By Cortney Casey
C & G Staff Writer

FRASER — Fraser Public Schools’ Board of Education is accepting applications for a vacant position after a newly elected member’s employment prevented her from taking office.

Maria Short, the highest vote-getter in the May 6 election, has decided to relinquish the seat she was set to accept July 1.

Short, an academic learning aid at Disney Elementary, said she wasn’t aware that she was ineligible for the school board due to her employment with the district until after the election’s withdrawal deadline.

Because her position is grant-funded, she said, she thought she would be safe to pursue the board seat. She later learned she still failed to qualify because the grant funds are appropriated through the district’s budget.

Short said she attempted to have her name removed from the ballot after the deadline, but was told it was not possible. She abandoned campaign efforts in response, but still nabbed 2,001 votes in the election.

She said she was conflicted about what to do because she thought she might lose her position at Disney due to cuts, but wouldn’t find out until the budget for the 2008-2009 fiscal year — which began July 1 — was approved.

When that didn’t happen, Short had to decide between keeping her job and accepting the board seat.

“I had to choose between working with the kids and taking the board position, and my true passion is working with the kids on a day-to-day basis,” she said. “I guess it just wasn’t meant to be at this time.”

If circumstances change in the future, she added, “I would love the opportunity to serve the community.”

President Deborah Prentiss said the board tried — to no avail — to find a way that Short could take office while retaining her job.

“I know they exhausted every effort that they could to see if there was any possible way that I would be able to serve out the term,” said Short. “There was really no way around it. It’s unfortunate, but I understand there’s rules and they have to be followed.”

Prentiss — who called Short pro-education, open-minded and focused on kids — said she was disappointed Short could not serve on the board.

“She would have been awesome,” she said.

Anyone interested in the position should send a letter and résumé to Gerard Gauthier, Secretary, Fraser Board of Education, 33466 Garfield, Fraser, MI 48026. The application deadline is 4 p.m. July 15.

To be eligible, applicants must be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old, and residents of Michigan for at least 30 days. They also must have been residents of the Fraser Public Schools district for at least 30 days prior to the appointment.

Prentiss said the board plans to interview candidates and appoint a replacement on July 21. Though Short’s term would have run through June 30, 2012, the appointed member’s term will expire June 30, 2009, she said.

You can reach Staff Writer Cortney Casey at ccasey@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1046.