ROGERS CITY — The recall efforts against some members of the Onaway School Board of Education gears up for its next steps, as the petitioner prepares to collect signatures.

After the appeals against the recall petition by Onaway School Board President James Rieger, Vice President Erin Chaskey, and Trustee John Palmer were granted by 53rd Circuit Court Judge Aaron Gauthier on Jan. 25, Onaway resident Stacey Porter has since refiled the petitions against them.

According to the Presque Isle County Clerk Ann Marie Main, on Feb. 14 the Presque Isle County Election Community approved the language in the recall petitions for Rieger and Palmer. The clarity hearing for Chaskey was ultimately unsuccessful.

According to Porter, she hasn’t begun collecting signatures yet since she would have 60 days to get them all once she gets the first signing. She felt that she needed more time to prepare and get her schedule in order beforehand.

“I have not started collecting signatures yet,” said Porter in a message. “You only have 60 days from the first signature and don’t want to waste any of it.”

Porter’s petitions listed several accusations against the board members that she believes are grounds for recall.

Some of the accusations listed in the petitions include:

∫ Rieger allegedly violated Board Policy 2302 B(2), which states that a board member will not act in isolation, operating as if a “board of one,” by sending Thrun Law Firm notice on Sept. 1 that, as of Sept. 30, the law firm’s services would no longer be needed and reinstating Thrun Law Firm on Oct. 2 without board approval.

∫ Palmer allegedly made the comment, “If this is your preference, good for you. It doesn’t belong here. Keep it at home,” in reference to the LGBTQ+ community.

Rieger’s term on the board ends on Dec. 31, 2024. Palmer’s term ends on Dec. 31, 2026.