School Board member, Sullivan, resigns

PALMER — After less than a year on the school board, Brian Sullivan announced his resignation at Wednesday’s meeting.

Reached Friday, Sullivan, of Palmer, said his decision to resign had little to do with the board or the people on it. Rather, he said, it was a professional decision he felt compelled to make.

“It’s a good group. I’m sorry to not be on there anymore.”

Sullivan is on active duty with the Army, stationed at Fort Richardson. Since his election he’s been promoted and his duties have been taking up more of his time.

“The reality is I was a captain and I had a lot more time, with my previous job to devote to that,” Sullivan said. “I’m now a major and I’m working with four military police companies that are deploying.”

His job, he said, has left him showing up to meetings later and later. The meeting before last, he said, he had to miss because of his job.

“When I was not at the board meeting last week I felt very guilty,” he said Friday.

Add to that his expectation that he will soon be stationed somewhere other than Palmer and it didn’t seem to him like he could finish out his term on the board.

He said he’ll likely make another run for the board or some other office once he’s finished with the military. He’s been in politics awhile, having previously served two terms in the Washington state House of Representatives.

“I will be back when I’m retired or not doing operational military things,” he said.

In a press release on Sullivan’s resignation, board president Jim Colver spoke highly him.

“We certainly will miss the professionalism that Brian brought to the School Board. His previous experience as an elected official and as a lawyer made him an excellent advocate for kids,” Colver said.

The vacancy has to be filled within 30 days by board appointment, school district spokeswoman Catherine Esary said.

Anyone who wants the seat should submit a letter of intent outlining how they meet the legal requirements for board service as well as a statement expressing his interest in serving and a resume.

The board has set a special meeting for April 29 at 6 p.m. at Palmer High School to select a replacement.

Contact Andrew Wellner at andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com or 352-2270.