or 1,057; York got 26.39 percent or 1,055 and Christian received 26.44 percent or 1,054.
Because of the narrow margin there will almost certainly be a recount.
Vance, a science teacher at South Point before she retired, campaigned on her experience and a desire to move the district “in a positive direction for the students and the schools,” she said at the time.
While not a teacher, Christian has strong ties to South Point Schools.
Her son, Mark Christian, is an assistant superintendent in the schools and her son-in-law, Tom Roberts, is on the school board. Among the issues she campaigned on were reducing the number of executive sessions the school board conducts and addressing the concerns of special needs children.
York, an educator with three decades in the district, also campaigned on his experience as a one-time teacher and principal at Sheridan, Burlington and South Point elementaries and South Point Middle School.
Attempts made to contact York by The Tribune were unsuccessful.
Whether she wins or loses, Christian said she was glad she sought public office.
“I am just going to wait (for the official results),” she said. “If it is not meant to be, it is not meant to be. I did the best I could.”
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Comments
Posted by nottellin (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 6:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Christian's son is an assistant superintendent, which is EXACTLY why I did not vote for her. She said she didn't have an agenda, but I'll bet her son did.
Posted by erok940y (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 10:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Am I read this correctly .... Christian had 26.44% of the vote and Vance only had 26.37, but Vance was the front runner, is that a typo?
Posted by Rethinker (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 10:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
So now we punish people for raising intelligent, successful children? I believe Ms. Christian's son is the one who made Burlington Elementary a School of Promise, AFTER Les York left there. Mr. York is a likeable person if you don't look at his record. He has left a mess everywhere he left in South Point...That's what he does best...LEAVE
Posted by tracorn (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 10:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I HOPE THE NEW SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS CAN THINK BEYOND SPORTS!!!! THAT IS ALL SOUTH POINT THINKS AND CARES ABOUT IS SPORTS
Posted by southernohio (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 1:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't think it's about punishing people for raising intelligent children. In Ky, if you're on a school board, then no immediate family member can work within the district. From what I understand, Mrs. Christian's son, daughter and granddaughter work in the school district and her son in law is on the school board. South Point may have avoided some long term controversy, whether intentional or not, from so many from the same family in power and control of the budget.
Posted by ohio23 (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 4:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It seems that some people are concerned about Mr. York being on the school board due to past experiences with him or things that he's done. There are 4 other people on the school board also. Does this one man have that much of an influence over these other members that he will be able to go in and just do whatever he wants. I believe the other members were voted in last time because the people of South Point thought there needed to be a change. So now there are 5 totally new members with one that supposedly has "the good ole boy" ties. Surely one person cannot just go in change things how he wants them. If so everyone else on the school board needs to take a good look at themselves and not worry about hurting someone's feelings. Whatever the board decides on issues should be thought out and not just based on what one person thinks is right. That is the reason there are 5 members and not just one.
Posted by parentof2 (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 6:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
There is always a recount when the vote is so close. But, with the computerized tabulations, it's a given that it will be the very same thing at the next count.
I couldn't be more thrilled that Les York was elected.
He is experienced in all the areas needed and he is a fair man. He has no personal agendas....and certainly no "PERSONNEL" agendas.
South Point needs a person like him serving on the school board!
Posted by MrNiceGuy (anonymous) on November 4, 2009 at 6:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
lol @ ^^^
You clearly have the wool pulled over your eyes. I believe there was an article not two weeks ago about this election where it was pointed out his previous adgendas, so don't think that he doesn't have one now as most are aware of one already. And don't be shocked if some of those absentee ballots don't get tossed out, leaving Mr. York on the outside looking in.
btw, be careful that Mr. York doesn't stop too quickly so you don't get stuck.
Posted by Boldfresh (anonymous) on November 5, 2009 at 6:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Parentof2.......... maybe you want a full time job? will mr, york help with that?
or maybe your other idol S.M.......
Posted by parentof2 (anonymous) on November 5, 2009 at 8:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Bold,
No, I don't need a full-time job. Besides, I don't have a degree in education. I have a technology degree.
When I apply for a job, my credentials, education, and work ethic speaks for itself.
You are alluding to needing personal help...sorry to bust your bubble but not everyone needs someone to do that.
Nor do I need to use my address as a selling point on that application.
Try again...
