Washington: Mount Baker School Board member facing recall petitions

Mount Baker School Board member Russ Pfeiffer-Hoyt is facing a recall petition, over a proposed land transfer.

Washington requires a showing of malfeasance. The petitioners claim that the board's accepted a $500,000 donation (for a foundation for the students) from the Whatcom Land Trust on condition that the board did not oppose the transfer of 8,844 acres in the Lake Whatcom watershed from the Department of Natural Resources to Whatcom County.

The recall organizer wanted to take out all five board members, but focused on Pfeiffer-Hoyt because he was allegedly on the advisory board of the Whatcom Land Trust in 2003-04, and is currently a member of the trust.

Petitioners would need 1,133 signatures (35% of turnout). The election would have to take place in February and is estimated to cost $20K.