Toussaint Cheatom to Step Down from School Board

Toussaint Cheatom has informed his colleagues on the Des Moines School Board that he is resigning his position effective today.

“As you may know, in recent months my health has been unpredictable and I have had to miss many board meetings due to hospitalizations,” Cheatom said in his resignation letter. “I feel that it is in the best interest of both myself and the community that I step down from my Board responsibilities at this time.”

Cheatom was elected to the Des Moines School Board in September 2013. He was the first person elected to represent the city’s north side District 2 seat on the School Board. After 2011, four of the seven seats on the School Board began to be elected by district rather than at-large.

“I have enjoyed working with DMPS Board and am honored to have served the community in this capacity,” added Cheatom. “The experience I earned as a Board member is very valuable to me and will serve me well in all areas of life. I wish the Board continued success and thank you for your patience and cooperation at this time.”

“It has been a pleasure to have had Toussaint Cheatom, who is a passionate advocate for our young people, as a colleague on the School Board,” said School Board President Cindy Elsbernd. “I am sorry that he is unable to complete his term but understand his personal reasons for stepping down at this time. While he may no longer be a member of the School Board, I have no doubt that he will continue to support and work for the best interests of the students of his district and all of Des Moines.”

The School Board has 30 days to select a person to serve until the next election in September 2015, when voters in District 2 will elect someone to serve the remaining two years of the term. The Board will discuss the matter at their meeting this evening, and announce details on their process in the near future.