GUILFORD COUNTY, N.C. — UPDATE: Michael Logan was sworn in as the school board member for the District 3 seat Tuesday night.
After months of battling to keep his place on the Guilford County School Board, Bill Goebel throws in the towel.
Goebel confirmed his resignation with WFMY News 2 on Sept. 19.
He said he was stunned when he got the call from his lawyer saying the Guilford County School Board would seat Michael Logan in his place at Tuesday's board meeting.
Goebel's lawyer presented the option to sue and challenge the bill that caused him to lose his seat, But Goebel decided against it.
"When you put the kids and parents in focus it became apparent, I needed to step aside let this drama stop and I can go forward and do a lot of good things in the community and run again," Goebel said.
Goebel sat at home to make plans for his campaign to get his seat back during election season, while Michael Logan was sworn in at Tuesday's school board meeting.
So how did we get here? Here's the cliff notes:
In April, the board appointed Bill Goebel to fill the seat.
The county’s Republican party nominated Michael Logan to fill the seat, but the Democrat-controlled board repeatedly rejected his nomination.
After he was sworn in, Goebel was censured by the Guilford County Republican party.
In May, the Guilford County Republican party charged Goebel with party disloyalty. It also resulted in some Republican school board members filing a lawsuit against Goebel and the school board chair.
Republicans in the state legislature changed state law to overturn that move, effectively removing Goebel from his seat.
Goebel's attorney Chuck Winfree wrote a letter to the school board this week saying he should remain in office.
In a statement, the Guilford County GOP responded, writing "The committee followed the law Goebel is not following the new law. His appointment was made after secret meetings and they made a deal in secret and that's why they're getting sued."
In a special meeting, members voted to allow outside counsel to handle a recent letter from current board member Goebel, claiming the nomination of Michael Logan is unconstitutional.
Then, on Monday, Goebel announced his resignation and he also said he wasn't moving forward with the lawsuit.
WFMY News 2 spoke to Logan after his swearing-in about the path he took to get here and how he plans to work with the school board moving forward.
"I'm willing to fight. I've shown that for the last 10 months but I'm also willing to work together it's up to them," Logan said. "I can work with anyone willing to work with me."
School board member Crissy Pratt shared her thoughts saying they don't think politics should get in the way of taking care of kids.
Others thanked Goebel for his time on the board and welcomed Logan.
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