MSBA has no enforcement powers

To the editor:

The Missouri School Boards Association must take exception to the June 24 editorial on the residency issue surrounding a member of the Scott County Central Board of Education. Far from having "little concern" about the issue, MSBA provides school districts throughout the state with considerable information about board member residency requirements.

However, MSBA is not a state agency and has no authority to investigate specific cases or to enforce state statutes. MSBA can only educate candidates and school board members regarding state statutes and residency requirements. Further, school districts and school boards do not have statutory authority to remove a candidate from the ballot or to remove a sitting school board member. Only a court can order removal. In this case, any action to remove a sitting board member must either be brought by the attorney general's office or the prosecuting attorney, or be approved by these entities.

Thank you for the opportunity to clarify our position.

BRENT GHAN, Chief Communications Officer, Missouri School Boards Association, Columbia, Mo.