Hempstead school district requests state review for school board election results
The Hempstead School District is asking the New York State Commissioner of Education to review its recent school board election.
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The Hempstead School District is asking the New York State commissioner of education to review its recent school board election as questions continue surrounding absentee ballots and an ongoing investigation involving district officials.
“The district is asking the commissioner of education to review the election consistent with other legal matters,” Hempstead Board of Education President Jeffrey Spencer said in a statement. “The district will not comment further.”
The move places certification of the district’s election results in the hands of the state education commissioner.
As News 12 previously reported, Hempstead Board of Education Vice President Victor Pratt said some board members accused District Clerk April Keys of mishandling absentee ballots. Keys has been placed on leave.
“This is nothing further from the truth,” Pratt said during a recent board meeting while defending Keys. “Allowing this information to spread unchecked damages the reputation of our schools and divides our community.”
District Clerk Pro Tem Lottie Whitehead was also placed on leave as the investigation continues.
The uncertainty surrounding the election has left parents frustrated and demanding answers.
“That’s what we need to know. How long is the investigation going to take?” said Jermaine Roberts. “If they are falsely accused, they need to be reinstated.”
During the meeting, the board appointed Alexander Hernandez as interim district clerk and Patricia Wilson Wright as district clerk pro tem.
News 12 also reached out to the New York State Education Department for comment but had not received a response as of publication.
