Adnams steps down as Springfield School Board chairman

The chairman of the Springfield School Board announced his resignation this week during a School Board meeting.
http://rutlandherald.com/article/20130809/NEWS02/708099928

Published August 9, 2013 in the Rutland Herald Adnams steps down as Springfield School Board chairman By Christian Avard Staff Writer SPRINGFIELD — The chairman of the Springfield School Board announced his resignation this week during a School Board meeting. Scott Adnams is moving with his family to New Braunfels, Texas, and he will be stepping down as chairman in late September. Adnams said he will pursue new business ventures. He also said he leaves behind a much different school district than when he joined the board five years ago. The announcement was emotional for Adnams who said he enjoyed his time on the School Board. Zach McLaughlin, superintendent of Schools, said Thursday administrators, staff and other board members were saddened to see him leave. “Scott has been invaluable to me. He’s been a tireless worker for the district. He’s going to leave a very large hole on the board and I think the passion that he has for this district really came out at the board meeting,” McLaughlin said. School Board member Jeanice Garfield was equally saddened to see Adnams go. “(Scott) was extremely well-organized and very knowledgeable about processes. He was a powerful leader,” Garfield said. Adnams, who was reached by phone Thursday, said leaving Springfield will be difficult but his family is looking forward to a new beginning. “This was a tough decision and it was a family decision as well,” Adnams said. “I became a board member because I had kids in the school district and I wanted to make sure we were doing the best to help all of our kids with education.” Adnams was elected to the School Board in 2008 and the following year board members selected him to become chairman. Prior to joining the board, he served on the building committee, an ad hoc group that guided construction efforts at Elm Hill Primary and Union Street Elementary schools. The renovations at both schools were accomplishments that Adnams was proud of, but the school district also turned itself around academically. “We’ve seen increases in our graduation rates. Our test scores are where we’d like to see them and one of the biggest changes I’ve seen is our students and teachers are excited. There is a sense of pride in our schools now,” Adnams said. The School Board will elect a new chairman in October, according to McLaughlin. Adnams is also a volunteer firefighter with the Springfield Fire Department, a state electrical inspector and a former state fire investigator.