Registered voters in the district will be asked whether to recall Board of Education member Scott Hancock from his position in a special election on Tuesday, Aug. 18.

This comes after a recall committee comprising district residents Anh-Nguyet Nguyen and Julianne Wright and former district teacher Karen Wall gained over 1,390 signatures on a recall petition alleging Hancock violated federal harassment and sexual harassment laws through his conduct on the Board. Over 1,190 signatures on the petition were certified — more than the 1,000 required to put the recall to an election.

Should Board of Education member Scott Hancock be recalled from his position?

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• No
• I don't know

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For Hancock to be recalled, a majority of voters would need to vote yes on the election question, which asks, “Shall Scott Hancock be recalled from the office of De Soto School District 232 Position 4?” according to the Johnson County Election Office. The election results will be verified by the Board of County Canvassers on Monday, Aug. 24, and a majority of yes votes would cause Hancock to vacate his position on the Board on Tuesday, Aug. 25. If a majority of residents votes no, Hancock will stay on the Board until his term ends in 2017.

Hancock did not respond to specific questions, but did make a statement regarding the recall. In the statement, he defended his past criticism of former superintendent Dr. Doug Sumner’s management of various issues, like a technology purchase made without following the formal bid process in 2013. Hancock claims Sumner cost the district millions of dollars through his leadership in this and other situations. Sumner resigned last school year, along with 12 other certified administrators.

The recall petition alleges the way Hancock interacted with administrators qualified as harassment, but Hancock defended his interactions.

“If my questions in Board meetings regarding these issues was a part of [Sumner’s]  decision to seek other employment opportunities, that should speak for itself,” Hancock said via email.

After last year’s resignations, Nguyen said recalling Hancock would help the district progress.

“Our district needs to heal,” Nguyen said. “I think this is a critical step in the healing process … This is a critical step in us moving forward.”

To campaign for yes votes in the election, the recall committee placed signs throughout the district donated by former Board member Don Clark, who did not serve on the Board with Hancock. Nguyen said convincing residents to vote in the election is integral to the recall effort being successful.

“It’s a majority vote, but you still need voters to get out there,” Nguyen said. “[Hancock] has supporters inasmuch as we have supporters. We need the people who are interested in having him recalled to go out and vote.”

There will be 14 polling places open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. throughout the district for the election, and registered voters in the district should have been notified of their respective polling places by postcards from the Election Office. Residents can also vote in advance at the Election Office until Monday, Aug. 17, at noon.

District resident Jody Feuerborn said she plans to vote to recall Hancock because of issues he has caused at past Board meetings.

“I don’t think he’s good for the school district, and we need to do what’s right for our children,” Feuerborn said. “I think you need to look at the past Board notes and see how much controversy he has caused and what it has cost the district.”

According to Hancock, the money Sumner allegedly lost the district is the only fact that can be confirmed, and the rest of the information reported on throughout the recall effort is incorrect.

“Your negligence or choice in not reporting these facts and engaging in tabloid gossip journalism does not change these facts (which are the only verifiable facts) and is a disappointment but seems to be the norm in today’s journalism arena,” Hancock said. “All the other garbage you have chose to report concerning [the recall effort] has been, is, and always will be false, untrue, unverifiable, and smoke and mirrors designed to disguise the truth that you have chose to ignore, not investigate, or report.”

Regardless of whether residents support the recall effort, Nguyen encouraged them to participate in the election.

“Their voice is their vote,” Nguyen said. “I would just encourage voters to go out and let their voice be heard. I think it’s really important. It’s such a privilege a citizen has that is not exercised often enough.”

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