JACKSON – The Jackson School District Board of Education will not have a full compliment of seven members until it reorganizes in January after accepting the resignation of Michael Hanlon in November.
Hanlon, who is moving out of Jackson after 39 years, did not seek re-election in November. Tara Rivera, who won a three-year term in the Nov. 7 election, will be sworn in when the board reorganizes in January and fill the seat Hanlon held.
Hanlon sent five children through Jackson’s public schools.
“My goal has been to give back one year for every year I had a child in the school district, which was 22 years. I came close to that at 19 years and I say that (I am resigning) with a heavy heart,” Hanlon said.
“I have known so many great people and I know I am leaving the board with a much better group of board members and individuals who put our students first. Although everyone up here has a very strong ego, they leave those egos outside whenever they come to a meeting and it is a wonderful thing to see.
“I know this district is in very fine hands with this administration and this board and I would like to thank them all for all the support they have given over the years,” Hanlon said.
Board member Sharon Dey said, “Mr. Hanlon, you are the first board member I ever spoke to back in 2003. Thank you for all your years of service. As a parent of a child with special needs, a new program had just been put into place and you helped guide that program.
“My son has grown through that program to be a senior, and that program grew and gave back to so many students of this district; you helped us as parents and helped so many students. I hope you know what you mean to my family because you are part of that family now.
“People don’t have any idea of the dedication and service that goes on behind the scenes. I thank you and I know many other parents thank you for everything you have done,” Dey said.
Board President Scott Sargent called Hanlon a “class act” and said, “there is a level of smoothness when you come into the (meeting) room that I appreciate because not everybody has to be aggressive, not everybody has to be loud and abrasive …
“Mr. Hanlon, I appreciate you immensely; just watching you and learning from your experience. The fact that you spent 19 years on this board … is a testament to your stick-to-it (attitude) and diplomatic approach. Thank you,” Sargent said.
The board’s reorganization meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 3 in the district’s administration building, 151 Don Connor Boulevard. The meeting is open to the public. Dey will be sworn in to begin a new term on the board and Rivera will be sworn in to begin her first term as a board member.
