PUEBLO COUNTY, Colo. (KOAA) — Pueblo County School District 70's newest board member was sworn into office Wednesday, according to the district's social media.
A video posted to the district's YouTube channel shows the Board President, Ann Bennett, administering the oath of office to Susie Carnes, whom Bennet personally appointed to the seat Anne Ochs resigned from in December amid calls over a conflict of interest.
News5 has reached out to the District for comment on the recent swearing in, the district referred News5 to Bennett for comment, who did not respond.
Carnes appointment came after a meeting on Feb. 10, where board members could not agree on a replacement for Ochs. Bennett and A.J. Wilson both voted to appoint Carnes to the seat, Mark Emery and Michelle Erickson voted no.
During a Feb. 10 meeting, Wilson had a medical emergency, and Bennett then left the meeting during a 10-minute recess she called. The meeting was never officially adjourned.
The Feb. 10 meeting was right up against the deadline for the board to appoint a replacement by Feb. 14. With Bennet leaving the meeting, there was no longer a quorum and state law says if the board does not appoint a replacement within the 60-day timeframe, the board president has the ability to select the appointment.
Carnes was expected to be sworn in during a Feb. 24 meeting, Bennett announced at the meeting that Carnes was unable to attend due to a stomach bug. The meeting was abruptly ended after board members could not agree on an agenda. Erickson and Emery voted to amend the agenda and then voted against Bennett's motion to move forward with the agenda as amended.
Erickson wanted to read a statement, Bennett said "the statement is not part of the agenda so we're not doing that right now."
The full Feb. 24th meeting is below: