BEAUMONT - The Beaumont school board has voted to rescind the seven single-member district map trustees approved in February and move ahead with plans for the May 11 election.
During a special meeting Friday afternoon the board voted to use a map the Justice Department pre-cleared in 2001.
Board members Tom Neild and Mike Neil are concerned the board is breaking the law by using that map because they argue the most recent census numbers require redistricting.
BISD's attorney says at this point the 2001 map is the only one approved by the Justice Department.
BISD attorney Melody Chappell told the board it can't use map trustees approved in February because it was adopted only about 80 days before the election instead of the required 90 days.
The district says three board members are facing election in May. A Beaumont attorney is threatening to sue BISD because he says the law requires all seven seats to be put to a vote.
Attorneys for Marcelino Rodriguez, Donna Jean Forgas and Linda Marie Wiltz Gilmore say under the law, all seven board seats should be up for election May 11, not only the three seats the district says are up for a vote. Those seats are held by Gwen Ambres, Tom Neild and Janice Brassard.
The lawyers also argue BISD's plan to rescind a redistricting map approved in February and use a 2001 map violates the law. They're asking a court to order BISD to place all seven seats up for election.
A separate motion filed by Paul Jones, a BISD patron, seeks to delay the May 11 election until November. According to the motion, the election can't be held because the Justice Department hasn't pre-cleared a BISD redistricting map.
In a news release, Melody Chappell, the attorney for BISD who asked the court to deny the request filed by attorneys for the three board candidate, said "the action means BISD will continue to move forward with plans for a May 11 election. In responding to the Petition for a Writ of Mandamus filed by the three local residents concerning their proposed candidacy for the May 11 school board election, Chappell explained to the court that "the relators misled the court by failing to cite Texas Election Code Section 276.006 and BISD Board Policy BBB (local).…they cited 17 different sections from the Election Code in their petition. Surely, they saw Section 276.006 which was only three sections from the sections they cited." This section defines requirements when changing electoral boundaries. Also, Board Policy BBB (local) provides for the staggering of terms for trustee elections through at least 2019, Chappell added."
BISD moving ahead with plans for May election
Related Stories
- More Texas News
- National News
- International News
- Firefighter dies in Dallas condo complex blaze
- House member kills senator's bills in tit-for-tat
- Drought, freeze, hail pummel Central Texas peaches
- Texas DPS adds patrols for Memorial Day weekend
- 4 men killed in Karnes County traffic accident
- Study: Poverty in Austin suburbs rises sharply
- Classroom curriculum system dies amid criticism
- Court upholds Texas man's conviction in gun case
- Texas deputy killed in wreck, suspect detained
- Jailed suspect in Texas double slaying kills self
- United 787 takes to the skies
- Senators require fingerprinting at 30 airports
- Fla. Powerball winner hasn't come forward
- Ark. treasurer accused of taking cash from broker
- Report says poor are moving to nation's suburbs
- NYC: No racial motivation in stop-frisk tactic
- Senators work through changes to immigration bill
- Much longer commutes to New York for some Connecticut residents
- Kerry vows better security at US diplomatic posts
- Court won't get involved in Miss. redistricting
- Wave of attacks kills at least 86 in Iraq
- German FM criticizes remarks by Hungarian PM
- Russia claims to have foiled possible terror act
- 10 Azerbaijanis to prison after headscarf rally
- Czech president in dispute over gay rights
- Talks to resume with Mali government, Tuaregs
- Greek beach evacuated after artillery discovery
- 19 Indian state officials face corruption charges
- Vandals target Israeli women's prayer group
- Russia targets pollster for 'political activity'
Automotive
Find valuable information about buying your next car, including price quotes and your latest automotive news.
Wedding Central
The greatest Southeast Texas story ever told. Share your wedding and engagement news!
Lost and Found Pets
These are pets that have been lost or found in the KFDM News Channel 6 viewing area.
No Text Zone
Texting While Driving Kills Thousands of People Each Year. Many More are Seriously Injured. You Can Help Make Our Roads a NO TEXT ZONE
Texas Lottery
Texas Lottery
Community Calendar
Check out our Community Calendar!
Baby Talk
Baby Talk with Nicole Murray.
KFDM Channel 6 Top Stories
Business News
United 787 takes to the skies
HOUSTON (AP) -- United Airlines has one of its 787 aircraft back in the air.
Consumer News
BC-US--Dow Record-Three Personal Stories, 1st Ld-Writethru,1173
Dow Record: Three tales of ups, downs and changes
AP Photo FX102, FX103
Eds: With BC-US--Dow Record. Adds photos.
By SCOTT MAYEROWITZ
AP Business Writer
NEW YORK (AP) -- When the Dow first crossed 14,000, investors were overjoyed. ...
Entertainment News
TRACY MORGAN -- HOST BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS
LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Tracy Morgan says he has found his birth dad -- and he's Wayne Newton.
Get This
BRAS A FIRE HAZARD?
MILWAUKEE (AP) -- We haven't heard this much about the threat of bra burning since the days of the women's liberation movement.
Science/Tech News
IN THE NEWS: FINANCIAL TIMES SITS HACKED
LONDON (AP) -- Another attack on a media site -- and again, one that is being claimed by the Syrian Electronic Army.

