Hamilton Board of Education member Christopher Scales announced last month he will not seek reelection this November.
In a statement to the Hamilton Post, Scales said he arrived at the decision because he wanted to focus on his senior year in college and to follow other pursuits, including the graduate school admissions process. A student at Rider University, Scales won election in November 2014 just five months after graduating from Steinert High School.
Scales’ seat is one of three to be up for grabs during this November’s general election. Jennifer Kraemer and Susan Lombardo’s terms also expire this year. All three will serve until January 2018.
During Scales’ tenure, the Board of Education passed the district’s 2016-19 Comprehensive Equity Plan, and selected Scott Rocco as the new Superintendent of Schools. Scales also often found himself at loggerheads with a majority of the board on key issues, such as the decision to stop filming and broadcasting full school board meetings. He said his opposition on that issue and his emphasis on increased transparency have been points of pride during his tenure. As part of that effort, Scales often has fielded residents’ questions or addressed areas of concern on social media and email.
He said he will continue with the same ethic for the rest of 2017, despite his decision to not seek another term.
“I still have seven months left on the Board and I intend to fulfill my duties there, as I have strived to do throughout my term on the Board, to the fullest,” Scales said in his statement. “I am proud of the work that I have been able to carry out for our beloved school district with my colleagues and the administration at Park Avenue.”
