Schools

DelGuidice Resigns from Seaford School Board

Trustee submits resignation at beginning of Thursday's reorganization meeting citing displeasure with selection of board president.

John DelGuidice abruptly ended his four years of serving on the Seaford Board of Education when he submitted a resignation at the beginning of Thursday night’s reorganization meeting.

Moments after Seaford Board of Education president Brian Fagan was re-elected to continue in his leadership position by a 3-2 vote, DelGuidice expressed his displeasure with the decision. DelGuidice got up from his board seat and handed a copy of a resignation letter stating 10 reasons why he was opposed to Fagan being president to district clerk Carmen Ouelllette before sitting down in the audience. When asked by Seaford Superintendent Brian Conboy if he was resigning, DelGuidice stated yes.

“I refuse to be a member of a board where the president can not be trusted nor can I accept the notion that other board members would tolerate this,” said DelGuidice prior to submitting his resignation.

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DelGuidice had served on the Seaford Board of Education since first being elected in 2007. The sudden resignation leaves the school board with four trustees and a replacement for DelGuidice will need to be determined in the next 90 days, according to Conboy. The replacement could be determined in a special election or the school board could appoint someone to fill seat, Conboy said.

Despite the sharp criticism that DelGuidice directed his way, Fagan thanked his former colleague for the service he gave to the board at the end of Thursday night’s meeting held in the Band Room.

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“There were some things we agreed on and some things we didn’t agree on but I think one thing we both agreed on is that we are all going the same path, which is for the kids,” said Fagan.

Other school board members also thanked DelGuidice for the passion he brought to the district despite not always being on the same side of the issues with him.

“Thank you for your four years of service and volunteerism to Seaford,” said Richard DiBlasio, who was re-elected school board vice president during Thursday’s meeting. “We had some good accomplishments and it was a pleasure working with you.”

“You certainly are an advocate for children in the community,” said Trustee Michael Sapraicone. “This is a sad way for this to end.”

“I’m sorry that you decided to leave the board tonight John but the four years that you were on the board we accomplished a great deal,” said Conboy in his closing remarks at the end of the meeting.

Former Seaford school board member Linda Hurley, who DelGuidice edged out by 19 votes during last year’s at-large election for the second of two available seats that were up for grabs, was also complimentary of the now former trustee in her public comments during the meeting.

“We didn’t always agree on everything but his opinion always mattered,” said Hurley. “He stuck to his beliefs and I’m really sorry to see him leave in this manner.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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