School board president resigns after arrest

Full story from Tuesday, March 8 edition

David Gullatt has resigned his post as a Lincoln Parish School Board member and president following his Friday arrest on obscenity and drug charges.

Lincoln Parish Schools Superintendent Ricky Durrett confirmed to the Daily Leader Monday that Gullatt had resigned his position, and the school district had submitted this information to the Louisiana Secretary of State's office and was awaiting a response.

With less than a year left in Gullatt's term, the school board will be able to appoint an interim member to serve until an election this fall determines a permanent replacement.

Ruston police arrested Gullatt, 72, Friday afternoon in the parking lot of Planet Fitness in the Graham Shopping Center after he allegedly exposed himself and performed a lewd act in his vehicle in plain view while talking to an adjacent motorist. Officers found suspected methamphetamine and a glass smoking pipe on Gullatt's person, according to an arrest report.

Gullatt faces felony charges of obscenity, possession of a Schedule II controlled, dangerous substance, and introduction of contraband into a penal institution, as well as a misdemeanor charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.

His total bond on the charges was $30,000, which he appeared to have posted Saturday, as he was no longer listed on the detention center's inmate registry.