It was business as usual Tuesday night as the Fairfield County School Board held their regular meeting under the gavel of chairwoman Annie McDaniel, in spite of McDaniel having her voter registration revoked by the election commission two weeks ago.

McDaniel has since appealed the decision, paying her $150 filing fee just hours before the Tuesday meeting.

The appeal, which will be heard in Fairfield County Circuit Court by Judge Brooks P. Goldsmith, is scheduled to be heard May 14.

The issue of McDaniel chairing the meeting and voting on district business was addressed during the public comments portion of the meeting by Kadena Woodard, who asked McDaniel to step aside while her appeal process plays out.

“I’m here today on behalf of all seven of the school districts to ask our board chair if she would recuse herself from any decisions that might be made by this board until your appeal has be heard,” Woodard said. “This is not a good example for the Fairfield County students, to teach them to lie, cheat and steal.”

Woodard was one of two people who petitioned the election commission in April, challenging the validity of McDaniel’s voter registration.

Board member Polly Parker attempted to raise the matter twice during regular session, but went unrecognized by the board chair – McDaniel.

“The board should really ask her to resign,” said Parker. “If she’s here and votes on something, we could stand some legal ramifications later on.”

Apart from Parker’s attempts, no other board member brought the issue to the floor.

Ernest Yarborough, the main petitioner in McDaniel’s voter registration case, said the school board has the authority and the power to remove McDaniel now and he has petitioned the school district directly to do so.

“They’ve been talking and talking. Now it’s time to do something,” Yarborough said. “Where’s the leadership? They’ve got to bring this matter to a hearing.”

Yarborough said the board’s own policy is very clear on the matter.

Indeed, board policy BBBA states, in part, “Constitutional and statutory provisions require that all officers of the state and its subdivisions be qualified electors; that is, registered to vote, in their resident precinct.”

Board policy BBBC, additionally, states, in part, “If a board member’s residence ceases to be in his/her voting district, the member will resign immediately.”

McDaniel said she has no intention of stepping down or stepping aside.

“I think you understand the judicial process and a person’s right to due process,” McDaniel said.