In the final year of her first term on the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board, Sarah Donsbach announced Monday she will not not be a candidate for another term on the board representing Delaware Township.

In a statement, she says in some ways she struggled with this decision, in other ways it was not a struggle.

“The only thing I struggle with is the disappointment that so many hours of my time spent serving on this board were wasted on responding to issues and problems created by adults instead of focusing on what matters most: the students and cultivating innovative programs and courses to address their needs,” said Donsbach.

She also pointed to the state of political discourse at all levels of government.

“The venom, vitriol and deeply personal attacks we are willing to wage against each other online and more specifically to win elections are polluting our future and destroying our civility, ” Donsbach said. “These cannot be the lessons we teach our youth. This cannot be the legacy we create.”

Donsbach encourages those running for local school board to propose ways to make the school district better, rather than “pointing to perceived flaws in your opponent.”

She praised the HSE Schools teaching staff and thanked her family for their support during her term on the board.

“Hamilton Southeastern Schools is a remarkable district because of its remarkable teachers, students and families and it has been an honor to serve this community,” Donsbac said as she ended her statement .