Gautier City Council member Dick Paul said he will resign from the Pascagoula School Board.

On July 31, Paul received an opinion from the attorney general’s office that said his service on the school board and the City Council is a violation of the separation of powers law.

Controversy surrounding Paul’s dual service began about three months ago. Some council members said residents also had raised questions, and a majority of the officials welcomed a final attorney general opinion to clarify the legality of Paul’s double service.

Paul said leaving the board itself would not be too difficult since he had been prepared to do so when he initially ran for the city council.

Gautier’s representative on the Pascagoula School Board normally is elected. The Pascagoula City Council, whose members have asked for candidates from Gautier officials, makes an appointment when the seat is vacated during a term.