Doug Hearle Drops Out from School Board Race

School board member sent out a statement Monday announcing that he isn't running for re-election in the May 15 election.

Hearle, a retired communications consultant and former journalist who has lived in Pelham for 48 years, has served two stints onto the school board.  His first stint lasted from 1972 and 1978. He was elected to the position again in 2009.

Board President Robert Eicher, whose term ends this year, announced in March that .

Hearle's departure means that there are now four candidates running for two seats on the school board. Those candidates are , , and

Below is the statement Hearle released explaining his reasons for not running:

I have re-considered my candidacy and have decided not to run for re-election to the Board of Education.

Initially, I announced an intention to run in order to provide the voters with a selection of viewpoints from which to choose. The field of candidates has now grown to a point where, I believe, there is ample opportunity for appropriate decision-making on the part of the electorate.

The current list of candidates reflects a wide array of talents, interests, experience, and viewpoints. I am confident that our community can and will select new members who will serve our interests and reflect our values.

I am grateful for having had the opportunity to serve all of the people in our school district over the past three years. I salute my colleagues on the Board - past and present - and I wish the best to the candidates.

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