Meeting Surprise: John Tavis Resigns From BOE

In a surprise development at Tuesday’s school board budget meeting, recently elected school board member John Tavis announced his intention to resign his seat after serving just three months of a three-year term.

Tavis, who in November was elected in an uncontested race to a three-year term, will quit the board officially when he delivers a letter to Business Administrator Brian Smyth -- an action he said would be completed within a week.

Tavis said he simply did not have the time to dedicate to the position that he feels it deserves. Tuesday’s meeting will be his last, Tavis said in an interview following the meeting.

In a short prepared speech Tavis thanked the board members for their support during his 23 months on the 9-member panel. Tavis was first elected to a one-year unexpired term in 2011.

“Unless you’re a board member, you do not realize how much work is involved,’’ Tavis said. “They do not do it for the money, because there is none. They do not do it for the praise, as that is very rare.”

Tavis was praised by his fellow board members.

“John you have been an absolute pleasure to work with,’’ board President Eva Applegate said.

“I’m heartbroken,” board member Robin Cervantes, a former election running mate, said. “You are still quite the teacher who has taught me for the last two years. Every question I’ve ever asked, you’ve always had an answer and you’ve always done it with kindness and compassion. I thank you again for everything, John. It’s been an amazing two years.”

Tavis was first elected to the board in April 2011 -- a year when no incumbent won re-election to the Board of Education following the disclosure in Wall Patch that an incumbent member heading up the finance committee was under a lifetime federal ban from having dealings with credit unions.

Tavis, – the third president of that year.

Tavis' short speech at the end of the school board's meeting Tuesday:

“I just wanted the public to know that I sent an email to the board members, informing them I will be resigning my position on the board. More importantly, I let them know that it has been my honor and pleasure to work with them. Unless you’re a board member, you do not realize how much work is involved. They do not do it for the money, because there is none. They do not do it for the praise, as that is very rare. They do it for the students and their community. I know how seriously they take their responsibility. That is why I’m confident, moving forward, they, and in turn the school system will succeed. But I wanted to thank everyone for the opportunity that I’ve had to serve on the board. Thank you.”