Challenge Dismissed, D228 Board President Will Remain on Ballot

Bremen High School District 228 Board of Education President Deb Stearns will remain on the April 9 ballot, following the dismissal of a challenge to her candidacy.

At a Jan. 23 special meeting of the D228 Education Officers Electoral Board, members dismissed resident Steve Szabo's challenge due to a, "failure to state the interest of the objector," one of five motions Stearns's lawyer made to dismiss the challenge at a meeting earlier in January.

“The courts have said there doesn't have to be much of one, but you've got to have one,” said Mike Davies, president pro-temp of the board. “When I review Mr. Szabo's objection, I don't see anything that resembles, or comes close to resembling that issue.”

Szabo was not present at the Jan. 23 meeting, despite notifications. Due to his absence, the four other dismissal motions made by Stearns's defense were moot, Davies said.

Stearns will appear on the April 9 ballot, along with five other candidates. Six candidates are running for seats on the board of education. Stearns said the outcome was what she expected and was happy to remain on the ballot.

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