The District 153 school community welcomed new board member Becky Popelka on Monday, May 5, as it said good-bye to Shelly Marks, its longest-serving member.
With the April 1 election results certified, Marks conducted a reorganization meeting for the board. She led incumbents Broderick Booth and Christine Scully and new member Popelka as they took their oaths of office. The crowd of about 75 people gave them a round of applause.
Board members then selected Alex Bosche as the next board president, Booth as vice president, and Ron Zinnerman as secretary. Mary Kay Dunne, personnel manager for the district, will serve as recording secretary.
For Marks, it was her last official meeting as a school board member. She has served the district for 33 years, 22 of those as board president.
“My hope has always been to leave our corner of the world a better place, which will leave the world a better place because we are sending caring students, who know how to learn and think critically, into the world,” she told her fellow board members, District 153 staff members and the many friends who came to wish her well.
“I’ve always known my work here will never be complete. It’s now someone else’s to continue,” Marks said. She thanked her fellow board members, both past and present, who worked to improve District 153. “We have made difficult, sometimes heart-wrenching decisions and have always cared deeply about getting it right.”
She pointed out that school board members are neighbors volunteering to work on behalf of taxpayers, students and staff “to balance learning, finances and whatever this crazy world throws at us.”
She told the audience that for all the meetings she’s sat through in the past three-plus decades, board discussions were always thoughtful, cordial and meaningful, “and I’ve learned so much from each person that I’ve served with. We have laughed together and cried together, and it has been a privilege to share this experience with you.”
The district had four superintendents over the 33 years Marks was on the board –James Mahan, Barbara Ramsey, Dale Mitchell and Scott McAlister. She gave special recognition to Mitchell and McAlister who were superintendents when she was board president. “Their leadership has been inspiring and thoughtful. They led us through challenges with grace and kindness.”
Marks thanked the staff “for making me look really, really good. I hope that each of you know that I have always been your biggest cheerleader. The length you are willing to go to for your students’ success inspired me. The respect and love you have for your colleagues make the schools better every day.”
And, she thanked her family for supporting her in her role as board member. Her sons are now adults, but when Marks started on the board Aaron was in first grade and Jeffrey was in preschool. Her husband, Steve Marks, has been by her side making it possible for her to take on the sometimes difficult, stressful role for so long, she said.
Marks received a standing ovation from those in the room at James Hart School.
