Wake school board member Malone announces resignation

By law, Malone can’t hold two election positions.

Malone, a Republican who represents District 1 in northeast Wake County, was one of four Republicans elected to the school board in 2009 who helped make controversial changes to how the district operates, including a change to the long-standing way the school system assigns students to schools.

The school board must appoint someone to fill Malone's term, which expires in 2013.

Most recently, his name surfaced in a 2010 Cary police investigation in which fellow board member Debra Goldman suspected he might have been responsible for a theft of her home.

Malone, who was cleared in the case, told police that he and Goldman had carried on an affair while they were both married to other people. Goldman denied that there was ever a romance and said she rebuffed Malone's advances.

Although Malone did not directly address the matter, in his statement Friday, he wrote:

"I am mindful that we all have an obligation to live up to the highest standards of personal conduct. To those I have disappointed, I would like to extend a heartfelt apology."

Prior to the school board, Malone was on the Wake Forest Board of Commissioners from 2001 to 2005. 

Two other board members unsuccessfully ran for higher office this year. Goldman lost her bid for state auditor, while board member John Tedesco lost in the race for state school superintendent.