State Journal: Minutiae; Paddle problem

The Kentucky Court of Appeals is getting tired of interpreting the anti-nepotism provisions of the state's 1990 school-reform law. Take their latest case:

Billy Ray Newby was first elected to the Caldwell County school board in 1973. Fourteen years later, the board hired Lisa Morrow as a substitute teacher. Later in 1987, she was employed full time. By the end of the year, she had married Mr. Newby's son. In the years since, Mr. Newby has continued to win election to the board while his daughter-in-law has continued teaching. But in 1992, the state moved to oust Mr. Newby.

The 1990 reform law makes anyone with a relative working for the local school district ineligible as a board candidate. Mr. Newby, however, felt he should be grandfathered in because of his long service and because Ms. Newby was not his relative...