Columbia Board of Education member Katherine Sasser announced her resignation at Monday’s board meeting, citing legislation aimed at LGBTQ+ families and students.
Her resignation is effective Tuesday, she said.
She has a transgender daughter.
“As I have shared in previous meetings, my family is directly impacted by the legislation being considered in our state that takes aim at LGBTQ+ families and students,” Sasser said, sometimes crying. “We have made the difficult but necessary decision that Missouri is no longer a safe place for our family. We will relocate out of state by the next school year and I will be stepping down from the CPS Board of Education effective tomorrow when I officially submit my letter of resignation.”
Her announcement received a standing ovation in the board room.
Her children have thrived under the support and nurturing of teachers at Russell Boulevard Elementary School, she said.
“While this transition pains me, I am further saddened by the possibility, I am further saddened by the possibility of a future Missouri where a generation of young people are not given the opportunity to get to know and love their diverse neighbors,” Sasser said. “I’m afraid of classrooms whose bookshelves only represent one point of view, students who aren’t free to show up as their full selves and educators not being trusted to make the decisions they need in order to serve each and every student under their care.”
Columbia is a special place, she said.
“We make room for difference here; we are willing to learn from each other, challenge each other and invest in each other,” she said. “We have the resources, support and staff that can ensure that all students are seen, resourced and offered every opportunity they need to take the right next step in their education journey.”
She thanked Superintendent Brian Yearwood, his cabinet, Columbia Public Schools staff, fellow board members, educators, friends, family and the community.
Sasser was elected in April 2021 and is in her first term. She previously excused herself at the start of a meeting, saying actions in the Legislature against LGBTQ+ students didn’t allow her to adequately prepare for a meeting..
The school board will open an application process, interview interested applicants and select a replacement, CPS spokeswoman Michelle Baumstark wrote in a text message. That person would serve the remainder of Sasser’s term.
“This is a public process,” Baumstark wrote.
Most recently, this process was used in 2012 when Darin Preis was selected to fill a vacancy created when Paul Cushing resigned to accept a job out of state, Baumstark wrote.
Board President Suzette Waters, in tears, thanked Sasser for her remarks and her service.
“It has been a real joy to get to know you,” Waters said.
During public comment, resident Shannon Wilson referred to Sasser’s remarks, calling Columbia a bubble.
“Columbia is a special place,” Wilson said. “We listen to each other. We care about each other.”
After the meeting, Sasser said she didn’t know yet where she would move, just out of Missouri.
Roger McKinney is the Tribune’s Education Reporter. You can reach him at rmckinney@columbiatribune.com or 573-815-1719. He’s on Twitter at @rmckinney9.