Lawrence Township school board member Patricia Hendricks Farmer, whose term is expiring Dec. 31, was honored by her colleagues at the school board’s Dec. 13 meeting.
Farmer is completing a three-year term on the school board. She did not run for re-election to the school board. She ran successfully for a seat on the Lawrence Township Council and will be sworn into office Jan. 1.
School board member Michelle King thanked Farmer for her service on the school board, which included two years as school board president.
Farmer was a member of the school board’s Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment and Development Committee and served on the Community Relations and Legislative Affairs Committee.
She also served on the ad hoc Guidance and Mental Health Committee, and the ad hoc Equity Committee. She was the liaison to the school district’s partnership with the Every Child Valued enrichment program.
Superintendent of Schools Robyn Klim also paid tribute to Farmer.
“Your dedication and commitment to the Lawrence Township Public Schools is absolutely noted and valued,” Klim told Farmer.
Klim presented Farmer with a Christmas cactus plant to serve as a reminder of her tenure on the school board.
“The tradition is that the Christmas cactus blooms between Thanksgiving and into the new year. Hopefully, every time it blooms, you will think of us. I hope you look back fondly on this experience,” Klim said.
Farmer said that as a parent, a graduate of Lawrence High School and a community member, there has been no greater joy than to work alongside such a dedicated school board, staff and administration.
“The last three years has been an interesting time,” she said. “Working through the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic made the school district a much better place.
“What lies ahead for our district is so important. I am confident in the leadership of this district, led by an amazing board. We have learned so much together.”
Farmer said she would miss her colleagues on the school board, but she will be watching it as a parent and a community member.
“Thank you for making this experience so positive. I am just so grateful. Thank you for your friendship and for your advice. Thank you for letting me be a small part of this wonderful experience,” Farmer said.
