Topsham representative resigns from SAD 75 board

TOPSHAM — The Board of Selectmen Thursday is expected to accept the resignation of Matthew Drewette-Card from the School Administrative District 75 Board of Directors.

The Anthony Avenue resident’s departure from the School Board, effective July 1, will be the third resignation from the panel this year.

Longtime Harpswell members Joanne Rogers and David Johnson left Feb. 8, saying in a statement they felt they “no longer have the trust of the Board and therefore should not continue to serve.”

Discord on the board led the panel to remove Kim Totten of Bowdoin as its chairwoman.

But Drewette-Card, in his April 19 resignation letter, said his departure was “not related to any of the tumultuous or challenging events that have affected the School Board over the last months.”

Drewette-Card said he contemplated stepping down since last fall, “and have decided that I cannot continue to give the Board, district, students and educators the time, focus, attention and commitment they deserve due to my many personal, family, and professional commitments and obligations.”

He added he has “deeply valued” his time on the board, and is appreciative of his fellow board members, SAD 75 educators, and the constituents who elected him to the panel in 2014 and 2017.

When asked if he wished to elaborate on his reasons for leaving the board, Drewette-Card said his letter said it all.

Drewette-Card’s term expires in November 2020. The Board of Selectmen can only appoint a resident to fill the seat from July through this November, and a date has yet to be set for that appointment to be made.

Voters this November will elect a permanent replacement to serve the final year of the term, according to Town Clerk Linda Dumont. The town will begin seeking nominations July 29.

School Board Chairman Tyler Washburn on Monday praised Drewette-Card’s work as chairman of the Curriculum Instruction Assessment Committee, and vice chairman of the superintendent search group.

“I’ve seen firsthand Matt’s dedication to the students and staff of our communities,” Washburn noted. “And while the board wishes Matt well in his next adventure, we know that he will continue to be engaged in the process wearing his favorite hat, as a proud dad, going forward.”