Vince Chowdhury was given until today to resign from the board.

Vince Chowdhury, a Jefferson County school board member and state House candidate, has dropped from sight since pleading guilty July 8 to a misdemeanor assault charge.

The school board gave Chowdhury until today to voluntarily resign after he was given a one-year suspended sentence for slapping his teenage daughter for acting in what he called a "disrespectful" manner.

As of late Thursday, district officials said they hadn't heard from him.

Jefferson County Democratic Party leaders — who have endorsed Chowdhury's House District 22 opponent, Camille Ryckman, in the Aug. 12 primary — also would like a response.

"It's too late to remove his name from the ballot, but it's clear-cut to me that he needs to withdraw," said Jeffco party chairman Dick Barkey.

"I can't talk to you right now. I'm sorry," Chowdhury told a Denver Post reporter calling for comment.

Chowdhury skipped Wednesday night's large rally to kick off the Jeffco school district's mill-levy override and bond-issue election campaign.

The board sent Chowdhury, a seven-year member, a letter stating that his "continued service" would not be in the best interest of students, staff and the community.

Because Chowdhury is an independently elected official, the board cannot legally force him to resign, district officials said.

Chowdhury could be removed through a recall election, but no one has taken out the paperwork from the Jefferson County clerk's office.

The school district's attorney did not want to comment on options if Chowdhury refuses to resign because the board would have to receive legal advice first, said spokeswoman Lynn Setzer.

District officials said privately that Chowdhury could be removed as board treasurer and from committee assignments.

If Chowdhury does resign, the board would have 60 days to advertise the vacancy, interview applicants and select a replacement.

The successor would fill the remainder of Chowdhury's term, which expires in November 2009.