Richard L. Moore, who is also a two-term state legislator, submitted his resignation Wednesday. He represents the 90th N.C. House District, which includes Kannapolis and a portion of Cabarrus County.

Moore, 28, a Kannapolis native and graduate of A.L. Brown High School, has worked in various jobs at the school over the past several years.

He was the lead teacher in the school’s alternative program, Second Chance, which drew national attention with a visit from U.S. Secretary of Education Richard B. Riley.

On Thursday, School Board Chairman Lee Efird confirmed Moore’s resignation.

Efird would not comment on whether school officials had asked for the resignation.

He also declined to comment on whether the resignation came as a result of an investigation, complaint or incident, citing legal constraints involving personnel and confidentiality requirements.

Kannapolis Superintendent Ed Tyson said today that Moore’s resignation was effective Wednesday.

Tyson said school officials did not request Moore’s resignation. He declined comment on questions about any incident, complaint or investigation related to the resignation, citing personnel laws.

He said Moore had been working with companies to find jobs for students in the exceptional children’s program at A.L. Brown High School.

Moore said this morning that he has decided to return to school and seek a master’s degree in ministry. He said he will enter the Southeastern Seminary in Charlotte on Monday.

Moore said he felt it was best to resign rather than take a leave of absence, adding that he felt he is being led toward the ministry.

He said he plans to continue to serve as a lawmaker.

Moore became one of the youngest legislators in the state’s history when he won election in 1996, taking the seat vacated by Robin Hayes. Two years earlier, Moore had narrowly lost to Hayes.

A rising star in the Democratic party, Moore has drawn support from the state and national party. He was prominently mentioned as a possible Democratic candidate for the U.S. 8th District Congressional seat when W.G. “Bill” Hefner retired in 1998.

Moore currently serves on the state task force looking at school violence. He is one of two legislators appointed by Gov. Jim Hunt, to the task force in the wake of the Littleton, Colo., shootings.

A 1993 graduate of Duke University, he worked briefly for the university in a program to help youth in the inner city of Durham.

Since returning to Kannapolis, Moore has been active at Shadybrook Baptist Church, heading up youth programs, as a part-time youth director. He recently served as interim pastor there.