A third resignation on the Central Bucks board is coming later this year
It seems likely that the Central Bucks school board will have another open seat to fill later this summer.
On Tuesday afternoon, school board Vice President Dr. Mariam Mahmud confirmed her family’s plans to move later this year.
“Over summer 2024, my family will be moving as we do not want to disturb the school year for our children. I will provide ample notice to the voters and the board at that time. I am honored to continue serving the voters of Central Bucks County for as long as I remain at my current residence,” Mahmud said.
News of Mahmud’s eventual resignation came just a day after the board voted to fill two vacancies left by former board members Lisa Sciscio and Debra Cannon.
A resident who spoke at public comment at Monday’s meeting said she had a copy of a deed that apparently showed Mahmud bought a home outside of her board region.
More: Central Bucks school board fills two open seats following abrupt resignations last month
Why does Mahmud have to resign?
Mahmud, who currently lives in Chalfont, was elected to represent Region 5 in 2021, which includes New Britain Township and Chalfont Borough.
The Pennsylvania Public School Code of 1949 requires school board members to reside in the school districts and regions they are elected to.
Mahmud’s new home is located in a part of Doylestown Township in Central Bucks Region 6 — currently represented by board member Rick Haring.
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Once Mahmud makes the new home her primary address, she’ll have to resign her seat.
Mahmud and her husband are still listed as the owners of her current home in Chalfont, according to Bucks County property records.
When asked if she might run for another board seat in 2025, when the district will change to a three-region voting map, Mahmud didn’t rule it out.
“I love the district. We’ll see,” Mahmud said.
More: Central Bucks board to vote Friday on Sciscio, Cannon resignations
What happens next?
When Mahmud does resign — she hasn’t given a specific date yet — the board will likely follow the same process that they just completed Monday.
State law will give the board a month after Mahmud’s resignation to call for applications, hold interviews and then appoint a replacement until the end of Mahmud’s term next year.
Local elected officials have resigned via email, during public meetings and even addressing the crowd after a meeting has adjourned.
Applicants for Mahmud’s post will need to live in Region 5 and not hold any other elected office to be appointed to the board.
None of that can happen until Mahmud tenders a letter of resignation, a process which the school code doesn’t fully describe.
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Another Central Bucks board member leaving later this year
