Sasser resigns from Columbia Board of Education

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia Board of Education member Katherine Sasser announced her resignation at the Monday night Board meeting.

Sasser had previously removed herself from participating on the Board at a February meeting, citing at the time a slew of bills being discussed in the Missouri legislature, including a number of recent anti-transgender legislative bills.

"My family is directly impacted by the legislation being considered in our state, that takes aim at LGBTQ+ family and students," Sasser said on Monday. "As a family, we have made the difficult, and necessary, decision that Missouri is no longer a safe place for us. We will relocate out-of-state by the start of the next school year.

"And I will be stepping down from the CPS Board of Education, effective tomorrow when I officially submit my letter of resignation. Don't worry you get me all night tonight. I came to Columbia, Missouri, as a wide-eyed college freshmen at the University of Missouri in 2003, and I have spent the last twenty years building my life here."

Sasser was met with a standing ovation and support from fellow board members.

Voters elected Sasser to the board in 2021. Her term was set to expire next April.

The Board does have a process to fill vacancies. The board policy lays out what happens next:

• Notification Process - The vacancy will be announced at a board meeting. The board is expected to publish a notice in local newspapers as well as on its website. The Superintendent is also expected to send out emails or other electronic communications with the community to encourage members of the community to apply.
• Review/Interview Process - The Board will then review all applications at a regularly scheduled board meeting, or at a special meeting called for that purpose. The board will then select final candidates to interview in open sessions if they chose to or to just move forward with their selection if they would like.
• Selection Process - The board will then make appointments in an open session board meeting through a formal motion. The motion needs to be seconded with an affirmative vote by the majority of the board. Sasser will not be allowed to be a part of this process.
• Swearing In - Once appointed, the person will have to sign and take the oath of office.
• Notification of Legal Responsibilities - All appointed board members will receive a notice of their obligation and file a personal financial disclosure statement and be notified of the requirements to complete state-mandated training.