Bob Douthitt resigns from Spokane Public Schools board

Spokane Public Schools board director Bob Douthitt announced his resignation Thursday.

“I just felt I didn’t have the energy to devote to the job that I think the job requires,” he said.

In a news release he said family issues will require “long absences” which he felt would distract him from his board work.

“I feel it is best to step aside so the position can be filled by someone who can dedicate their full attention and bring a fresh perspective to issues facing our educational community,” he said in a news release.

Additionally, a number of the upcoming issues the district will be facing will be longer term, issues Douthitt believes need steady consistent leadership. He points to upcoming discussions about school boundaries and grade configurations.

“For the purpose of these issues it would be better to have someone working on it for the outset,” he said.

Douthitt’s current term would have ended in November 2019. His resignation is effective Feb. 23.

According to the release the board of directors will announce the requirements and application process to fill the seat.

Douthitt has been on the board since 2007. The last time a board member resigned was in 2008 when Jeff Bierman took Christie Querna’s board seat.