School Board Resignation In Upper Dublin Creates Vacancy

UPPER DUBLIN, PA — A recent resignation on the Upper Dublin School Board has created a vacancy that the suburban district hopes to soon fill.

School Board Member Michael Henderson submitted his resignation effective Aug. 31, ending two-and-a-half years of "excellent service" on the nine-member board of school directors, according to a statement from Board President Darlene Davis.

The board is now looking to appoint a community member to fill out the rest of Henderson's term, which runs through December 2023.

"We welcome qualified community members to apply for the vacant Board seat, and we look forward to meeting interested candidates," Davis said in her statement.

Anyone interested in applying for the position can visit here to learn more information.

According to his bio on the school district website, Henderson, who works as director of engineering for the Triumph Group aerospace firm in North Wales, moved into the Upper Dublin community in the summer of 2007.

He and his wife, Cathy, have three children, all of whom have attended Upper Dublin schools.

Henderson is a graduate of West Point Military Academy who taught history there for three years.

After his service in the United States Army, Henderson worked in leadership positions in both the aerospace and defense industries, his bio states, as well as in the packaging industry.

During the school board's meeting on Monday, fellow board members said they were sorry to see Henderson leave after only two-and-a-half years of service.

"It's a sad time to know that you will not continue on the board. Your insights, your perspectives were extremely, extremely helpful for the entire board," longtime school board member Art Levinowitz said at the meeting. "Best of luck and I know we will remain friends for many, many years."

Henderson read a statement during the meeting saying that his work life would make continuing on with the board too difficult.

He said he got a promotion from his employer that would necessitate travel three out of four weeks per month, with one week of the month outside of the United States.

"Given this level of physical absence I will be unable to fulfill my school board director responsibilities in a manner that our students, teachers, administrators and parents deserve," Henderson stated.

Henderson called his time of service on the board "a blessing for myself and my family."

He thanked his fellow school board directors, past and present, who he called "tireless public servants whose sole focus is bringing the highest quality education to all of our Upper Dublin Students."

He called the administrators and teachers in Upper Dublin "superb," and thanked the students who endured a pandemic, and terrible tornado, with "grace and positivity."