Joseph Goetz and Francoise Sullivan hold up a pair of shadowboxes they received to commemorate their time on the Kent County Board of Education. From left are student board member Alden Swanson, Goetz, board members Frank Rhodes and Trish McGee, Sullivan, board member Aretha Dorsey and Superintendent Dr. Mary Boswell-McComas.
ROCK HALL — Kent County Board of Education members Joseph Goetz and Francoise Sullivan attended their last scheduled meeting Monday evening, Dec. 9.
The occasion was marked by a celebration of their service and dedication to Kent County Public Schools, its staff, students and families.
“As everyone knows we have two board members who are moving on to new chapters,” Superintendent Dr. Mary Boswell-McComas said. “And so, we want to acknowledge the difference that they made.”
Joseph Goetz holds up a shadowbox presented to him by Superintendent Dr. Mary Boswell-McComas at his last scheduled meeting as president of the Kent County Board of Education.
Goetz departs the board after serving two four-year terms. He has been the board president since 2019. Goetz joined the board as a KCPS parent; his children have since graduated.
Sullivan was elected in 2020 and has served as vice president since 2022. Sullivan is the parent of two current KCPS students.
“As I sit here before you tonight, I feel a profound sense of gratitude and reflection after eight years of service as a member of the Board of Education,” Goetz said. “The time has come for me to embrace a new chapter in my life.”
Goetz and Sullivan both brought their respective parent perspectives to board deliberations, as well as their professional expertise.
“My philosophy as a Board of Education member has always been that it's not about me or what I want,” Sullivan said. “It is about making decisions that are in the best interest of our students in schools.”
Superintendent Dr. Mary Boswell-McComas presents outgoing Kent County Board of Education Vice President Francoise Sullivan with a shadowbox highlighting her dedication to the school system.
At the Dec. 9 meeting, Goetz and Sullivan highlighted the work of present and past board members and the two superintendents with whom they collaborated, first Dr. Karen Couch, now retired, and Dr. McComas, who took the helm this summer.
To commemorate their time as board members, Dr. McComas presented Goetz and Sullivan with wooden shadowbox artwork created by Director of Technology William Poore.
The designs were crafted out of walnut with an xTool Laser Cutter and the mounting board was signed by KCPS team members.
During the dec. 9 meeting, student board member Alden Swanson described how Goetz and Sullivan inspired and supported her.
“I will miss both of you very much and I’d like to thank both of you for everything you have done for me and this board,” Swanson said.
Board members Aretha Dorsey, Trish McGee and Frank Rhodes highlighted the important role Goetz and Sullivan played as school board members and thanked them for their dedication.
McGee, past president and the longest serving current board member, spoke about the challenges Goetz and Sullivan helped the school system navigate.
She said Goetz provided her rock-solid support when she was president, while Sullivan helped her see the importance of social and emotional growth of children in education.
“Nobody’s irreplaceable, but you two are the closest things I can think of on a school board to being irreplaceable,” McGee told Goetz and Sullivan. “So thank you very much.”
New board members Laura McKenzie and John Queen will begin their terms at the start of the new year.
Dec. 13, 2024