Kentwood School Board member quits (admitted using fake name in emails)

[UrbScotty]

http://www.mlive.com/search/index.ssf?/base/news-14/108264710987560.xml?grpress?NEG

KENTWOOD -- Kentwood Board of Education member Edward Kape resigned today, a week after he admitted sending two critical e-mails to teachers under a fake name.

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The resignation comes two days after the district released copies of other e-mails administrators received under the same fake name, "Ella Schultz," and after Kape this week admitted to a Press reporter he once claimed he knew Ella Schultz.

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"As to Ella Schultz, I know there are multiple people who have been Ella Schultz," Kape said. "I admit to being one of them. As to the other identities, I will let the other 'Ella Schultzes' speak for themselves."

"I'm choosing to resign because I don't want my mistake to distract from the integrity of the school board," Kape added. "I am concerned the union will try to question the integrity of this board as a way of distracting from the real issues."

The district's unions are embroiled in difficult contract negotiations with the school board. Kape's resignation came today at an emotional special meeting just prior to a mediation session for negotiating teams.