Loudoun Judges Recuse Themselves from School Board Removal Cases
All five Loudoun County Circuit Court judges have recused themselves from the cases seeking to remove School Board members Brenda Sheridan (Sterling) and Atoosa Reaser (Algonkian), signing a recusal order on Feb. 14.
Judge Jeanette A. Irby previously recused herself from the cases on Feb. 1. She is now joined by judges Douglas L. Fleming Jr., Stephen E. Sicavage, James P. Fisher, and James E. Plowman.
The Supreme Court of Virginia will designate a judge to hear the cases.
The group Fight for Schools, which collected signatures on removal petitions, is attempting to intervene in the cases. The group was granted the motion to intervene in a similar case to remove Leesburg District representative Beth Barts in October. That case became moot when she resigned.
“We respect the decision of the judges and look forward to the appointment of a new judge so that we can proceed with these cases,” said Fight for Schools Executive Director Ian Prior.
The NAACP also filed a motion to intervene in the cases.
The NAACP will be represented by attorneys Phillip Thompson and Charlie King. King represented Barts in her removal case.
“This is a wise decision. The recusal order will be sent to the Supreme Court who will appoint a judge to hear both cases. This could take a few days or a few weeks,” King said. “Ms. Sheridan and Ms. Reaser have a right to a speedy trial. Whoever is appointed, I hope the cases are set for trial quickly. It’s unfair to the elected officials to have these cases linger.”
The representatives are facing a removal effort for their involvement in a private Facebook group, Anti-Racist Parents of Loudoun County, where members allegedly doxed people opposed to the school division’s racial equity work.
If the judges are conflicted or even appear to be it is best that they recuse. The two board members could save themselves the trouble and just resign. Their performance has been abysmal and they all need to go and take Zeigler with them.
Cool. Now have the CA recuse herself, as she actively participated in the same creepy FB group.
The recall effort is horrendous. Organizers should be ashamed of themselves. There’s absolutely no good reason to subject Brenda Sheridan & Atoosa Reaser to such harassment. The only good thing to come of it is the effort under way to reform Virginia’s recall statute. In its current form, the statute is far too vulnerable to abuse. Please hang in there, Brenda & Atoosa. Thousands support you. Happy Black History Month Loudoun!
Perhaps you need to read the complaint on the petition… it is specifically that they violated the Open Meetings law by being members of a private Facebook group that did not keep and publish minutes, allow the general public to attend, etc.
Atoosa Reaser is an attorney. She absolutely should know better. You could not boot her from the school board fast enough.
And what is the NAACP’s standing in this effort? What is their reasoning. This has no racist component.
The “evil” Facebook group was simply an anti-racism group. Closed because, well, see the whack jobs posting about it. There is a story today on Reuters that includes a photo of a letter to one of our school board members threatening murder. A handwritten letter.
The NAACP recognizes an organized racist action when it sees one. Since the sheriffs department seems to be part of the problem, court is the correct course of action.
All the good communists are coming out to decry the efforts at freedom. These criminals need to go. It is that simple.
I’m not a communist. In fact, I’m a Marine veteran. You?
None involved in the recall effort have anything of which to be ashamed. Following established procedures and law to address grievances with elected office holders is a right granted to all. Happy Washington’s birthday.
Go see the photo on Reuters published today.
https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-education-threats/
I was paddled by a LCPS Principal in Elementary School and later by a Vice-Principal in Middle School in the eighties. What they did to us on a regular basis back then would horrify Loudoun’s snowflake parents of today.
It’s probably best this is settled by the Virginia Supreme Court. Although I have no idea what the NAACP has to do with this at all unless it’s just for cheap publicity.
Huh?
The NAACP has NO standing in this case. NONE.