Sarah Donsbach’s final regular school board meeting is December 11 as her 4 -year board term comes to an end.  She chose not to seek re-election.  Wednesday night’s board meeting was not her last, but she chose to speak out on her board experience then.

“Our community, state and country have dramatically changed in the last 4 years and this past election cycle proved to be one of the worst,” said Ms. Donsbach.  “Vitriol and deeply personal attacks we wage against each other online, and most recently, in an effort to win elections, have only continued to pollute and divide our community and district.  Frankly, we are allowing it to destroy our civility.”

She then turned to comment on some of her fellow board members.

“The behavior of this board and its members have engaged in the last 4 years cannot be the example we set for our youth,” Donsbach said.  “This board cannot continue to show our students that partisanship and promises to outside groups are more valuable than statesmanship, honesty and respect.”

She implored her fellow board members, all returning in January except for Donsbach, to do the work necessary to earn back trust from the stakeholders, students and staff.

The late Senator Richard Lugar and President George H.W.Bush were quoted on how public service is done.

Sarah Donsback ended her statement with this.

“Stop the games, stop the drama, stop the politics and focus on the needs of the students.”