No-show member opens vacancy on Gadsden board

A member of the governing board of Gadsden Elementary School District has been removed for failure to attend board meetings, and the Yuma County schools superintendent is seeking his replacement.

The district declared a vacancy on the board Monday after Alfonso Concha failed to attend meetings or participate in board activities over the previous 10 months, according to County Schools Superintendent Tom Tyree.

Concha, one of five elected board members, failed to discharge his duties under a state law that says any school board member who does not participate in board activities for at least three months will lose his or her position, Tyree noted.

In a letter drafted and signed by school board president Luis Marquez, Tyree was notified of Concha's recurring absence from school board activities, he said.

Concha could not be reached at his San Luis, Ariz., home for comment.

Candidates for the position are now being solicited, and Tyree will pick Concha's replacement from the field of applicants.

Anyone who is interested in serving on the school board must submit a letter to Tyree explaining why they wish to serve and describing their qualifications.

They also must be able to verify they live within the school district and have been there for at least the prior year, Tyree said. Candidates must also be registered Arizona voters, he added, and no one whose spouse is employed by the school district may be considered.

Depending upon the number of candidates, the application process could be completed by Dec. 28, a selection made by Jan. 4, and the new board member sworn in at the Jan. 8 meeting, Tyree explained.

He added that he would like to have candidates who care about education and children, who are team players and who are open-minded about issues. The board will continue to operate as a four-member body until the vacancy is filled, he said.

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William Roller can be reached at

wroller@yumasun.com or 539-6858.