Don Clark, Eastern Sierra Unified School District Superintendent told ESUSD Board members, and campaign staff and supporters he’s withdrawing his bid for Mono County Office of Education Superintendent. In a statement issued Tuesday afternoon, Clark wrote the following:

“Unfortunately, I have just found out that I will not be able to run for County Superintendent of Schools. There is Education Code that prohibits a District Superintendent from concurrently being a County Superintendent unless the County only has one school district within its boundaries, such as Alpine County, Plumas County, Del Norte County and San Francisco County. Since Mono County has two school districts, this Education Code comes into play. I really think that the consolidation of our administrative services would be great for our budgets and thus great for our students. But, as I said, Education Code does not currently permit this type of arrangement. Thanks to everyone that supported our effort by signing or circulating petitions to get my name on the June ballot. It is a little embarrassing to me that so many people have come out and supported our efforts and it turns out that I cannot run. I have well in excess of 300 signed petitions in my office currently and probably at least another 300 or more still with many of you. I apologize to all of you that have given your time and effort to support my platform of consolidation.”

Look for more Mono County Superintendent election coverage in this week’s print edition of The Sheet.