Honored for her hard work, steady presence during 26 years on KCSD board
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Kennett Consolidated School District Superintendent of Schools Dr. Barry Tomasetti presents a gold key to Shirley Annand, who announced her resignation from the school board Monday night. Annand had been one of the longest serving school board members in Chester County.
KENNETT — Shirley Annand, one of the longest serving board of education directors in Chester County announced her intention to resign Monday night during the Kennett Consolidated School District board meeting — and her resignation was reluctantly accepted amid warm and lengthy praise for her service to the district.
Annand has been a member of the Kennett school board since 1986, but said in her letter of resignation that “new commitments have brought me to this time” leading to her decision to resign, effective Oct. 22. The board is expected to appoint an interim replacement from Region B (New Garden) who will serve through Dec. 1, 2013, next month.
While her soon-to-be-former colleagues will take up the process to replace her early next month, Monday night they focused on praising Annand what they repeatedly described as her calm, steady guidance and devotion to the school district.
“To say that we’ll miss you goes beyond what words can say,” Superintendent Dr. Barry Tomasetti said.
Board Vice President Heather Schaen read a lengthy tribute to Annand.
“You know, we don’t want to let you go,” she said, calling her a “true legend in our district.”
Fellow board director Dominic Perigo, went further, moving that Annand be honored as the first district “Legend” to be permanently displayed at Legacy Field — a motion that was unanimously passed moments later.
Board president Douglas Stirling cited Annand’s guidance and help during his first year on the board, and noted how many of them took their cue from her actions and words — and sometimes, he said, what she didn’t say.
“I think you guys are just trying to make me cry,” Annand said of the warm tributes and thanks from her colleagues, many of whom also read messages from previous board directors and administrators.
Dr. Joseph O’Brien, executive director of the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU), added to the tributes, noting Annand’s 13 years as member of CCIU board, as Kennett’s representative, calling her a “perfect board member.”
“She couldn’t stop at one board,” O’Brien joked, before presenting Annand with a resolution of thanks from the CCIU.
In addition to the CCIU resolution, her colleagues presented Annand with a large key, flowers and a crystal plaque to thank her for her service.
The board of education will accept applications for the seat through Oct. 31. All applicants must be over 18 and live in New Garden Township. Interviews will be conducted at a special meeting prior to the board Finance Commitee meeting, 6 p.m. at the district office. The board is expected to appoint Annand’s replacement at its regular meeting on Nov. 12.
Annand’s resignation means that five board seats will be up for election in November, 2013.
In addition to Annand’s seat, current members Stirling (Kennett Square), Schaen (Kennett Twp./East Marlborough), Janis Reynolds (Kennett Twp./East Marlborough) and George Drake (New Garden) all face reelection next year. The process to run for school board begins in February, 2013, Stirling said, when would-be candidates must collect signatures on nominating petitions to be placed on the May primary ballot.
