More than 11 months and one byelection since former Ward 1 trustee Jeannine Tucker was disqualified, Foothills School Division is going to court to determine when and how to fill the vacant seat. Tucker was disqualified in December of 2017 for her operation of a canteen at Oilfields High School, which is in Ward 1. She no longer operates the canteen. Tucker submitted nomination papers for the Oct. 22 byelection, but disclaimed herself from the race 11 days before the election. However, her name remained on the ballot, and she defeated Jack Molyneux 60-43 in the byelection. Due to her disclamation, she cannot take the seat. “We are applying to the courts to get a decision on what our next step should be,” said division chairman Larry Albrecht in an interview after school trustees Nov. 14 meeting. “If they call for a byelection, we will call a byelection immediately. If they say because of the extenuating circumstance the other candidate [Molyneux] can be acclaimed then that is what we would do. We just want clarification.” At the Oct. 22 election, concerns were expressed by Tucker and others that a notice stating she had disclaimed herself and could not take the seat was posted at the polling stations. “It was a legal requirement,” Albrecht explained. “The returning officer has to post that information. We were following the law.” One of the reasons for having the byelection 10 months after the disqualification was Tucker legally appealed the board’s decision. Her appeal was dismissed in July. The cost of the byelection to the division was approximately $5,000. The cost in legal fees so far is approximately $60,000, said Drew Chipman, the division’s assistant superintendent-corporate services. “The costs are directly related to ensure the decision and resulting actions of the board meet the requirements and conditions of the legal system,” Chipman said. He could not speculate as to how many hours have been spent on the issue. Since Tucker’s dismissal, the other trustees have represented Ward 1 at various school and committee meetings. Those schools include the elementary schools in Longview, Turner Valley and Black Diamond, as well as the Grade 7 to 12 Oilfields High School. Okotoks trustee Sharon Nichols asked at the division’s Nov. 14 meeting if there was anything further they need to do to ensure voices in Ward 1 are heard. Albrecht said at every meeting he attends in Ward 1, he takes the same approaches as in meetings in Okotoks, where he and Nichols are trustees. “At school councils, I make sure their issues are brought forward and then I report back,” he said. “I think we have done and continue to do a good job in covering Ward 1.” Chipman added principals and administrations at schools in Ward 1 are familiar with the situation. “They are certainly making sure parents know how to bring forward concerns if they have any, either through them or through trustees at school council meetings,” Chipman said. Ward 2 trustee Bill Young said he just now considers Longview School as part of his jurisdiction. “In Calgary, an alderman might pass on or resign for a certain reason,” Young said. “They don’t have an election, other people just pick up that spot. That’s the way it will be.” High River trustee Jennifer Kristiansen recused herself from the discussion due to being Tucker’s sister. Molyneux did not wish to comment.
