Deon Regis is second Oberlin school board member to resign this year

OBERLIN — Deon Regis, elected less than a year ago, has resigned from the Oberlin Board of Education. He is stepping down due to "unforeseen circumstances including current family health issues," according to his resignation letter. "I need to focus on my family for the present time,"" Regis said in a phone interview Tuesday. He said he wishes he could continue in his position with the Oberlin Schools, which he said has "all the potential in the world" in terms of both students and dedicated staff. Regis said he wants to see the district at its best, and he will continue to support it in any way he can, but for now he has to bow out. "We can't predict life sometimes, the things that will happen," he said. Remaining school board members will be tasked with choosing a replacement to serve in Regis' stead, at least for a little while. Applications for the job are due by Sept. 11 to district Treasurer Robert Rinehart, who said the plan is to interview candidates behind closed doors Sept. 22. Regis said he will not be part of the board's meeting that evening, and will not have a hand in choosing his successor. In the November 2019 election, Regis received 1,530 votes, though as one of only two candidates running for two open seats, he was guaranteed to win. His term is set to expire Dec. 31, 2023. Under state law, the position can be filled by the Board of Education through the end of 2021. An election must be held for voters to fill the seat for 2022 and 2023. Regis is the second Oberlin school board member to step down in 2020. The first was Albert Borroni, who was serving as president of the board in June when he moved from Oberlin to Avon. Attorney Farah Emeka, who serves as prosecutor for Oberlin, Amherst, South Amherst and surrounding townships, was chosen to assume Borroni's seat, and Jason Williams was chosen to serve as president. Contact Jason Hawk at (440) 329-7122 or news@lcnewspapers.com.