Portland School Committee officials face election recall...

The effort is underway to recall three School Committee members who voted to support King Middle School's decision to allow it's health clinic to give access to birth control pills and patches to sexually active students. King Middle School's clinic is a state health clinic and only students who had approval from parents can use it. But if a sexually active student needs access to birth control, parents do not have to be notified. Approximately 17 pregnancies were reported at King Middle School, over the last four years.

These details were outlined to King Middle School parents last over a month ago in a letter sent by the principal, Michael McCarthy.

The Portland Republican City Committee has collected 500 signatures to recall the only School Committee members they could legally recall: Sarah Thompson, Rebecca Minnick, and Robert O'Brien. All were elected last year, in 2006.

For the recall to take place, the Republican City Committee must collect 3,000 signatures per candidate from December 3rd to January 4th. If they succeed in getting the signatures, a special recall election will be held in the spring that could cost taxpayers between $15,000-25,000.

While there's some doubt as to whether or not the recall effort will likely get the signatures needed in the short timespan of a month, organizations supportive of the School Committee's decision are still preparing what they can for January's results. The best way you can support the School Committee is to write to them in support of their decision. And if it comes time for the recall to take place, help the three committee members campaign to save their seats.

More information on the School Committee is found here.