How come the election is non-binding?

The special election for the term is a non-binding vote; however, the board has expressed its desire to appoint the top vote recipient.

The reason the vote is being conducted in a non-binding manner is that the district – under state law – would have to conduct the election within 90 days of Hazelton’s resignation, which would be by the end of September.  Under state law, the board’s other options are to not fill the vacancy or appoint a person to the position without conducting an election.

To give district residents a say in who should fill the seat and save taxpayers the cost of two separate votes by aligning the board election with the proposition vote, the Board of Education decided to conduct the non-binding vote.

Whoever is appointed to fill the vacancy will serve until  the May elections.