Ball Chatham CUSD 5 board accepts resignation of board member Steve after residency move

The Ball Chatham CUSD 5 Board of Education accepted the resignation of a board member identified in the meeting as Steve, effective at the time of the meeting, after he told the board he had moved out of the township from which he was elected.

Steve told the board he submitted a resignation letter to the secretary, president and superintendent before the meeting and said his decision was driven solely by a change of residence. "This decision comes not from any other reason that I've moved out of Woodside Township from which I was elected. This month, I moved into Ball Township. Therefore, due to election rules, it makes it no longer legal for me to continue serving," he said.

The resignation was placed on the amended agenda and approved after a motion and second. Board members cast affirmative votes during the roll call that followed, and the board president asked for comments after the motion passed.

Several board members and district leaders spoke in gratitude for the resigning member's service. One board member said, "Steve always showed us the leadership the district needed," and praised his efforts on school safety and through the COVID period. Superintendent Lehman thanked him for his commitment and called him "a pillar of decision making and a great resource." The remarks reflected multiple speakers' appreciation for the member's six years of service.

The board did not discuss a replacement process during the meeting. No formal directive or appointment was made at the meeting about filling the vacancy.