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School board member quits
By Jessica Musicar, Staff Writer
Friday, October 02, 2009 | No comments posted.
A North Bend School Board member has stepped down from her position, after only three months with the district.
In a letter of resignation submitted on Sept. 24, Debbie Smith wrote that she accepted a job in Washington, D.C., and wanted to relocate to the area to be closer to her daughter, who is attending The College of New Jersey.
“While she doesn’t need me living too close by, we decided that Oregon is simply too far away, as Chelsea will require more support in the coming years as she completes her college education,” Smith wrote.
Her resignation went into effect immediately. Smith joined the board in July after she beat out fellow candidate, Jeremy Hackney, in the May election.
“I appreciate more than I can express how honored I have been that the citizens of North Bend entrusted me with such a tremendous responsibility of overseeing the education of their children,” Smith wrote.
According to a North Bend School District newsletter, the school board will declare the vacancy at its Oct. 12 regular board meeting and will accept applications to fill the position. Applicants should live on the north side of the bay.
On Thursday, Smith said she’ll be doing research for a legal think tank, but her real job will be helping out her daughter, who just started college.
“My job is not done yet ... because of her developmental delay she needs more support than your average college freshman,” Smith said. “It was a hard decision for me, but I had to do what is best for my daughter.”
She added that she may seek another leadership position following the move.
“I would guess that my political ambitions have not ended with the North Bend School Board,” she said.
Board Chairwoman Deb Reid said the resignation came as a surprise. While she feels Smith is leaving for all the right reasons, her loss will be a blow to the board.
“I’m of course really disappointed, because she had all the hallmarks of a great board member,” Reid said.
Those interested in applying should send a letter of application with qualifications to the school board at 1913 Meade St. in North Bend.
In a letter of resignation submitted on Sept. 24, Debbie Smith wrote that she accepted a job in Washington, D.C., and wanted to relocate to the area to be closer to her daughter, who is attending The College of New Jersey.
“While she doesn’t need me living too close by, we decided that Oregon is simply too far away, as Chelsea will require more support in the coming years as she completes her college education,” Smith wrote.
Her resignation went into effect immediately. Smith joined the board in July after she beat out fellow candidate, Jeremy Hackney, in the May election.
“I appreciate more than I can express how honored I have been that the citizens of North Bend entrusted me with such a tremendous responsibility of overseeing the education of their children,” Smith wrote.
According to a North Bend School District newsletter, the school board will declare the vacancy at its Oct. 12 regular board meeting and will accept applications to fill the position. Applicants should live on the north side of the bay.
On Thursday, Smith said she’ll be doing research for a legal think tank, but her real job will be helping out her daughter, who just started college.
“My job is not done yet ... because of her developmental delay she needs more support than your average college freshman,” Smith said. “It was a hard decision for me, but I had to do what is best for my daughter.”
She added that she may seek another leadership position following the move.
“I would guess that my political ambitions have not ended with the North Bend School Board,” she said.
Board Chairwoman Deb Reid said the resignation came as a surprise. While she feels Smith is leaving for all the right reasons, her loss will be a blow to the board.
“I’m of course really disappointed, because she had all the hallmarks of a great board member,” Reid said.
Those interested in applying should send a letter of application with qualifications to the school board at 1913 Meade St. in North Bend.
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