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.”
