it looks like Wake County school board member Debra Goldman's resignation plans didn't go as planned, setting up a potential legal issue for the district.
Goldman said her plan was to announce her resignation at Tuesday's meeting, where she would discuss the new job she's taking with a non-profit in the Wilkes County area. She wanted to wait until then so she could vote on the filling the District 1 board vacancy.
"I am preparing to move,” Goldman said. “The voters in my district deserve to have me weigh in on the replacement for Chris Malone. I still live in Cary.”
The problem is that with her now being dropped from the Wake County Board of Elections rolls it doesn't look like she can legally serve Tuesday.
Now the school board, with the advice of counsel, will have to decide if they should let her vote Tuesday or declare the seat vacated.
Goldman said she only planned to register her car at the state DMV Office in Wilkes County on Jan. 24, not change her voter registration. But election officials say they have documentation showing that Goldman authorized the voter registration change.
Goldman's form went to the state Board of Elections, which saw it matched her Wake County record, resulting in that one being removed from the rolls.
in her "resignation letter," Goldman write that "I will need to speak with our legal representation to determine how to 'officially' resign, and when I will need to make it effective."
Here's the resignation letter:
From: Debra Goldman/Superintendent/WCPSS
To: BoardMembers@STAFF, SupLT@STAFF, "Jonathan Blumberg"
Date: 02/01/2013 01:34 PM
Subject: New position/Resignation
Dear Fellow Board Members and Leadership Team,
It is a very exciting time in my life right now. I have accepted a position with a nonprofit and am thrilled about it. Sadly, I will be transitioning out of the Wake County area, and will need to tender my resignation from the Board of Education. It is with a heavy heart that I do this, as I have enjoyed representing my constituents. I will share the details of my new venture with you very soon! I will need to speak with our legal representation to determine how to "officially" resign, and when I will need to make it effective.
Thank you all so much for your continued support and encouragement!
DG
Debra Goldman
WCPSS Board of Education
UPDATE
The legal controversy is over. Goldman sent this followup email announcing her resignation goes into effect immediately.
Date: 02/01/2013 03:23 PM
Subject: follow up Re: New position/Resignation
Hello again... My excitement continues to mount regarding my new position. As I'm very eager to move forward, I have spoken with Jonathan Blumberg. I believe that to make this as streamlined as possible, for all involved, my resignation is effective right away. I would like to be able to represent my district, but feel that with my need to transition and go back and forth between Wake and Wilkes, it is best for all that I resign at this time.
Debra Goldman
WCPSS Board of Education
Comments
Has Jonathan Blumberg
Sun, 02/03/2013 - 11:26 — josmith3Has Jonathan Blumberg replaced Ann Majestic as board attorney?
Ann
Sun, 02/03/2013 - 12:06 — HereWeGoAnn is on medical leave, cancer
That was the fastest legal controversy ever!
Fri, 02/01/2013 - 20:24 — FSandYOUIf it ever really was a controversy.
Considering she was talking
Fri, 02/01/2013 - 20:32 — KeungHui (author)Considering she was talking about trying to change her voter registration back to Wake County to try to vote Tuesday, it was a controversy.
She was just trying to compete with Hillary
Fri, 02/01/2013 - 22:04 — FSandYOUGoing out with one last moment in the spotlight was always the plan.