Nelsen bids farewell to Reynolds School Board

Former chairman cites family reasons for his resignation

By Rob Cullivan

The Gresham Outlook, Oct 8, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (1 Reader comment)

John Nelsen

file photo / Gresham Outlook

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John Nelsen, who as chairman steered the Reynolds School District Board through the controversial resignation of one superintendent and the hiring of another during a major financial crisis, has resigned his position, citing family reasons.

“Life changing tragedy has hit my family, and it is time that I re-focus on being a dad and husband,” he said. Nelsen reported a family member was recently injured in an auto accident and needs extensive care.

Nelsen officially announced his decision to resign position 6 at an Oct. 8 board meeting at Fairview City Hall.

He also said his resignation had nothing to do with board politics, and that he “fully supports” Chairwoman Theresa Delaney-Davis as well as Superintendent Robert Fisher.

The district board will vote for a new board member to complete Nelsen’s term, which ends in June 2010, Davis said. Applications for the position will be posted online at reynolds.k12.or.us “as soon as possible,” she added.

Candidates must be at least 18 years old and have lived in the district for at least a year.

One definite candidate: Clifford Hirsch, who lost the position 4 race to Joe Teeny earlier this year.

An active school parent at Sweetbriar Elementary, as well as Walt Morey Middle School, Hirsch ran a campaign stressing grassroots involvement to improve the district, and said many parents have shared their concerns with him about the district in the months since the election.

“I think we still need additional leadership,” Hirsch said at the Oct. 8 meeting. “There are parts of our community that don’t feel represented. A lot of people feel disconnected from our district right now and feel that they don’t have a voice.”

‘Two brains’

Davis, who succeeded Nelsen as board chair, praised him for his stewardship.

“I think we just lost two brains,” she told the meeting participants, after Nelsen left to a standing ovation.

“I think he spent heroic amounts of time communicating with the public, students, parents and press to ensure there was complete transparency, accountability and justice,” she added later.

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