Toledo Board of Education member Jack Ford has been hospitalized for weeks and temporarily cannot speak, according to a statement released Thursday by his daughter.

Mr. Ford, 63, a former mayor, four-term Toledo councilman, and state representative, was first hospitalized because of kidney complications but later suffered respiratory complications, Jessica Ford wrote in an e-mail to The Blade. His prognosis is good, but Mr. Ford will remain hospitalized for some time.

Mr. Ford's hospitalization raises questions about whether he can continue serving on the school board. Ms. Ford did not respond Thursday night to follow-up questions about her father's health, including where he is hospitalized or about his intentions regarding his term on the board.

His health has caused him to miss the past two regular school board meetings, along with several special meetings since April. There had been no official statement from the Ford family -- until Thursday-- about Mr. Ford's health and his absence from the meetings.

Mr. Ford's health struggles have been public and long-running. He has Type 2 diabetes and a history of high blood pressure. He announced in 2007 on the Sunday-morning television program he and his wife host that he was undergoing kidney dialysis. He said he made his illness public because he wanted to raise awareness about Type 2 diabetes.

Last year, Mr. Ford said he lost 50 pounds, no longer needed to take insulin for his diabetes, and hoped to drop down to 250 pounds to improve his chance of making the eligibility list for a kidney transplant.

Mr. Ford was hospitalized "a few weeks ago" after he suffered complications because of his kidney disease, his daughter said. While in the hospital, Mr. Ford suffered respiratory complications caused by sleep apnea. "His treatment has left him in a position where he is temporarily unable to speak," Ms. Ford wrote.

Mr. Ford's doctors told his daughter his prognosis is "very good," she said, but that Mr. Ford will remain hospitalized "a while longer."

His wife, Cynthia, did not return phone calls.

Board members said Thursday they know little about Mr. Ford's absences, just that he is ill. Only board President Bob Vasquez has been in contact with the Ford family, and he has excused Mr. Ford's absences at the last two regular board meetings. Mr. Ford's colleagues on the board expressed concern for their fellow board member.

"My prayers are with Mr. Ford and his family," Larry Sykes said.

But while no formal discussions have been had about Mr. Ford's possible continued role on the board, individual board members said they have expressed concern about Mr. Ford's absence and the lack of information about their colleague's condition and future plans.

Mr. Ford is on two powerful board committees -- finance and human resources.

His absence means only Mr. Vasquez attends those meetings as a board member and brings information to the full board about the committees' actions.

Mr. Sykes said the district is making critical decisions in both finance and personnel and that more than one board member is needed on the committees handling those subjects.

"I've known Jack for 30 some years, and I don't want to make a stink," Mr. Sykes said, but added, "If [Mr. Ford] is going to be off for months, Mr. Vasquez needs to put someone else on those committees."

Mr. Vasquez said that he would make committee assignment changes if Mr. Ford continues to miss meetings.

There is no exact rule for how long a school-board member can miss meetings before he must resign or be replaced, according to TPS Superintendent Jerome Pecko.

It's up to a school board to decide when a member must be approached about his or her absence. Board Vice President Lisa Sobecki said she would like for Mr. Ford to be at board meetings but will wait for Mr. Ford to make a decision about his role on the board.

"I'm going to respect Mr. Ford and whatever decisions he needs to make for himself," she said. "I will respect that and his family."

If Mr. Ford continues to be unable to attend school board meetings, it will come at a time when the board must vote on major developments. The district is negotiating with its three unions, and negotiations with the district's largest union -- the teachers' union -- are likely headed to fact-finding, Mr. Pecko said. Mr. Ford's absence leaves the board with four members and a potential split vote on union contracts.

"That is cause for concern," Mr. Pecko said.

Contact Nolan Rosenkrans at: nrosenkrans@theblade.com or 419-724-6086.

First Published June 3, 2011, 5:30 a.m.