WILKES-BARRE - The most controversial member of the Wilkes-Barre Area School Board does not intend to make his early departure from office easy.
Though Robert Corcoran, an optometrist, is now living in Germany and working a civilian job at a military base, he participated in the board's monthly meeting last week by video to vote on several issues. His presence as a face on a laptop computer screen led three other board members to walk out in protest.
But Mr. Corcoran has signaled he will not attend any more meetings, school officials said. In that case, the board could, under state law, remove him after two consecutive monthly meetings. Given the opportunity, board President John Quinn said Thursday that the eviction, which could come as early as the meeting April 8, would be "an automatic."
The school board would then have 30 days to vote for a replacement - a task that may be easier said than done considering Mr. Corcoran often cast the decisive fifth vote on the divided nine-member board. If no decision is made by the deadline, a judge would appoint someone to the seat.
The board does not have the legal authority to remove an elected official - that power lies solely with the courts. Board member Christine Katsock, who walked out of the meeting with Lynn Evans and Maryanne Toole, has forwarded the issue to Luzerne County District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis, who said last week that her office is investigating whether to act against Mr. Corcoran, though the issue will be moot if he doesn't show up again.
In a statement from the computer screen at the meeting last week, Mr. Corcoran criticized the boycotting members, saying it was they who had "abandoned their constituents." He argued it was his responsibility and duty to participate in the meeting and said he maintained voting registration and a driver's license in the district.
Why Mr. Corcoran hasn't resigned is a question to which no one seems to have an answer. The absentee board member did not respond to an email seeking comment Friday.
Mr. Corcoran began his four-year term in December 2009 and would have to run in a primary election in May to keep his seat.
Ms. Evans, who faces the same primary election but said she won't seek another term, had a message for the overseas optometrist.
"You know what, Bob? You're gone. Just do the grown-up thing and resign because it's not a fast process to get someone to fill your spot," she said. "We've done this before."
Contact the writer: pcameron@citizensvoice.com, @cvpetercameron