BROOKINGS – The Brookings School Board approved board member Jennifer Lacher-Starace’s resignation and 2018-2019 teaching contract Monday night.

Thanks to the board’s approval, Lacher-Starace will move from behind the school board meeting table and her job as a teaching, learning and leadership instructor at South Dakota State University to the classroom this fall. She has accepted an eighth-grade reading and English teaching job at Mickelson Middle School, a place where she has wanted to work since moving back to Brookings eight years ago.

The resignation went into immediate effect upon board approval, and she received an ovation and thanks from her fellow board members who were present.

“We’re so excited to have you in the district, and thank you for all the time and effort and insight and expertise,” Mellissa Heermann said. “We very much appreciate you.”

“We know there are a lot of students who will be very well taken care of,” Van Fishback said.

Steve Bayer added, “This is a rare instance where our loss is our gain. Very happy to have you in your new role.”

Brookings School District Superintendent Klint Willert likewise thanked her for her service on the board, saying, “I equally look forward to your service in your other capacity. … Just know you are appreciated and we look forward to working with you as a staff member.”

Willert said Lacher-Starace went through the same vetting process any other job candidate would go through.

Lacher-Starace called her time on the school board a learning experience that she treasures.

“The people in this district have their hearts and their heads in the right place, and I think we are so fortunate as a district to have these wonderful people here,” she said. “I look forward to serving in a different capacity (and) to be a part of Mickelson Middle School.”

Lacher-Starace began her three-year term on the school board in 2017. The school board will appoint someone to fill her post for the remainder of her term.

With that in mind, the school board also approved advertising the school board vacancy, with applications to be considered at the 6 p.m. June 18 school board meeting, rescheduled from its original meeting date of June 11.

Contact Eric Sandbulte at esandbulte@brookingsregister.com.