Cole resigns from school board

Claron Mark Cole elected to step down from the Pittsburg USD 250 Board of Education Wednesday, announcing his intentions to the district through a letter.
Both USD 250 and the Crawford County Clerk’s office had been looking into Cole’s address, after he moved from his previous residence at 2404 S. Stilwell in May of this year. Cole hadn’t been forthcoming with his new residence — he told both entities that his address was 112 W. Fourth St., or the address of his law firm.
But The Morning Sun learned that he shifted his address with the Kansas Supreme Court, which keeps records on Kansas attorneys, to one in Trenton, Mo. Trenton is about 220 miles northeast of Pittsburg. School board members must live within the limits of the district they serve.
“We received the letter and it was made effective (Wednesday),” said Robin Dexter, interim USD 250 superintendent. “We will move forward with appointing a replacement.”
Dexter said typically, the board would publish a notice in the paper for 15 days stating that the board had an opening and asking for interested persons. After that, the process varies by the number of interested people. Sometimes, the board meets face-to-face with each candidate. All of that happens in open board session, with the public welcome.
Board members then appoint a member to take Cole’s place. According to state statute, that person will serve until next April, when USD 250 patrons will vote to decide who assumes the position on a more permanent basis. The elected board member will then take over on July 1, 2009.
Cole did not return phone calls for the story.
The move did come as a bit of a surprise — the Kansas Secretary of State’s office had told the Crawford County Clerk’s office to go ahead and register Cole at his given address, and the district was going to settle with that decision. Don Pyle, Crawford County Clerk, said his office hadn’t received an address change from Cole yet.
“If he does change it to somewhere outside of the county, we will receive notification,” Pyle said.
If Cole were to file a vote from his work address, he could be found guilty of voter fraud, a felony.
“If his stepping down was the appropriate thing for him to do, then we’re glad he did that,” Pyle said. “Now we can get that settled and the school board can move on to more important issues.”
Rich Ellis, USD 250 board president, said he respected Cole’s decision.
“I’m disappointed that we’re going to lose a very good, effective board member,” Ellis said. “I fully respect that he came forward and made the decision he did.”

Kevin Flaherty can be reached at kevin.flaherty@morningsun.net or by calling 231-2600 Ext. 134