A man seeking a seat on the Knoch school board will not be on the primary election ballot following a hearing in Butler County Common Pleas Court on Wednesday.

Incumbent Knoch school board member Donna Eakin challenged a nomination petition filed by James Houghton after she discovered he did not turn in a required form to the district.

“The right to know request said the district didn’t receive statements of financial interest from Mr. Houghton,” Eakin said. “I’m asking the court to remove Mr. Houghton from the ballot given the evidence.”

The county Election Bureau’s website defines a statement of financial interest as a form that must be filed with a potential candidate’s nomination petition. Through it filers provide information on their sources of income.

Houghton took the stand and testified to the mistake.

“It seems I did forget to turn in the form at the proper time,” he said. “I’m not objecting to the removal. It seems like they’re correct.”

Common Pleas Judge Kelly Streib said she had no choice but to remove Houghton from the ballot given the circumstances.

“I would agree with you, your honor,” Houghton said.

Other school board candidates include Corey V. Check, Tim Danehy, William Gebhart, Justin Kovach, David McRandal, Debra Miller and Jesse Scheller.

The Election Bureau said a challenge also was filed by Phil Heasley against William Halle for placement on the ballot for Butler Area School District. Officials said Heasley challenged Halle due to statements of financial interest not being submitted to the school district on time.

A hearing regarding the challenge will take place Thursday, March 16.

The casting of lots to determine the order in which the candidates’ names appearing on the ballot occurred Wednesday. March 22, the deadline for candidates who filed petitions to withdraw from the primary.

The primary election will be May 16, and the general election will be Nov. 7.