GREAT BEND -The Barton County Attorney’s Office has rejected a recall petition that sought the removal of all seven USD 428 School Board members.

County Attorney Doug Matthews had five days to issue a ruling whether the petition met all legal requirements.

Great Bend Attorney Brock McPherson submitted the petition on Thursday.

The petition was submitted by local attorney Brock McPherson on Thursday with Michelle O’Neil, Mike Gowans and Diana Dawson listed as the recall committee, a group that is required by state statute.

O’Neil is a parent of a student allegedly assaulted on a Great Bend school activity bus.

Matthews ruled that the petition didn’t meet the requirements, because the allegations didn’t provide sufficient information.

Matthews says the petition wasn’t legally sufficient, and it did not meet requirements of recall statuses.

The petition said school board members did not fulfill their legal obligation to report suspected abuse, after two high school students say they were assaulted on school buses while traveling back to school from two swim meets.

In addition to not reporting the assault, district officials refused to answer questions or provide a safe environment for children, according to the petition.
The county attorney says the petition could be re-filed, and he will review