Petition Drive Begins Regarding Big Oak Flat/Groveland Unified School Board

Groveland, Ca — Effective earlier today, the proponents of the recall effort for the five members of the Big Oak Flat Groveland Unified School Board could begin collecting signatures.

The Tuolumne County Clerk and Auditors Office has sent a letter saying that the format of the recall petitions has been approved for circulation. The current number of registered voters in the District is 3,641, and signatures must be collected of 910 (25%) in order for a special election to held. The deadline to submit the petition with the requisite number of signatures is December 30th.

The recall effort started following a student protest regarding the Board´s decision to not renew the contract of Tioga High math teacher Ryan Dutton and placing him on leave.

The School Board members at the center of the controversy are Mary Kelly, Charles Day, Bryan Berger, Dave Gookin and Lillian Cravens.

Written by BJ Hansen