Gardner Says Goodbye To School Committee

FOXBOROUGH, MA — The next time the Foxborough School Committee meets, a long-time member of the board will be absent for the first time in nearly a decade.

Monday was the last school committee meeting for Chairperson Bruce Gardner, who decided not to seek re-election this year. Gardner leaves after nine years, including many as the chair.

"So many things come to mind when I think of all you’ve given," Superintendent Amy Berdos said. "Your business background in educational technology, talking about challenging our thinking and asking questions, you have definitely done that."

Gardner first ran for school committee in 2009 at the behest of fellow committee member Beverly Lord, who said she wouldn't leave him alone until he said yes. She said that she has heard some of the nicest compliments around town about Gardner following his announcement to not run four a fourth term.

"People have said to me in numerous different ways ‘but he does such a good job, I am shocked he is not running.' The way you can synthesize an entire meeting in a few words is a marvel, I will miss that," Lord said.

Committee member Marilyn Weiss said she was impressed about the way he was always able to diplomatically condense an issue that may have gone off course or went in varying directions.

An emotional Gardner thanked everyone and said he's comfortable leaving because he knows Berdos, who has been the superintendent since January, is doing a great job and he knows the school committee will do a great job as well.

"It’s a little bittersweet, it’s a stage of life you move on I’m very happy to have this opportunity and have great friends who have supported me," Gardner said. "This is the way to go out for sure, don’t wait for an election to kick you out. I am blown away by all the comments, I am going to miss this."

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