Bachtell loses in reversal of school board election

Special to the World

NEW YORK - The New York City Board of Elections certified a recount that reversed the results of the community school board election in District 11 in the Bronx.

In the recount, John Bachtell was defeated by Loretta Jones, a 16 year member of the school board with ties to the Republican Party. Jones had won a recount from the Board of Elections after winning a stay in court.

Bachtell condemned the action of the Commissioners but vowed to continue to build a movement to save public education.

In certifying the election, the Board of Elections rejected a protest filed by Bachtell with a request for another recount by an impartial panel. Bachtell cited unanswered questions about the recount that included the possibility of impropriety and political bias influencing the outcome.

One community leader said, "this is about keeping on the Board those who maintain patronage in the district."

In his remarks before a meeting of the Commissioners, Bachtell acknowledged an error in the first count, but maintained that didn't fully explain the changed outcome.

The school board elections use the proportional representation voting method. A sample inspection of ballots, confirmed that election officials, after making adjustments for a new quota, had not recounted the ballot transfers from winning candidates in the same order and effected a new outcome.

The result was that Ms. Jones received several new transfers she didn't have in the original count and Bachtell lost several. While other candidates totals changed by only a couple of votes, Bachtell went from a one vote victory to a 12 vote defeat.

"With such a random approach to ballot transfers, each recount will yield a different result. And depending on the integrity or political bias of those involved, the results could be manipulated," said Bachtell.

Community activists and supporters of the campaign also condemned the outcome. "Allowing the results of the recount to stand will give ammunition to those who seek to abolish proportional representation and the community school boards," said Rich Giovanoni, campaign treasurer.

Said Bachtell, "I strongly believe in proportional representation as a voting method. It is by far the most democratic and representative. But the action of the Commissioners leaves a tainted cloud over this election.

"In the future, without modifications, including utilizing the most advanced technology (paper ballots and pencils were used in the vote), the door will be open for suspicion of manipulation."

Ironically the reversal of the election coincided with an announcement of the SUNY Board of Trustees of 8 new charter schools, including four run by for-profit corporations.

Bachtell promised, with his slate partner and trade union activist Leighton Hollar, to continue the struggle, including working in coalition with members of the new school board who oppose privatization.

"Our campaign produced a labor-community coalition to save public education. The coalition is already taking steps to continue to fight all forms of privatization, including charter schools and vouchers; and to win massive new funding to build new schools, hire more teachers, reduce classes and for affirmative action in hiring and promotion."