School Board Member Resigns

Citing a schedule conflict, Cypress school board member Rick Gaede has resigned.

District Supt. William Eller said Gaede’s departure leaves a vacancy on the five-person panel that may be filled either by special election or by appointment by the other four members. Eller said he will present those options to the board Thursday.

Gaede, a hotel industry executive, was appointed to fill a vacancy on the school board in 1995. He was elected in November to a full four-year term. In an interview, Gaede said he subsequently decided to resign because of his job schedule.

Eller said he will research the approximate cost of a special school board election and he will give that information to the board. If members decide not to hold an election, they would then seek applicants for the vacancy, interview them and appoint someone, Eller said.

State law gives the school board 60 days from the date of a resignation to appoint someone, Eller said. After 60 days, state law requires a special election.