Embattled Hickman Mills school board member resigns

In a letter to Hickman Mills school leaders Wednesday, Dan Osman resigned from his seat on the board of directors.

Osman came under fire last week from members of the Hickman Mills School Board and the community after he announced to the board that he had moved out of the Missouri district to live in Kansas, but wanted to remain on the board.

A review of his residency status was launched by the Jackson County prosecutor’s office after a member of the community filed a complaint against Osman, alleging that he was in violation of Missouri statutes by serving on a school board in Missouri when he lived out of state.

When Osman, a 39-year-old Kansas City lawyer, told board members about his residency change he asked if he could serve out the remainder of his term, which expires in April.

The issue split the seven-member board, with three members siding with Osman’s wish to remain on the board and three board members calling for him to resign.

“I wanted to fulfill the commitment I made to the district and the community when I was elected,” Osman said in his letter.

In Wednesday’s letter Osman urged the board to find a new member “quickly,” and thanked the community for the “privilege to serve” over the past five years.

This story was originally published September 7, 2016 at 5:55 PM with the headline "Embattled Hickman Mills school board member resigns."