It was a bittersweet moment for Joyce Scott, whose term on the Lawrence Township Public Schools Board of Education came to a close at its last meeting of the year.
Scott, who did not seek re-election for a third, three-year term, was feted by her school board colleagues as a mentor and a friend at the school board meeting on Dec. 8.
Superintendent of Schools Ross Kasun was the first one to say Scott will be missed. Kasun said he valued her expertise and her friendship, as well as the time that she put into her work on the school board.
Scott served on several committees, including the Finance & Facilities, Community Relations & Legislative Affairs and Equity committees. She has been the school board’s liaison to the Mercer County Technical Schools.
“Joyce was truly a proponent of the school community. I feel that I am a better superintendent for crossing paths with her,” Kasun said.
School board President Kevin Van Hise said that when Scott was elected to the school board six years ago, he gained a colleague.
“It has been an honor to serve with you and to laugh with you. We gritted out teeth, rolled up our sleeves and did a lot of problem solving,” Van Hise said. “People didn’t get a chance to ‘visually’ see all the contributions you made to this board. We’re not going to miss you, because we’re not going to let you go.”
School board member Patricia Farmer thanked Scott for her mentorship and friendship. She said she has known Scott for many years.
Farmer said she appreciated and valued Scott’s candid and direct communication. She said she learned much from Scott, and that she will still be reaching out to Scott.
“Thank you so much for all that you have done for the students of Lawrence Township. You are a true treasure,” Farmer told Scott.
Scott, in turn, thanked the school board and the students.
Then, in her last official act as a school board member, Scott made a motion to adjourn the school board meeting.