Judge Michael Yeager dismissed a petition to remove Mars Area School Board member Christine Valenta from the May primary election ballot Wednesday afternoon after finding the petition contained a “material defect.”

The petition was filed by Vicki Esswein — who is also running for a school board seat — March 16. Valenta was formally served Tuesday afternoon.

The petition didn't identify Valenta, but asked for a candidate to be removed on the grounds that the person violated the state's ethics code.

Specifically, Esswein called into question Valenta's filing of her statement of financial interests (SFI).

For school board candidates, SFIs must be filed with both the district and county bureau of elections.

“Our client has complied with all laws,” said Gary Vanasdale, who represented Valenta Wednesday morning at Butler County court.

The petition was stricken after Vanasdale challenged the fact Valenta wasn't identified in the original filing. Yeager dismissed the petition.

Although Esswein's petition suggested Valenta's SFI wasn't filed with the district, district representatives verified Wednesday that it was.

Representatives of the bureau of elections also verified the SFI was filed at the county level.

“Justice was obtained so that (Valenta) will continue to be on the ballot and to serve the Mars Area School District,” Vanasdale said.

The school board case was one of several that came before Yeager as civil disputes earlier this week.

Candidates for South Butler and Moniteau school districts were also challenged.

Valenta is the only candidate who was challenged and has been allowed to move forward in a district race.

Seven candidates have filed to run for four seats on the Mars Area School Board.