County Board Narrowly Rejects One School Administrator Referendum Question, Appoints Behl Treasurer

The Effingham County Board Monday narrowly voted against placing an advisory referendum on the November ballot calling for one school administrator for all Effingham County schools.

The vote stood at 4-4 and Board Chairman Jim Niemann broke the tie, voting No. Niemann said, "I'd rather prep this with the school boards." Those who also voted No are Karen Luchtefeld, Rob Arnold, Jeff Simpson and Joe Thoele. Those who voted Yes are Dave Campbell who promoted the measure, John Perry, Doug McCain and Lloyd Foster.

Campbell said he sees the idea as a cost savings for the taxpayer. He said more than once he had nothing against any of the current school administrators, and said most are doing a good job.

In voting No, Simpson said, "If the school boards want this, it's up to them to do this." McCain, in voting Yes, said, "Let the people decide."

The Board also voted 5-3 to appoint Mary Behl as County Treasurer through the November election. Behl will become treasurer when Steve Dasenbrock's resignation becomes official later this month. 

Past practice has been when a vacancy occurs, the county board appoints the person recommended by the political party of the departing official. Behl has long voted Democrat, except for this year's primary, when she voted Republican to support co-worker Paula Miller in the treasurer primary.

There were supporters both at last week's committee meeting on the topic and at Monday's board meeting, including county Democrat officials, in favor of Democrat treasurer candidate Bill Passalacqua, who is running for the office in November. Behl is not seeking election in November. The two Democrats on the Board, Karen Luchtefeld and Doug McCain, voted against appointing Behl, as did Republican John Perry, who said he didn't feel it wise to buck tradition. Perry said, "I wouldn't appoint (Passalacqua), but that's their right to do it."