ROCKLAND, Maine — Rockland will have to fill a soon-to-be vacant seat on the regional school board following the resignation of one of its newer members.
Jesse Butler of Rockland announced this week that he would be resigning effective Aug. 31. He was the top vote getter with 787 ballots cast for him when elected in November to a three-year term.
Butler, a software engineer, said he and his wife have bought a home in South Thomaston and will be moving there. Butler said he and his wife had been looking for a larger home but were unable to find one in Rockland and the opportunity came to buy this property.
Butler said he will remain involved in the schools. South Thomaston is part of Regional School Unit 13 with Rockland, Thomaston, Owls Head and Cushing.
Butler said he has submitted the resignation now, even though they have not moved yet, to allow city officials to accept nomination papers for the seat in time for the Nov. 8 election. RSU 13 will have to formally notify the city, which then will declare the vacancy and offer papers that must be turned in to the city clerk by Sept. 26 to make the ballot.
The Rockland representative said he is pleased with the progress being made in the district.
The seats held by RSU 13 board Chair Steve Roberts of Rockland and member Donald Robishaw of Rockland also are up for election this fall. Roberts said two weeks ago that he would seek re-election. Robishaw, however, said he will not. Robishaw, a Republican, is running for the Maine House District 93 seat that represents Rockland and Owls Head now held by Rep. Anne “Pinny” Beebe-Center, D-Rockland, who is seeking re-election.