DOUGLAS COUNTY, Colo. — One of Colorado's most troubled school boards has a new board president tonight who helps the conservative majority in charge in Douglas County School District.
"I will be tendering my resignation at the end of this meeting, as a board member, effective tomorrow," said board president Mike Peterson at the beginning of the district's school board meeting Thursday night.
Peterson previously told colleagues he would resign by the end of the year— emails show he's sold his home but has a rental in his district to allow him to keep his seat until his resignation.
This week, director David Ray, an outgoing member of the board minority, asked Peterson to abstain from voting on the new board president, because he is likely to be a tiebreaker when the board votes for Peterson's replacement.
Peterson refused to recuse himself from tonight's vote and said he wanted to ensure a smooth transition of power.
The new board of education president is Christy Williams— a member of the conservative board majority. She won the board presidency thanks to Peterson's vote and was able to cast the tie-breaking vote for herself to put another conservative on the board when he resigns.
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