Judge Removes School Board President From Ballot Over Financial Disclosure Omissions

On Monday, a judge in Montgomery County directed the removal of the president of the Lower Merion school board from the primary ballot following a challenge initiated by a local resident who accused her of not responding to queries about financial disclosures.

In her nomination petition — required to be filed by candidates for elected office — Kerry Sautner did not respond to several mandatory questions, including whether she had received any gifts valued at more than $250, had any office, directorship, or employment in any business, or had financial interests in any legal entity in business for profit.

Although she was provided with the opportunity to submit an amended petition, it continued to contain mistakes, stated Christian Petrucci, the attorney representing the community member who initiated the challenge.

For example, Sautner serves as both the president and CEO of Eastern State Penitentiary, an institution that operates under a lease agreement with Philadelphia city officials. However, according to Petrucci, some details were omitted regarding her involvement in real estate within politically subdivided areas governed by the state Commonwealth.

The purpose of the disclosure questions is "to make sure there's no conflict of interest or any financial benefit for the voter," Petrucci stated. He mentioned that the judge provided Sautner with ample opportunities to review the disclosure document thoroughly and complete it accurately.

Sautner, who received support for his reelection bid from the local Democratic Party, mentioned that attorneys for the party were examining the directive issued by Montgomery County Common Pleas Court Judge Carolyn Tornetta Carluccio and determining their "next move."

"I am completely open about this, and I am proceeding with integrity regarding the court proceedings," Sautner stated.

In a motion for reconsideration submitted on Tuesday, attorney Robert Paul—who serves as the vice-chair of the Democratic Committee of Lower Merion and Narberth—argued that the Philadelphia lease was "inconsequential," since nobody asserts that Ms. Sautner holds ownership over Eastern State, which is clearly not the case.

He additionally mentioned that Sautner, who revealed her own personal debts, was not obligated to disclose those of her spouse.

This year, four out of the nine Lower Merion board positions are being contested in the elections. All currently serving board members won their previous elections as Democratic candidates.

Petrucci, who serves as the secretary for the Republican Committee of Lower Merion and Narberth, mentioned that it was merely "a coincidence" that he identifies as a Republican.

The objection to Sautner’s nomination papers was submitted by Harshal Dear, a registered Democrat and also a parent within the district. She mentioned her interest in potentially running for the school board but learned from elections officers that due to being employed federally, she wasn't eligible to hold a partisanship role—despite wanting to appear under both Democratic and Republican listings.

Dear mentioned that she believed school boards throughout Pennsylvania have grown "too politicized." She stated they are attempting to promote a political platform. When asked about the agenda of the Lower Merion school board, Dear didn’t voice particular concerns but expressed that she thought the board lacked sufficient "local focus."

Any voter has the option to contest a nominating petition, with such objections being reviewed by county judges prior to the finalization of ballots. The upcoming primary election is scheduled for May 20th.

Hello, whoever also contested three additional Democratic board nominees – which includes current member Anna Shurak – mentioned that the "present nationwide political electoral atmosphere… has permeated into local governance." They expressed not aiming at specific contenders but disagreed with how endorsements were made within the Democratic Party. The individual argued that voters should avoid automatically casting their ballots according to party affiliations.

Locals claim a Lower Merion school board member prevented their "Jewish students deserve safety" sign from being displayed.

Although Dear pulled back two of her requests, she filed a comparable protest against Shurak’s, pointing out insufficient financial information.

They have already served on the board before. They aren't newcomers who wouldn't understand how to complete the forms," stated Dear, emphasizing her role as an advocate with a nationwide group dedicated to transforming family courts. "Given this, why would we support your candidacy when you're trying to conceal crucial details that voters ought to be aware of?

Shurak was granted additional time to modify her petition; however, the judge hasn't made a decision on that motion yet, as mentioned by Petrucci, who stated he is providing legal representation to Dear without charge.

When contacted via telephone on Monday, Paul, who is also advocating for Shurak, chose not to comment. He remained unresponsive to follow-up inquiries regarding the revised filings.

Jeff Scott, who leads the Democratic committee, stated that "remaining on the board does not alter the intricacy of the petition process, which frequently includes subtle details."

The Democratic committee supported four contenders, namely Sautner and Shurak, along with three others who appear on the Democratic ballot alongside five additional Democratic nominees. It’s worth noting that out of these extra five, four are also listed under the Republican label, whereas none of the individuals backed by the Democrats hold such dual listings.

We're still evaluating," Scott responded when asked if the party would support an additional candidate. "It's too early to reach any conclusions at this time.