photo by: Contributed

Former Lawrence school board member Anne Costello

Citing “personal circumstances,” Lawrence school board member Anne Costello has resigned her position on the board effective immediately.

As a part of the school board’s consent agenda on Monday, the board voted to accept the resignation of Costello as well as publish the notice of the board’s vacancy. Costello, who was serving a four-year term and first elected in 2024, was not in attendance at the board meeting, and Vice President Bob Byers read aloud a statement she prepared.

“It is with sincere regret that I submit my resignation from my position as a member of the Lawrence Public Schools Board of Education, effective immediately,” Costello said in the statement. “The decision was not made lightly. Due to personal circumstances, I find it necessary to step down at this time.”

Costello said it had been a privilege to serve on the board, and that she was grateful for the opportunity to support the students, staff and community.

“I am proud of the progress we have made together to strengthen our schools and advance the district’s mission,” Costello said in the statement. “The dedication and collaboration demonstrated by this Board, our administrators, teachers, and staff are a true reflection of our community’s commitment to education.”

Costello added in the statement that she was confident in the board’s continued leadership and focus on student success.

Board member Shannon Kimball said she appreciated working with Costello and thanked her for everything she had done for the board.

“She dove into this work and she put all of herself into it,” Kimball said. “And she really brought her best to the board table and to the things that we worked on together. I will miss her very much as a board colleague.”

Costello’s term was scheduled to end in January 2028. According to the agenda, Kansas law directs that if a board vacancy occurs after May 1 of the second year of the board member’s term, the board will fill the vacancy by appointing someone to serve the remainder of the unexpired term.

Byers said the board will be sharing a timeline and next steps in the selection process for a new board member at the next board meeting on Nov. 10. The agenda said the application form and process will be made on the available on the school district website following the November meeting.