BROOKINGS – Brookings School Board member Jennifer Lacher-Starace will resign her spot on the school board in order to teach, according to Monday's Brookings School Board agenda.
Up for board consideration Monday will be approval of Lacher-Starace’s resignation and approval of a 2018-2019 teaching contract for her. She said she’s accepting an eighth-grade reading and English teaching job at Mickelson Middle School, “which means I have to resign my position from the board because I can’t be my own boss.”
“I’m sorry to leave and give that up,” she added, “but my heart is in the classroom. I’m so excited to have this opportunity.”
The resignation would go into effect immediately upon board approval.
Lacher-Starace began her three-year term on the school board in 2017. The school board will appoint someone to fill her post.
To that end, the agenda has up for board approval advertising the school board vacancy, with applications to be considered at the June 2018 meeting. That meeting date, originally set for June 11, will change, also to be determined at the May 14 meeting.
Lacher-Starace’s last day on the job as a teaching, learning and leadership instructor will be May 21. She’s held that job for eight years, and due to her work at South Dakota State University, she said she is thrilled to work alongside some of her former students.
Although the change is bittersweet, she said teaching at Mickelson Middle School has been a longtime goal of hers, ever since she moved back to Brookings.
“I have nothing but the highest regard for my fellow board members, for Dr. Willert, for Brian Lueders, Laura Gerjets,” Lacher-Starace said. “They are such hardworking people and so committed to the kids in this district, all of them – the board members, the administration. I just can’t say enough good about them.”
Contact Eric Sandbulte at esandbulte@brookingsregister.com.
