Fred Bonacci's name will appear next to seven other candidates this November for Stow-Munroe Falls School Board. 

Bonacci's appeal to be a candidate in the Nov. 8 election was unanimously accepted by the Summit County Board of Elections today. The board originally rejected his petitions because the day and year of the general election was missing from the forms.

There were no other problems with the petitions, according to the board of elections.

"It was an honest mistake," Bonacci said. "I admit I missed the date."

During a special meeting this morning (Aug. 26), the board heard Bonacci's appeal. Following a 35 minute executive session, it unanimously approved putting Bonacci on the ballot.

"I'm excited and I totally respect the process —I thought it was fair and was pleased to be given an opportunity to speak," said Bonacci after hearing the decision.

During the meeting Bonacci asked the board to "give the voters in Stow the opportunity to vote. The district is facing a difficult financial situation and I feel I have a lot to offer."

The board agreed that it felt comfortable with the fact that Bonacci personally circulated the petitions and those who signed the petition knew Bonacci was running this November, although the date was excluded on the petitions.  

"We need people to be on the ballot ... we need people to be excited to be on the ballot," said Elections Board President Tim Gorbach. "We all know school board is an unforgiving position, you don't get a lot of people thanking you and it's a position we need people to be excited about to be in."