LANGLEY — South Whidbey school board member Sharon Knight has resigned so she can apply for a teaching position in the South Whidbey School District.

Knight resigned on March 1 and said she will apply for the physical education specialist position at the Primary School that was recently vacated by Jan McNeely.

McNeely was appointed teacher director of the Primary School following the resignation of former principal Bernie Mahar.

Vacancies on the South Whidbey school board have become commonplace in recent times.

Knight was appointed to the board in April 2006 to fill the seat vacated by Bobby Riggs, who left for business reasons.

Knight, a former teacher, said she is stepping down with mixed feelings.

“I will miss my role in the important work of the school board,” she said.

“Teaching is my passion, and physical education is my first love. It is now time for me to follow my heart and support the school system at the ground level,” Knight said.

According to Jennifer Weimer, Human Resources specialist for the district, a board member who wants to apply for a district position must first resign from the board.

“It could create issues if that person was not hired but remained on the board,” Weimer said.

District officials are expected to begin the interview process next week.

Knight was the director from District 1, the Freeland area.

Anyone interested in filling the vacant position should contact Sue Terhar at the district office or check the Website www.sw.wednet.edu for an application.

New faces have been appearing on the school board as veteran directors leave. In December 2006, nine-year veteran Jim Adsley resigned. Fred O’Neal, who previously served on the board from 1991 to 1995, replaced Adsley.

Another returning director is Steve Scoles, who replaced Greg Gilles in November 2006.

Scoles was elected to the board from 1995 to 1999. He then lost to Ray Gabelein in 1999.