Dawn, no one is trying to bash you- and if you got that impression, sorry. We are all honestly trying to answer your questions with the info you provided. You did say she " has been gradually paying us" for example...
Sometimes it's REALLY hard to give the right answers from an objective perspective when we ONLY have the small amount of info that is provided by the poster. we have NO clue about any of the players, or the history.. only the few words that are provided.
Based ONLY on what you said, there is no reason why this person should not be allowed to run.. that was the question you were asking.. But I think, in seeing what else you wrote about her and her kids running around and the fire thing, it's clear that you think this woman is not a viable candidate for the job.. and that's OK!!! We ALL have those kinds of people in our schools...
so now, the question may be.. " how do we tactfully encourage this person to take on another role?"
There's a lot of value in not settling for "2nd best" as a President. It's OK to tell people they aren't the best match for the JOB.. and it's just that.. It's a full time job - and to be good and effective, you have to have certain skills.. and you know that.. otherwise you wouldn't be here looking for help..
So let's refocus and help you figure out how to find a BETTER candidate!
How about personally approaching some GOOD candidates and ask them to run? Personal invites are the best way to get people..