Schools

Shafer Resigns from Spring-Ford School Board

David Shafer served on the school board for six years.

Spring-Ford Area School District board member David Shafer tendered his resignation to the rest of the school board at Monday night's meeting. 

Shafer recently relocated to Miami for a job opportunity.

"When I joined the board six years ago, I wanted to follow in the footsteps of my father and serve the community," Shafer said.

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"To the teachers, it's been an honor. To the administration, thank you. To my colleagues, it was a lot of fun...sitting up here and sometimes bickering - we have disagreed, but the disagreements have been professional," Shafer told the attendees. 

There was some good-natured ribbing back and forth between several board members about Shafer's choice of Miami as a new home. 

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"You'd better take that Gators sticker off your car, because you're in Hurricane country," said board vice-president Joseph Ciresi. 

On a more serious note, Ciresi said, "We've enjoyed the time we spent on the board together, we wish you the best of luck."

Board president Thomas DiBello told Shafer, "You always brought a positive side to the things we talked about. We didn't always agree, but you provided a good working environment."

DiBello asked board solicitor Mark Fitzgerald what the procedure is to fill Shafer's seat.

Fitzgerald advised the board that the procedure is up to them, but accepting Shafer's resignation starts a 30-day window to replace Shafer.

"What if we get to day 31 or 32?" asked board member Mark Dehnert.

"The Court of Common Pleas could get involved," Fitzgerald said.

The board unanimously agreed to accept Shafer's resignation. The consensus among board members was to publicize the vacancy and have candidates send in a letter of intent if they are interested. 

The seat must be filled by someone who would represent the same region as Shafer. That region, Region I, encompasses the Upper Providence voting districts of Mingo 1 and 2, Oaks, and Mont Clare.

Details about applying to fill the vacancy will be available as soon as the district can prepare a press release. 

Shafer said he would miss serving on the board.

"When we had goodbye parties for our children, we chose to call them 'see you later' parties, not goodbye," Shafer said.

"So, see you later."


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