The minutes of the April 11 school board meeting in the Kennett Consolidated School District will show that the board accepted the resignation of Douglas B. Stirling, and that the resignation was effective at the conclusion of the meeting.

The reality, however, is that district officials and school board members will need some time to accept that Stirling is no longer representing Kennett Square Borough on the board.

Stirling and his family are moving outside the school district's boundaries so he is no longer eligible to complete the rest of his term. He served for more than eight years on the school board, including two years as the school board president, and his resignation letter illustrated how important it was to him that he got to serve the school district.

“I can think of no other higher calling for a non-district employee than to serve as a member of this distinguished board,” Stirling wrote. “I have enjoyed the privilege of serving the residents of the Borough of Kennett Square for more than eight years in this capacity. This opportunity has given me a unique perspective on public education governance and administration.”

Stirling graduated from Kennett High School in 1977, and he has been a longtime public servant, focusing his energies on the Kennett Square area. He is moving to the Oxford area—what he referred to as “Oxford Hornet territory,” but pledged to “always bleed royal blue and white,” Kennett's school colors.

He expressed his gratitude for his colleagues on the school board, and commended the administration and school faculty.

“The residents of the Kennett School District should be very proud of the representation they receive by their respective board members,” Stirling wrote. “ Each board member is uniquely qualified and personally invested in making the Kennett Consolidated School District the premier district in Pennsylvania. I thank each of you for your support, encouragement, and friendship.

I am also proud of our administrative team for their hard work and dedication as well as the faculty, support staff, parents, and volunteers. The reason Kennett is the best school district in the region is due to the combined efforts of these cohorts. I know I leave the district in very good hands.”

The board is now accepting applications from people who are interested in filling the vacancy in Region A, which includes Kennett Square Borough. The district will accept applications until noon on Wednesday, April 27. Interviews with the candidates are planned for public meetings on Monday, May 2 at 6 p.m. and, if necessary, on Monday, May 9 prior to the regularly scheduled school board meeting. The school board expects to appoint a new board member at the meeting on Monday, May 9.