New York State has ordered a new election for the Hempstead Union Free School District's board of education within 60 days, overturning the results of a previous vote. The decision follows an internal probe accusing the district clerk of discarding ballots to aid in the reelection of a local DJ and former school board president.
State Education Commissioner Betty Rosa issued the order on Thursday, hours after a petition surfaced alleging that District Clerk April Keys tore up ballots and removed them from her office to help Victor Prett, a local DJ known as DJ Vic-Lover, secure another term. The Hempstead district's attorneys had formally requested an annulment of the May 19 election in a petition submitted on June 15.
The district has stated its appreciation for the commissioner's swift review, which allows the district to proceed with a new vote. The state has appointed Neil Boyd, superintendent for the Putnam-Northern Westchester BOCES, as a temporary clerk to oversee the upcoming election. A specific date for the new election has not yet been set.
The Nassau County District Attorney's office has confirmed it is investigating the matter after receiving the school district's findings.