SCARBOROUGH — Petitions to recall three School Board members were certified Friday, April 6, by the town clerk’s office.

School Board members Donna Beeley, Cari Lyford and Jodi Shea are targeted for recall by a group calling itself Road to Renewal. The group submitted its petitions  March 26.

Paul Johnson, one of the petitioners, said the drive is a strategic move to seat a board that will ultimately remove Superintendent of Schools Julie Kukenberger. Johnson said those involved in the Road to Renewal movement believe Kukenberger and the board have demonstrated poor leadership and an unwillingness to listen to the community.

Beeley, in an email response to the certification, said “This is a sad day for our town and I fear that it will discourage anyone to seek elected office.”

Petitioners said they had gathered more than 3,000 signatures per petition. Town Clerk Tody Justice said the number of valid signatures required for each board member was 2,622.

The Town Council is expected to hold public hearings on the recalls April 25, which is within the mandated 30 days from the certification date. The council meets Wednesday, April 11, and the agenda will include acceptance of the certified petitions and scheduling of the public hearings.

A special recall election would follow within 30 days, likely in May, and could coast as much as $5,000, according to Justice.

Juliette Laaka can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 106 or at jlaaka@theforecaster.net.

Scarborough School Board members Donna Beeley, left, Cari Lyford and Jodi Shea may be headed to recall elections in May.

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