Official Statements from Board and Stephanie Marquesano

The Ardsley School Board just released the official announcement, from last night's meeting, of Stephanie Marquesano's resignation, as well as the text of a note she wished to be read into the official record:

Today, the Ardsley Board of Education received, and will formally accept at its next regular meeting, a letter of resignation from Trustee, Stephanie Marquesano.  We will accept this letter of resignation with the acknowledgement that Ms. Marquesano, in her short term of office, has served the Ardsley School District well in her actions as a Trustee of the Board of Education, making decisions that have only been in the best interest of the students, families, and staff of the district.  She has been a tireless community service volunteer who has devoted her time and energy toward the betterment of the school district, first as an officer in the district’s PTA, and then as an elected trustee of the Board of Education having received one of the highest vote tallies in the past decade.

Ms. Marquesano’s resignation is purely voluntary and not based on any violation of any provision of the law, neglect of duty, or willfully disobeying any decision, order or policy of this Board of Education. We, as her colleagues, recognize that she has determined that her action, at this time, is in the best interest of this School District.  Her decision to resign was done so to allow this Board of Education to move forward and to conduct its business of directing the School District toward providing the best possible educational program for all its students.”

In addition to receiving a one-line letter of resignation from Ms. Marquesano, she requested that a further statement be read for the record.  It is as follows:

“I have deliberately chosen to stay quiet for the past week or so, each day I reflect on both the painful moments and the moments that continue to give me faith in the humanity of my neighbors.  Why stay quiet you may ask when my words might provide answers? In the words of Thaddeus Golas, “The trouble with Evil is that it seduces us into trying to eliminate it,” and watching and hearing some of you in this community has convinced me that I simply should not take the bait.

I leave the Board proud of the many things that have been accomplished this year, and saddened that my choice will keep me from being a part of charting the course for the future of the Ardsley School District. Community service and volunteering have been a part of my life for all of my adult life, and there will be a void to fill. To the many people who have provided my family and me with much appreciated support and words of  encouragement during a time that I would not wish on anyone, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.  I also want to thank my fellow Board Members and Administration for their guidance, cooperation, respect and friendship during my time on the Board.
   
Please remember, relying on rumors, distortions, half-truths or gossip, taking things out of context and using them as fact may be acceptable on a reality show, but we are a flesh and blood family living in this community. Just as important, not everything is always as it appears. No one is perfect, each of us has his differences, his flaws, his strengths and his weaknesses.  No outsider can venture to guess where someone has come from and what he is doing to make it to the next place successfully.

For our own future...in the words of Robert Frost, “In three words I can sum up everything I have learned about life: It goes on.”  And ours will too.”

Comments

[John Godfrey]

First paragraph of the outgoing Ardsley School Board member's response: Interesting observations on that nature of "evil" and its power to seduce. Very relevant, if you ask me.

Second paragraph: Too much spin, but perhaps some ownership of the problem - great to hear.

Fourth paragraph: Agreed. Good luck to all.

But the third paragraph? Protecting and defending and denying after all of this? Unbelievable. Just unbelievable.