The Dallas County School Board attorney has confirmed Dallas County Board member Carolyn Bates’ legitimacy.

Bates was sworn in November 2013, but Frank Chestnut Sr., who ran as a write-in candidate against Bates, filed an election contest against her stating the address she listed in her statement to declare her candidacy was outside of the district she ran for office, which was district 3. It was ruled in circuit court October 2013 that Bates is, in fact, a properly elected board member.

“It feel excellent, because now I can fulfill the potential that I wanted to fulfill when I sought the position of board member and that is to interact with all children and I can see for myself how I can help to improve education,” Bates said.

Dallas County School Board attorney John Pilcher confirmed Bates’ title and authority as a Dallas County Board member.

“The court decided that she was properly elected, so how can I argue about that?” Pilcher asked.