BLOOM TWP. | The race for Sandridge Elementary District 172 School Board is down to seven candidates.

Donald Witvoet withdrew his candidacy from the election run on Tuesday, according to School Board Attorney John Izzo.

Ironically, Witvoet's decision came after the district's electoral board ruled in his favor.

The board met to hear incumbent board Secretary Aurazela Majors' objection to Witvoet's candidacy and to hear Witvoet's response.

Majors claimed Witvoet does not reside within the district. He has disputed that claim.

Conflicting evidence was presented by both sides during the electoral board proceedings.

According to Izzo, Witvoet submitted his driver's license, a utility bill and voter registration card that showed his address as being within district boundaries.

However, Majors provided information from whitepages.com that listed Witvoet at a Torrence Avenue address outside the district, he said.

The electoral board, by a vote of 2 to 1, decided Witvoet's name should remain on the April 17 election ballot, Izzo said. Board chairman and School Board President Cheryl Ward cast the only dissenting vote.

Board members Steve Brewster and Bettina Grivetti voted to keep Witvoet's name on the ballot.

Before the board adjourned, Witvoet withdrew his candidacy, Izzo said.

Repeated attempts to reach Witvoet were unsuccessful.

His departure from the board race leaves Majors and fellow incumbents Angela Smith and June McCain in the running with Kevin Pisano, John Hojnicki Jr., Doranita Malcom-Tyler and Joseph Romero for four, four-year board seats.