A Letter to the Community From Debbie Squires

Editor's note: This letter was given to Patch by Debbie Squires, who asked that we run it on the site.

It is with mixed feelings that I announce from the Board this evening (November 11, 2010), effective immediately.  It is no surprise to those that know me well that my life has changed considerably since you re-elected me in November 2007, to my 4^th term on the Board.  Even though at times, those changes have made my Board service challenging, I was determined to make it work.

I realized some time ago that I would likely not be running again when my term was up in 2011.  A little over two years ago, I began a new job in Lansing, working for the Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principals Association, better known as MEMSPA.  During that time my work responsibilities have expanded, but I decided the drive was manageable, in order to complete my commitment.  I went back to school this spring to work on my Masters degree, and although the time necessary to further my own education made some of my Board commitments more difficult, I was still managing, and expected to negotiate an extension of my lease.

It wasn't until my boss became critically ill this fall that I realized I needed to be closer to work, sooner rather than later.  His repeated hospitalizations and continuing medical condition have made my schedule unpredictable at best.  Still in an attempt to complete as much of my term as possible, and my attempt to complete the middle school utilization process, I continued to negotiate an extension of my lease.  However, when it became apparent that I would have to agree to a 2-year lease, I had to reconsider my Board service commitment.  After considering a number of options, I decided it was time to move to the Lansing area.

This relocation has made my resignation from not only the Huron Valley Board necessary, but also from the Oakland Schools Board, and as a result, from the MASB Board of Directors as well.

I know that some will ask why this resignation wasn't made earlier so that voters could elect my replacement as a part of the election last week, especially given the announcement of a write-in candidate.  What you need to know is that I would have had to announce my resignation by the 3^rd of August in order for that scenario to have played out.  According to state election law, a vacancy on a Board of Education, created 90 days or less before an election, would still have the same outcome as my resignation today – a Board appointment until the November 2011 election.  It wasn't until mid to late September that it became clear I would need to leave so early.  Even then I continued to explore options that would allow me to stay longer.

Although this announcement comes as a surprise to many this evening, I did give prior notice to the Board and the Superintendent, so they would be able to announce the appointment process without a delay. 

I would like to make a few suggestions to those who may consider applying for the vacant seat–

• if you plan to do it for the glory – don't, there isn't any,

• if you plan to do it for the pay – don't, $30 a meeting doesn't go far,
• if you plan to do it for your favorite program – don't, you may have to cut or even end it,
• if you plan to do it to represent an employee group – don't, you will have to make decisions they won't like,
• if you plan to do it because you think you have all the answers – please don't, you may not even know all the questions yet,
• and if you plan to do it only for your child, or your school – please don't, you would be the wrong person. 

However, if you plan to do it to serve, to the best of your ability, ALL the children in Huron Valley schools and NO ONE ELSE, then by all means -go for it and I wish you the best of luck!

Finally, I would like to thank the community for allowing me the privilege of serving for over 15 years; the staff for their unbelievable commitment to the students they serve each and every day, and finally my fellow Board members, past, present, and future; only you can fully understand the heartache of some of our decisions, and the indescribable sense of accomplishment you get to experience knowing you have made a difference in the lives of children, and that you get to pay it forward, each and every day!