Recall organizers turned in petitions Monday afternoon, targeting West Ada School District trustees Russell Joki, Julie Madsen, Carol Sayles and board chair Tina Dean.

The recall elections could occur on May 17.

Monday was the deadline for recall organizers to turn in petitions to Ada County elections officials. The fact that the recall campaign met this deadline is not surprising; last week, recall organizer and former district superintendent Christine Donnell told Idaho Education News that the recalls were a go.

Now, county elections officials have 15 business days to certify the petitions. If the recall clears this hurdle, trustees would have five days to decide whether to resign or stand for election.

On Monday, Madsen told Bill Roberts of the Idaho Statesman that she would resign — rather than put her family through a recall and face a ballot challenge that she says would be fueled by special interest money.

Donnell has denied her group is funded by special interest dollars, and characterizes the recall as a volunteer effort.