August is supposed to be a slow news month, but dog days these are not.

Michael Ellis, District 3 Boardmember in the Long Beach Unified School District, resigned his position today – according to this Press-Telegram report – after missing nearly three months of meetings and following a District Weekly report that there is a warrant out for Ellis’ arrest following a probation violation.

In a phone interview with the lbpost.com this afternoon, LBUSD spokesperson Chris Eftychiou indicated that the resignation letter was found today, and that Ellis’ resignation is effective on September 1. There are board meetings on August 18 and September 1, which Ellis could possibly attend.

“At the moment, Mr. Ellis is still a boardmember,” Eftychiou said.

He also said that the District’s legal counsel is currently reviewing the City Charter to determine how to proceed with filling the seat – whether through appointment or special election. Eftychiou could not say at the moment, but noted that there is a 30-day residency requirement for anyone interested in filling the position. Ellis’ District 3 covers most of downtown Long Beach.

Article XXII, Section 2207 of the City Charter indicates:

Sec. 2207. 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.


So, it looks like we’re in for a special election, and the Board has 30 days following the official resignation (effective Sept. 1) to call it.

The announcement ends a bizarre three-month long episode as the LBUSD and news outlets attempted to reach Ellis, but failed because letters to his mailing address went unreturned and he had apparently been evicted from his apartment. The only contact Ellis made came in June, when he promised LBUSD officials that he would attend the following week’s board meeting. He didn’t.

So Ellis’ strange tenure as District 3 Boardmember ends, but who will replace him? Does it matter, as long as that person shows up to meetings? We’ll have more information as it rolls in.