“Affton School Board member Mike Alexander announced Monday that after three years he was resigning from the board for health reasons.

“It’s been very fun and rewarding to sit on the board and watch what we’ve done,” Alexander said, his eyes wet as he received handshakes and hugs from his fellow board members. “I do know that we have the right people in the school district to move forward without me.”

The announcement, which came at the end of the school board’s June meeting, was a surprise to principals and audience members at the meeting. The board had apparently discussed the resignation earlier, however, and presented Alexander with a crystal plaque to thank him for his service.

“There is no greater testament to Mike than what we saw at graduation, multiple students hugging him as they received their diploma,” board president Michael McNeil said, praising Alexander for the relationships he has built with students over the years.

McNeil also remarked on Alexander’s dedication to the board despite painful health troubles, including coming to board meetings immediately after being released from the hospital following surgery.

Alexander was re-elected to the school board for a second term in April. The school board will now appoint someone to fill the position until the next school board election in April 2012. Then an election will be held, and the winner will serve the remaining two years of Alexander’s term.

District policy states that residents wishing to be appointed should send letters detailing their qualifications and interest to the board secretary, Carol Loehr. These letters will be reviewed by the board, and finalists will be interviewed in open session. The chosen candidate will be voted on in a coming board meeting.

An Affton High School alumnus, Alexander, now 52, grew up in the district, and he continued to be involved in the schools after moving away. He is a director and referee for the Affton Iceless Hockey League and coached roller hockey at Affton High for three years. In 2005 he received a S.O.A.R. Award for his volunteer work with the district. Alexander moved back to the district in 2006, and he works as a customer service rep.

Alexander said he will continue to be involved in the district through the fathers’ club, floor hockey program and basketball team.

“I thank you for all the many years of doing this,” Alexander said. “I appreciate everything everyone has done for me while I’ve been on the board.””

Printed in the Affton-Shrewsbury Patch on June 22, 2011

Article by Andrew Dana Hudson

Original Article