A member of the Omaha Public Schools board is giving up her seat.
Yolanda Williams submitted her letter of resignation to the board before Monday's meeting. Williams says she's resigning because at the start of the new year she will be moving outside the boundaries of sub-district 1. Williams decided to resign now so the board can find someone to replace her possibly before the board's first meeting in January.
Williams' resignation takes effect immediately after Monday's board meeting. She has served on the OPS board for four years.
Williams' resignation letter reads as follows:
Dear President Merica and Superintendent Evans:
For the past 1,639 days, I have served the constituents of sub-district 1, students and staff and the community with much dedication, passion and great pride. It has been a life changing-experience and has helped me grow in many areas of my life both, personally and professionally.
At the start of the new year, I will be moving outside of the boundary lines of sub-district 1. As a result, it is with deep regret that I inform you that I must officially resign from my seat as an OPS Board of Education member, effective at adjournment of this evening's meeting. I am informing the Board at this time because it will be crucial that current board leadership has time to plan and prepare to give interested constituents time to apply and hopefully be seated prior to the first meeting in January.
I want to thank my constituents for putting your faith in me these past four years and 7 months; it has truly been my privilege and honor to have represented you with due diligence and service since I began this role. I would also like to thank my employer, Partnership for Kids, for generously allowing me the time necessary to serve our community through the Board of Education. It is now time for one of you to represent the families, students and staff of this great community and I know someone with great moral fiber and ethical values will step up to this challenge.
The OPS staff (past and present) will always have a special place in my heart and indeed will always be a part of my extended family. I will continue to support OPS and public schools as I know firsthand the value the mission brings to our students inside the district and across Nebraska.
Finally, I want to acknowledge my three children who have sacrificed everything so that I could serve our community. It is now time for you to have the full support of the one parent in your lives during your own challenging life transitions. Thank you for your patience through all the sacrifices required for me to help serve as a voice and advocate for 52,000 students-patience through criticism, financial burdens, and balancing my duty as a volunteer on this board, as well as work/life, and all the other things that took priority over our family.
Respectfully,
Yolanda R. Williams
OPS Board of Education Sub #1
