by David Flint
John Greene, President of the Berlin School Board since last July, has submitted his resignation. Greene said he discussed the resignation in executive session at the end of the regular Board meeting on Tuesday, November 16. The Board accepted the resignation immediately following the executive session. It will be effective as of November 30 or possibly earlier if the Board comes up with a replacement before then.
Greene and Board Member Beverly Stewart will work together to find a qualified person that they can recommend to the Board to appoint as a replacement to fill the vacancy until the Annual Meeting in May, at which time an election would be held. The Board also has the option of holding a special election within 90 days,
in which case the person elected would serve the remainder of Greene’s term which expires June 30, 2012.
Greene said that his brother Carl is planning to pursue a career as a pastor and will return to school in January for that purpose. This means that John will have to assume some of Carl’s responsibilities at Mapledale Farm in Berlin. Greene said he felt that the District at this time needs someone on the Board that has more time to devote to the task.
As he prepares to depart from the Board, Greene believes that the lead problem at Berlin Elementary School is being handled responsibly by the Board and by Interim Superintendent Brian Howard. He said Howard was doing a good job of pulling in experts to give the Board guidance and the Board has been willing to accept their recommendations. “We are moving in a good direction,” he said.