Petitions stall efforts to recall school board members

 Chris Pence of Impact Pickens picking up recall signature sheets at the elections office. 

        Two petitions filed in Pickens courts last week have halted efforts of Impact Pickens, the group that formed to recall school board members Steve Smith and Aaron Holland.  

Impact Pickens leaders allege Smith and Holland, as well as board chair Sue Finely, exercised gross fiscal irresponsibly and malfeasance with their vote to terminate the contract of former Pickens Superintendent Dr. Rick Townsend “without cause,” and buy out that contract for over $400,000. Among other allegations, they argue these board members violated the Georgia Open Meetings Act when they held a meeting where it appears they took action on  Townsend’s termination on January 15. 

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