Youngstown school board member resigns after more than five years

YOUNGSTOWN — City board of education member Shelley Murray has resigned, effective today.

Murray made a surprise announcement of her plans to step down in the midst of her second term at the end of Tuesday’s school board meeting.

She’s served on the board for 51‚Ñ2 years and said that, with her husband’s return six months ago from a one-year military tour in Iraq, her family priorities have changed.

After careful deliberation and much prayer, she decided to resign, she said, adding that she hoped her efforts on the board helped make the city schools a better place for children.

It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve the children and the district, Murray said.

The school board voted to accept her resignation and approved a resolution of appreciation for her years of service.

Anthony Catale, board president, said the board will name an interim successor to her post as soon as possible, but he was uncertain as to how long that appointment might last.

By state law, the board has 30 days to name a successor.

However, the appointee will serve only until the next general election, he said, adding that the remaining 21‚Ñ2 years in Murray’s term might be on the ballot as early as November.

It’s an issue that will require some quick research to determine how that process will be handled, he said.