New lawsuit aims to oust Christina school board member living in Pakistan
Board member Doug Manley filed a lawsuit April 23 angling to force the removal of fellow board member Naveed Baqir. The lawsuit urges the Delaware Court of Chancery to declare his colleague – who has been living in Pakistan for over a year – no longer a district resident eligible for board service.
'In promoting false representations to his constituents, Baqir has breached his duties to the CSD, as a result of which Baqir obtained improper personal benefits including influence over the board during meetings and voting sessions to which he is not lawfully entitled,' Manley's lawsuit reads.
Baqir, a co-founder of the private Tarbiyah School near Newark with his wife and once executive director of the Delaware Council on Global and Muslim Affairs, was elected to the board in 2021. His term expires in June 2026. Manley seeks more immediate action.
He claims votes from that District F seat have been cast virtually since January 2024, while Baqir has been out of the district, out of the state and out of the country. Most recently, the board selected a new superintendent in Deirdra Joyner on April 18, after months of turmoil following the ouster of its former district head in July 2024.
Christina Board Member Douglas Manley, Nominating District C, takes notes during the Christina school board regular meeting at the Glasgow High School Auditorium in Newark, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024.
Baqir has often been a deciding vote of a four-person bloc on board decisions, including the 4-3 ouster of former superintendent Dan Shelton. He's still suing for more than $2.7 million. Manley has repeatedly protested these votes, along similar concerns that line this April lawsuit.
Also in summer 2024, Board President Donald Patton publicly confirmed Baqir had been out of the country due to "severe health issues" affecting elderly family, but that regular attendance had been kept remotely from Pakistan. Baqir is now also enrolled in medical school at Pakistan-based Dow University of Health Sciences, according to the lawsuit and supported by previous comments from Baqir.
"This is ridiculous. It just gets the public riled-up," Patton said Friday morning. The board's lawyer has been clear, he said, that the body does not have authority to adjudicate disputes on an elected board member's residency. The president called the lawsuit a distraction, while Baqir has kept up with board duties.
Baqir has argued Delaware remains his permanent address. The board member did not respond to request for comment on this lawsuit by time of publication.
Looking back: Ousted superintendent sues Christina school board for millions over 'destroyed' reputation
So far, just how to define "resident" in this context, as well as the authority to do anything about it, seems caught up in debate.
A bill in Dover aims to clear it up.
Sponsored by Rep. Madinah Wilson-Anton, one bill in the state House would set residency requirements for school board members, mandating that any member is an 'inhabitant' of a designated area or school district for at least 75% of the days in any one year of their term. Absence due to military service is not counted.
Patton noted another board member would have fallen under that ratio for virtual meeting attendance in the last year, but he did not specify whom.
Naveed Baqir was elected to the Christina school board in 2021.
It would also allow residents to bring an action to the Superior Court if there is reason to believe a member is no longer residing in the district. The court could then declare a vacancy.
That draft legislation now heads to the full floor for consideration. It joins about four other bills hoping to tighten up Delaware school board governance. This April lawsuit seeks an immediate injunction to block Baqir from board service, a directive to the district to legally fill the seat and award all attorney fees.
In Delaware, when a school board seat becomes vacant the district must notify the Department of Elections so a new member can can be appointed or a special election can be held. Christina School District has not declared any vacancy.
Got a tip or story idea? Contact Kelly Powers at kepowers@gannett.com or (231) 622-2191.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Lawsuit aims to oust Christina school board member living in Pakistan
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