Longtime Atlanta Board of Education member Jason Esteves announced Thursday he will resign his position following his election to the Georgia state Senate.
Esteves, a Democrat, received about 57% of the vote Tuesday to win the District 6 seat, which straddles Fulton and Cobb counties. He defeated Republican Fred Glass.
Esteves intends to resign his school board position effective Dec. 31, setting up an appointment process to fill the at-large spot he has held for nine years.
By law, Esteves can’t hold the two elected offices at the same time.
“It’s been an honor to serve the citizens of Atlanta as a member and previous chair of the Atlanta Board of Education,” he said in his resignation letter, which he posted on Twitter Thursday. “I am proud of the work and progress this board has made during my tenure. We moved this district forward despite significant challenges — a cheating scandal, a global pandemic and leadership transitions.”
School board Chair Eshé Collins said the board aims to appoint someone to fill the opening by January.
The person selected will serve out the remainder of Esteves’ term, which expires at the end of 2023. That appointed member will be able to run in next November’s election to try to retain the seat.
“Jason has been an amazing colleague and over time became a really great friend,” she said, adding that she looks forward to “the work that he’ll do as one of our next state senators.”
Esteves served as chair of the school board for four years. During that time, the school board decided not to renew former Superintendent Meria Carstarphen’s contract and hired Superintendent Lisa Herring in 2020.
Those interested in applying for the open seat must attend one of two orientation sessions (Nov. 16 or Nov. 28).
Candidates must be at least 18 years old and a resident of the Atlanta school board educational district 5 or 6. They cannot be employed by the Georgia Department of Education, Atlanta Public Schools or another local school board and cannot serve on the governing body of a private K-12 school.
Candidates must submit information, including a resume and a statement of interest, by 5 p.m. Nov. 30.
More information about the application requirements can be found on the board’s website.
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