Scott Taveau, the executive director of an association representing the interests of 22 local school districts, has resigned.</p><p>The Cooperating School Districts of Greater Kansas City interim board of directors unanimously accepted Taveau&#8217;s resignation at a special meeting on Wednesday.</p><p>Taveau, the former superintendent of Liberty School District, has been under increased scrutiny from the school district&#8217;s auditors and from the Public School and Education Employee Retirement System in Jefferson City.</p><p>Larry Ewing, superintendent of Ft. Osage School District and president of the association&#8217;s interim board, offered no indication in a press release Thursday whether Taveau was forced to step down.</p><p>&#8220;Dr. Taveau&#8217;s organizational and leadership skills helped launch CSDGKC as a startup business, but he made it clear from the beginning that he wanted to work part-time,&#8221; Ewing said.</p><p>Taveau, a half-time employee, earned $65,000 a year.</p><p>&#8220;No, I wasn&#8217;t forced out,&#8221; he said. &#8220;At least I don&#8217;t feel that way.&#8221;</p><p>When asked about his reasons for resigning, Taveau referred to the association&#8217;s press release for an explanation. However, no reason is provided.</p><p>Cooperating School Districts represents schools in Missouri. The association, modeled after a similar association in St. Louis, offers its members educational opportunities for employees; lobbying for educational issues; and group purchasing of school supplies, insurance and fuel.</p><p>Taveau was hired as executive director when the association organized as a nonprofit with paid staff in July 2007. The association has existed for more than 20 years as a loose cooperative of school districts.</p><p>Earlier this year, financial documents for Liberty School District showed that Taveau had used district-issued credit cards for purchases, including some for alcohol, and did not provide complete, itemized receipts. The documents triggered a public outcry among some residents in the school district.</p><p>Since that time, district officials have hired a private auditor to examine the district&#8217;s finances and spending practices. Also, a petition drive has triggered a state audit of the school district.</p><p>Taveau also is the subject of an inquiry by the Public School and Education Employee Retirement System. Officials of that organization said they are determining whether Taveau improperly received retirement benefits after Dec. 31, 2005.</p><p>Steve Yoakam, the system&#8217;s executive director, said Wednesday that it&#8217;s likely that group&#8217;s inquiry would be resolved by the Liberty School District audits.</p><p>Taveau announced his retirement to the school June 2006. The board then publicly announced the retirement a month later. Taveau worked for the district through June 30, 2007, then was paid an additional $90,764 for consulting services through Jan. 1, 2008.</p><p>Under the consulting arrangement with the school board, Taveau was paid to mentor his successor, Phil Wright.