(Jan. 25, 2012) -- Long Beach Unified School District Board of Education member Dr. David Barton has announced his resignation from the school board, citing health reasons.

In a release, LBUSD says Dr. Barton (Ph.D. in English from Stanford) notified LBUSD Superintendent Chris Steinhauser and L.A. County Superintendent of Schools Arturo Delgado of his resignation "for reasons of health" effective immediately. The notification was dated Jan. 22 and received today (Jan. 25) at LBUSD's Board of Education office.

Dr. Barton was one of two members of a slate -- backed by now-former Teachers Ass'n of LB leadership -- elected in 2006 (outpolling an incumbent, photo above right on 2006 election night) to represent LBUSD District 5 (primarily ELB). The area includes Millikan and Lakewood high schools along with surrounding elementary and middle schools.

During his tenure, Dr. Barton kept a campaign promise to televise School Board meetings [an action that had been stubbornly resisted by former LBUSD Superintendent Carl Cohn]. He succeeded in getting a Board majority for the action, and the now televised Board sessions, along with web access to agendized materials including backups, have been embraced and fully utilized by current LBUSD management.

Dr. Barton ran unopposed for a second four-year term in 2010 and most recently was serving as the board's vice president.

LBUSD says that because Dr. Barton's term doesn't expire until 2014, the Board of Education "must begin taking steps to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term. The school board will discuss the matter at its next regular meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 7."

Although not cited in the release, LB City Charter Sec. 2207 states in pertinent part:

VACANCIES.

Vacancies in the Board of Education shall be filled for the remaining portion of the term of the vacant office at a special election to be called for that purpose. Said election shall be called within thirty (30) days after the occurrence of such vacancy. Said election shall be held within one hundred twenty (120) days after the occurrence of such vacancy, unless the same shall occur within one hundred twenty (120) days of a regular school election set forth in this Charter, in which event such vacancy shall be filled by the remaining members of the Board of Education. Should three or more vacancies exist at any one time, a special election shall be called as soon as possible by the County Superintendent of Schools.

No person appointed as a successor to serve during the remainder of a term in the Board of Education in which a vacancy occurs shall be designated as an incumbent, a member of the Board of Education, a school board member, or other designation indicating incumbency, for the purposes of the next regular school election for members of the Board of Education.

Reaction to Dr. Barton's announcement came quickly:

"David has played an integral role here," Superintendent Chris Steinhauser said. "His calm, thoughtful leadership has contributed much to our success. We thank him for his service, and we wish him all the best."

Board of Education President Dr. Felton Williams said in a release, "David has served with distinction on the school board...Together we have navigated extremely difficult times that have included unprecedented cuts in state funding, yet we have maintained our focus on improving student achievement. David's leadership in this regard will be missed."

Ironically, another TALB-backed School Board member elected in 2006 also resigned but under different circumstances. Michael Ellis was elected in 2006 when then-incumbent School Board member Suja Lowenthal -- who had announced her intention to seek another School Board term -- abandoned that race in favor of seeking the 2nd dist. City Council seat abruptly vacated by Councilman Dan Baker. The result left no opponent to TALB-backed Michael Ellis, who was elected. As the next School Board election cycle approached (in which TALB fielded candidates), a series of revelations surfaced about previous DUI incidents involving Ellis; the LB Area Chamber of Commerce announced a recall, which it abandoned when TALB-backed candidates failed to gain a Board majority. Boardmember Ellis pledged to continue to serve but was absent for a number of board meetings and subsequently announced his resignation. He was succeeded by now incumbent Board member John McGinnis.

Further as we learn it.