David Brooks, a longtime Newport-Mesa Unified School District trustee, announced Tuesday that he plans to step down, citing time constraints and frequent travel with a charitable organization.
Brooks, a retired Costa Mesa police captain, has represented the Estancia High School zone since April 1998. His term officially ends in 2016, but his last day will be March 11.
He is involved in Voice of China and Asia, a missionary society, which requires lengthy travel.
This other obligation made continuing to serve on the school board difficult, Brooks said.
"I want to put more time and effort doing the traveling I need to do," he said Wednesday. "Traveling makes it difficult to be in town for board meetings, committees, site visits and all the other things that we're required to do on the board."
The board will decide Jan. 28 whether it will appoint a new trustee or hold a special election.