Trenton School Board Member Explains Her Decision to Resign

Trustee Marie Conflitti will no longer be a member of the Trenton Public Schools Board of Education as of Nov. 1, after her decision to resign Monday.

Conflitti presented a letter of resignation at a recent board of education meeting. Below is an excerpt from the letter:

"Please accept my resignation form the Trenton Board of Education effective November 1, 2012. It has been a pleasure to serve on a board that holds true to high standards and works diligently to make decisions based on the well-being of children first. I am thankful to work with such fine people and appreciate the time and dedication of everyone within the district. Trenton will always he home to Randy and me but for the next phase of our journey, we will be moving from the city and I am unable to complete my term."

Trenton-Grosse Ile Patch editor Nate Stemen caught up with Conflitti following Monday's meeting and asked her questions about her decision to resign. The following are the questions followed by Conflitti's responses:

Why have you decided to step down as Trenton Board of Education Trustee?

"My husband and I bought a house outside the city, so I have to leave my seat reluctantly and unfortunately, but I hope to continue to work with the Trenton Educational Foundation because it is still a pet project and I like being involved there."

Will you be pursuing a spot on the school board in the city you're moving to?

"Not at this time."

What are you going to do with all of your spare time?

"I'm not going to make any plans right now. My husband has asked me to just take some time off.

"There's a lot of things I've wanted to pursue a little bit deeper and maybe I'll look there, but I really enjoy community service. It's one of the most rewarding things that I've done."

What has been your biggest achievement?

"I really have enjoyed the whole process of Dr. (Larry) Leapley coming in (for the superintendent internship program), and how well the board worked together to see that come to fruition. We were all on the same page. We were very supportive.

"It was one of those times when we agreed to disagree on some of the details, but I feel that our board is very strong and it was one of those things that we all believed in whole-heatedly and that really makes a difference when you're trying to achieve things.

"I thought that it was something really great to be a part of."

Is there anything, a project perhaps, you are leaving behind that you will miss or regret not finishing?

"Just the people -- the friends that I've made on the board and in the district. I have grand-kids in the district. I know a lot of people because I grew up here and went to Trenton High School.

"(I'll miss) the community involvement."