Morristown school board sees fifth resignation in two years

MORRISTOWN - Kimberly A. Marshall has resigned from the Morristown Central School Board of Education, making her the fifth board member to leave in the past two years.

Superintendent David J. Glover said Thursday that Mrs. Marshall’s resignation, issued in a letter Feb. 1, came “with no reasoning given.”

“Not even a statement of ‘personal reasons,’” he said.

Mrs. Marshall’s resignation continues a trend of musical chairs occurring on the Morristown board of education since Barbara A. Griffith resigned June 30, 2010. Three other board members, Charles R. Alford, Susan Wright, and James R. Michaels, have since resigned citing personal reasons. Mrs. Griffith resigned because her family was leaving the area.

While Mr. Glover declined comment on Mrs. Marshall’s decision, its timing is not ideal. Besides being immersed in one of the most difficult budgeting seasons in recent years, the district also remains in conversations with neighboring Hammond Central School over a possible athletic merger.

Mrs. Marshall has been a strong advocate for such a merger since the conversation became public in October. Her daughter, Gabby, is one of two Morristown athletes currently playing for the Hammond girls varsity basketball team in a merger agreement this winter. Mrs. Marshall could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Mr. Glover said how the school board deals with the vacancy will be discussed at their meeting Tuesday at 6 p.m. He said he also expects the board to move forward with the athletic merger with Hammond.

“They may choose to fill the spot or not,” he said, pointing towards board elections a few months down the road. “It may just end up being four open seats in May.”

There is a year left on Mrs. Marshall’s term, according to Mr. Glover.

Three-year terms currently held by Gary R. Baldwin, Scot A. Rupert and James H. Bogardus are also up for election in May, he said.