Letter: Dickinson school conferences interfere with voting

The Stark County auditor and Election Day officials deserve considerable praise for a smooth election that guaranteed the right to vote of every eligible elector. I was especially pleased that the long line of voters at the Armory was able to vote before the polls closed.

However, the Dickinson Public School system needs to reconsider its unfortunate scheduling of parent-teacher conferences at Hagen School on Election Day. At the Biesiot Activities Center polling place, we had one teacher who arrived a few minutes too late to vote because she could not get away from her professional responsibilities. There may have been other school employees who skipped voting altogether.

Teachers who wish to vote on Election Day should not have to choose between their job responsibilities and civic responsibilities. I hope the superintendent, the School Board, and the Dickinson Education Association see to it that this never happens again.

District 37 Democratic-NPL had election observers who were present at both Dickinson polling sites throughout the day. They all had excellent reports on how well the officials handled the large number of voters, especially those who had to sign affidavits. It’s too bad that a teacher could not get to the polls in time.

So, thumbs up for the auditor and Election Day officials; thumbs down for the Dickinson Public School District.

Keith Fernsler, District 37

Democratic-NPL chairman, Dickinson

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