Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board Member Keith Coleman announced he is resigning from the board, effective immediately. His resignation comes after he announced last week that he would be withdrawing from the race to retain his seat on the board.
Coleman was appointed to the board in January 2021 to fill the space left vacant by former Board Member Oscar de la Torre’s election to city council. Coleman cited personal reasons for his departure from the board, including caring for his elderly father whom he said recently moved in with him, as well as online allegations and threats he said he has received in recent weeks that made him fear for the safety of his family if he continues to serve.
“I feel honored to have had this opportunity, and remain passionately concerned about the issues in our school community,” he wrote in his resignation letter to SMMUSD Superintendent Ben Drati. "I hope to continue fighting for improvement in our schools but shall do so in other ways.”
grace@smdp.com