Posted by nottellin (anonymous) on November 5, 2009 at 7:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with parentof2. I've seen nothing but professionalism and respect from both the York brothers. My oldest daughter has tons of respect for both of them. I was always able to speak with Les York on the phone if I called the school. He was never too busy to speak to parents or children.
Mrs. Vance was my oldest daughter's favorite teacher. She brought science to life for my daughter.
I think we got good representatives.
Posted by southpointstudent (anonymous) on November 6, 2009 at 11:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Nottellin,
Mr. Christian is an assistant superintendent and I believe he does an excellent job at what he does, may I say much better than the superintendent. I believe he looks for the best interest of the students, and I believe Rose would do the same. I understand that sometimes getting too many family members in the same system can be a bad thing but in this case I think the only thing it could be is good. If Rose is anything like her son, daughter, and daughter in law who are in the school system, we would have a GREAT addition to our school board. As a student who keeps track of board meeting minutes and follows the decisions of South Point Schools, another Christian in the system would be wonderful. I have had Rose's daughter and daughter in law as teachers and I must say they are two of the best teachers I have ever had. With that being said, I know the vote is finished, but I do believe Rose Christian would have been a great addition to the South Point Board of Education, ultimately supported by the actions and attitudes of her family members whom I have personally dealt with in South Point School System.
And as to the York brothers, overall they are great people, but is it really good to put someone in that position who has been involved in the system for so many years? I still think Les is a great guy and will do great on the school board, but is it the best decision, I don't think so.
Posted by parentof2 (anonymous) on November 7, 2009 at 11:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
<quoting student>"And as to the York brothers, overall they are great people, but is it really good to put someone in that position who has been involved in the system for so many years? "<end quote>
I cannot help but respond to this statement.
In the business world, and schools are in the "service" business....a person that has been involved in it for so many years is the person that you DO want.
<quoting student>"With that being said, I know the vote is finished, but I do believe Rose Christian would have been a great addition to the South Point Board of Education, ultimately supported by the actions and attitudes of her family members whom I have personally dealt with in South Point School System."<end quote>
If you are saying that her family connection is what would make her a great addition you are describing NEPOTISM.
Nepotism is favoritism granted to relatives or close friends, without regard to their merit. Nepotism usually takes the form of employing relatives or appointing them to high office. (cultural definition according to dictionary.com)
Being a mother, grandmother, and mother-in-law of people already working there should NEVER be on the list of requirements or qualifications.
Since you are a student you might not familiar with that word and you might not be aware of its ramifications. I give you benefit of the doubt.
Posted by southpointstudent (anonymous) on November 7, 2009 at 11:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If you would be worried about school board members showing extra support to staff members, wouldn't someone who has been in the school system for over 30 years do the same? And as to having family in the system being a requirement, I would never say that should be a requirement for the position. All I was saying is that in this case there would be no worries whatsoever in Rose having family members in the school system. I was just making the comment that every one of her family members in the school system are great and outgoing teachers. By the way, I further researched the word Nepotism and see what you mean, but I don't think it would really be an issue in this case. Rose is ultimately concerned for the benefit of the students and that in itself is what I would consider the ultimate merit. I was not saying to disregard merit in this case but was saying that if you would have concern of family in the sytem that the only thing that they have proven to be is great and caring people. The vote is finished but I just wanted to make clear that Rose is a very nice woman and every one of her family members in the South Point School District are wonderful people who genuinely care about the students.
Posted by sandi6353 (anonymous) on November 8, 2009 at 8:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think Rita, Les, or Rose would be an asset to the South Point Board. Usually the people who complain are people who never get involved. Do you even know what a school board member does? I was on the school board several years ago and it is a position which is under appreciated. It is just ashamed that all three couldn't be on the board. No matter who comes out with the most votes, they are all winners. I wish all of them lots of luck and no matter who comes out on top in the end, like I said they are all winners. Who cares if Rose has family members employed in the system. That just goes to show that they are good people from a good family. Actually, running for any office is just a popularity contest anyway. It just depends on how many people you know and who likes you. Good Luck to All and I'm not going to say may the best man/woman win because the are all good people.
Posted by southpointstudent (anonymous) on November 8, 2009 at 10:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I completely agree with you sandi6353. Rita, Les, and Rose are all great people and any one of them would be a great addition to the school board. I'm personally would prefer Rose and Rita, but like you said they are all great people and any of them will be great school board members.
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