Board of Education member Lei Ahu Isa announced today she is resigning from the Board, effective immediately.

Ahu Isa, an assistant professor at Hawaii Pacific University, resigned to allow Gov. Neil Abercrombie to fill her vacancy by making his first BOE appointment, a board news release said.

Last year, voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment that ended BOE elections and gave the governor the authority to appoint members. The state Legislature is crafting a new law specifying the appointment process.

“The road has not been easy, nor has the burden been light, but the policies that we put in place will hopefully help the future appointed board as they try to implement these initiatives,” Ahu Isa said. “It took years for us to move the department forward to help our students meet the challenges of the 21st century.”

An Oahu at-large member elected in 2004, Ahu Isa has held several leadership positions, including first vice chairwoman.

She most recently served as chairwoman of the Committee on Curriculum, Instruction & Student Support, which is responsible for early childhood to adult education.

“Her broad legislative, business, and academic experience and knowledge have proven invaluable in Board decisions,” BOE Chairman Garrett Toguchi said. “Personally, I appreciated her support and insightful advice over the years. Her care for students has always been at the forefront of her decisions.”