PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — Longtime Portsmouth School Board member Claude Parent has resigned from his position on the board.

Parent told 10 On Your Side that he was diagnosed with kidney cancer last year. Ahead of future treatment, he said he can’t justify staying on the board.

The Portsmouth School Board issued a vacancy announcement recently and said it will appoint a person to fill the open seat by Feb. 14, 2022.

The term for the seat will end Dec. 31, 2022, the end of Parent’s term.

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Those who are interested in being appointed to the seat should request an application from Kathy L. Chambliss, clerk of the School Board, by email at kathy.chambliss@portsk12.com. Qualifications for the school board seat can be obtained from Chambliss.

The application should be returned by Jan. 14 and can be submitted by email.