SCHOOL BOARD Member resigns after 20 years

Mark Huberman said he won't appeal an ethics panel's opinion.
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
BOARDMAN -- An opinion issued this month by a state advisory board is the catalyst for the longest sitting school board member's resignation.
Atty. Mark Huberman is resigning his position on the board of education effective July 31. Board members are now looking for candidates.
Huberman has served 20 years and nearly five consecutive terms on the board of education.
Huberman was first elected to the board of education in 1983. When first elected to the board, he was working as a magistrate/referee in the county juvenile court system, leading some to wonder whether holding both positions posed a conflict.
The matter was taken before The Supreme Court of Ohio Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline for an opinion. The board ruled in 1987 that no conflict existed. Huberman said the agreement was that he would not hear cases involving juveniles from Boardman as long as he was a school board member.
Huberman, who is now chief magistrate in Mahoning County Domestic Relations Court, said the matter was again taken before the state board, this time with a different outcome.
The board's opinion, issued June 3, states that it is improper for a full-time or part-time magistrate to serve on a local, city, or state board of education or to run for election or re-election to a board of education.
Reasons
In its decision, the board points to the Ohio Constitution and state statutes that prohibit judges from holding any other office of profit or trust under authority of Ohio or of the United States. The decision said magistrates, like judges, must conform to those rules.
The board, in its decision, also points to state law prohibiting voting members of the state board of education from holding another public position of trust or profit.
Huberman said he could appeal the decision, but has no plans to do so. He said the decision was "poetically timed" to coincide with his youngest daughter's graduation. He said he is satisfied that one of his final duties will have been to hand the graduate her diploma.
"All good things must come to an end," he said. "Twenty years is a pretty good ride on the board. I have been honored to serve on the board for five terms and I am proud of the contributions I have made."
Huberman said he still intends to do everything he can to help the school system, just not in the capacity of a board member. Those still serving on the board, however, must fill the seat.
Replacement
Board members are asking that any person living in the school district and interested in serving on the board send a letter of interest and r & eacute;sum & eacute; to Board President Kimberly Poma at 7410 Market St., Youngstown, Ohio, 44512. Letters of interest will be accepted until 3 p.m. July 16.
Richard Santilli, schools treasurer, said the appointed individual would serve through 2005 with the option of running for the seat in November of that year.
jgoodwin@vindy.com