BUCKLAND — Citing health issues, Mohawk Trail Regional School Committee Chairman Kirby “Lark” Thwing of Hawley has resigned, after serving on the school committee for at least 10 years.
His resignation will take effect Wednesday, which is the next meeting date for the Mohawk Trail Regional School Committee.
In his resignation letter to the Hawley Board of Selectmen, Thwing wrote that he enjoyed his years on the school committee and was proud to be a member of “one of the highest functioning school committees the Massachusetts Association of School Committees has met.
“I have seen a budgeting process that has included much more community involvement, a committee that has adopted the digital age in all its dealings and has adopted a rigorous monthly professional development of its members. I have seen revisions to the (Mohawk) regional agreement and hopefully will see Rowe back in the MTRSD,” he said.
Thwing also praised the work of the BEST (Building Education Sustainability and Trust) Committee, under the leadership of Vice-Chair Martha Thurber of Buckland. “I have seen a commitment by the district, the committee and the community for the need for a leaner structure that improves the educational outcomes of its students and reduces the financial strains on the taxpayers.”
The 17-member school board lost three members during the past two months. Educator Ken Rocke of Heath resigned as a school committee member Nov. 30, and Buckland committee member Glenn Cardinal died in early December.