‘Town Clerk Katherine Ingram 20 Williams Street Longmeadow, MA 01106 January 23, 2019 | set out in 2017 to serve on the School Committee after a dozen years serving in volunteer ’ students of Longmeadow. | stand behind all the decisions | ‘School Committee is no longer being given the st interests of the students. At this time, itis in spaces where my work is beneficial, | Baron, submit my resignation from ‘school district. Itis my hope that emade,January 23, 2019 Town Clerk Katherine Ingram: 20 Williams Street Longmeadow, MA 01106 This letter serves as notice of my resignation from the Longmeadow School Committee, effective immediately. | have been privileged to work with some incredibly passionate and committed people during my time on the board, Although | recognize that | was elected to serve on the School Committee, I never viewed the role as political in nature. | focused my judgment and decision making on the students and what | believed, to be in the best interests of the district, | am disheartened and discouraged by the vitriol and false narratives that have been spread by ‘some, as Well as the discord and fracture within the community and the board itself, itis clear ‘that this division will not end without significant cost to the town - be it time, resources or ‘community morale - of which I cannot be a part. ‘The continued division has gotten in the way of the most important responsibility of the district - the students, | am hopeful that this resignation will help to refocus the attention back to students and the continuous improvement of the district. Sincerely, Kerrin MortJanuary 23, 2019 Please accept this as notice of my resignation as school committee member of the Longmeadow Public Schools, effective immediately. It has been an honor to have served in this capacity since being elected in June, 2017. | setflessly undertook this role with enthusiasm and honest intentions. My goal was to support ‘the great work of the district, evaluate needs, and objectively address areas for growth and improvement. Every decision was informed by fact and acted upon in good faith, in the best interest of the district |1am very disillusioned and discouraged by the deliberate pollticization of education that has befallen this town, which includes calculated mischaracterizations, misrepresentation of information and false narratives. The dally vitriol has created an unhealthy community environment of hostility and intimidation which deters from the work that needs to get done and Precludes me from adequately performing such duties. The ensuing division is a tragic disservice to the children of Longmeadow and the beauty of our community, am proud to have introduced new district initiatives, guided school policy and supported district ‘goals, all of which, will improve the educational experience and well being of our students. | am Privileged to have collaborated with many intelligent, dedicated and caring individuals. Sincerely, Mleuetathstern Melanie Rothstein