Changes coming to Clay County school board

GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. — The makeup of the Clay County school board will change.

The Clay County Supervisor of Elections office was busy. Ballots being counted and races were being decided. The seats up for the school board were one of the most closely watched races.

We've told you about the contentious battle between the board and superintendent. As votes for candidates were being cast Tuesday, a judge ruled in favor of the school board in its latest ongoing battle. They were trying to get a referendum on the ballot to let voters decide whether the superintendent is appointed or elected.

The Clay County Board of Commissioners voted to delay putting it on the ballot this year, prompting the school board to file a lawsuit saying commissioners violated state law. "I'm hoping they'll do as a judge ordered and put it on the ballot, " said School Board Chair Carol Studdard.

Now the commission has to decide what to do. We asked the chair what the options are. "My inclination is it goes the ballot cause the judge says so," said Wendell Davis. 

But all the back and forth is costing taxpayers money, and maybe one school board member her job. Voters decided not to re-elect incumbent Tina bullock Tuesday. Incumbent Janice Kerekes will also have a run-off race in November against Kenny Leigh. For District 5, Ashley Gilhousen will have a run-off race against Sandra Dunnavant.

The school board chair says taxpayers are the ones losing out in the battles. "Whether the commission or school pays, it's still taxpayer money. It shouldn't have happened," said Studdard. 

The county commissioners will meet at 1 p.m. Thursday to decide what to do next.

WJAX