WEST NEW YORK — Adrienne Sires, who served as West New York school board president since May, has tendered her resignation, citing personal obligations.
Sires had served in the West New York school district as teacher and assistant superintendent prior to her being appointed to the board. She would not have been up to run for reelection until her term expired in 2016.
The resignation comes in a heavily political climate after voters approved a referendum in November that would allow for an elected school board. Two elections are scheduled. The first will be in January and will elect two new members, increasing the current board of seven to nine. The second election will be held in April and three seats will be up for election.
In the middle of a firestorm, Sires’ resignation seemed like a surprise, but she said in an interview this past weekend that people she worked with knew she was contemplating the move.
“My daughter, who lives in California, gave birth to a baby boy,” she said. “I have only one child and this will likely be my only grand child. I will be going to California to see my grandson. I want to spend more time with him.”
She said she has already missed on regular meeting because of charity commitments in Florida, and will miss the upcoming meeting because of a trip to California.
“I don’t think it is right my being on the board as a trustee if I can’t commit myself to it,” she said. “My priorities have changed.”
The resignation takes effect immediately, and the board will vote on a new school board president at its meeting on Dec. 4.
Sires said she not think it was a big deal, and certainly was not a surprise to the school board attorney or other board members. But the timing of the resignation raised speculation in the highly charged political atmosphere as forces opposed to Mayor Felix Roque hope to take control of the school board. – By Al Sullivan
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