Union Board of Ed Member Mary Lynn Williams Resigns

UNION, NJ – Union School Board member Mary Lynn Williams will be stepping down from her role on the Board of Education as of Sept. 20, Board President Chastity Santana announced at the Sept. 17 Board of Education meeting.

“The last eight years have been absolutely amazing,” said Williams. “I never imagined in my entire life that I would be sitting on a board of education and working on behalf of our children.” Williams said her first few years on the Board were not easy, but “this is the best Board we have had – the community being engaged and people being on the Board actually working together. Even if we don’t agree, we’re not nasty, we’re not mean, we don’t call each other names. I’m happy that we are here now. I am going to miss you all alot. It’s been an honor serving on this Board.”

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Williams has served on the Board for eight years, leaving one year prior to the end of her third term. She did not specify the reason for her resignation.

“From the bottom of my heart, I just want to say thank you,” said Superintendent Dr. Gerry Benaquista. “It’s been many years that we’ve been up here together and I’ve always felt that you’ve been someone who supports this district and fought in the best interest of the district for things you know will be good for our students. I’m going to miss you and I wish you the best.”

“Many, many times we were on the opposite site of opinions, but over and over again I think we taught each other,” said Santana. “I thank you for making me level up consistently, get out here, practice, and do it right, and work together no matter what is on the other side.  I will miss you.  Thank you for your years of dedication.”

“Thank you, Mary Lynn, for the things you taught me as a new board member,” said Kimberly Scott-Hayden. “Thank you for the selfless time you have given to this community and to this Board as a whole. I do appreciate everything you brought to the table. You will be missed.”

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“I appreciate your compassion,” said Board member Elsie Conteh-Mackey. “ I appreciate you not judging me and understanding where I was coming from. Thank you for the years. It’s not easy, but we understand we’re all in it for the collective greater good. Thank you for all of those years; you did a lot.”

“I want to thank you, Ms. Williams, for your mentorship, your thoughtful contributions, but more importantly, your leadership,” said Michael Cohan. “I recall your time as board president, and I look at it as a time of stability and calm. I think that’s something we all benefitted from. Thank you for your service.”

“I would like to thank Ms. Williams for her time on this Board and the commitment she made,” Ronnie McDowell. “I know that it is a sacrifice. Thank you for your time, your commitment, and everything you’ve done for our Board and for our children. It’s been an honor.”

“You’re going to be sorely missed,” said Greg Nasta. “You were definitely one of the people I was most excited to work with when I first came onto the Board. You were one of the elder statesmen; you’re really going to be missed. I wish you the best of luck moving forward.”

“I want to thank Ms. Williams for her years of dedication, hard work and love for our district,” said Dicxiana Carbonell , reading a message from absent board member Nancy Minneci .  “You were the best running mate, and board member, and friend.  We definitely complemented each other and worked as a team from day one.  I will miss you.  I wish you the very best, but I know we have many more years to enjoy this friendship.”

Speaking for herself, Carbonell said, “You were my teacher. You became my friend, my colleague. I am very, very grateful to you.  The experience and wisdom, and care you showed me is something that I will always treasure.”

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