Richland 1 will be holding a special election to fill a seat vacated by a school board member who moved outside the district.
On Oct. 26, Richland 1 voters will replace Yolanda Anderson, who submitted her letter of resignation to the school board Aug. 2 and was not present at Tuesday’s meeting. Richland County Director of Voter Registration and Elections Alexandria Stephens confirmed the election date.
Board member Angela Clyburn read Anderson’s resignation letter during a Tuesday school board meeting. Anderson said in her letter it was an “honor and privilege” to serve on the school board.
“Due to personal family obligations, this move was a necessity,” Anderson said in the letter. “Many blessings to you and the rest of the team.”
During the Tuesday school board meeting, the board approved a motion to allow Board Chair Aaron Bishop to “negotiate” with local elections officials regarding the special election.
Board member Beatrice King abstained from voting after questioning why elected officials would have a say in the election of one of their future colleagues. The board voted 5-0 to approve allowing Bishop to negotiate with elections officials.
The matter was listed as an “election contractual matter” in the board’s agenda.