After 28 years as a Hamburg Area school director with the past several as its president, Brooke Adams struck the gavel for the final time on Nov. 23.
“After 28 years it’s time to move on,” Adams said after the meeting. “I have no children in the district.”
As for why he became a board member, Adams said that when he was growing up “education was always big in my family. When my kids started school we contemplated whether to send them to private or public (schools). Joining the board helped make that decision.”
During the meeting Adams received a plaque from Darryl Schafer, regional director for the Pennsylvania School Board Association.
Schafer thanked Adams for his commitment and dedication to providing students the best education possible, as well as, his leadership and unselfishness in giving back to the community.
“It was a privilege,” said an emotional Adams. “When I started, Ronald Reagan was president. It was a privilege to serve and I’ll always be an advocate for public schools.”
After the meeting, Adams said that he was most proud that the district was able to consolidate the elementary schools from five to two.
“I’m also proud that the district is financially situated to go forward,” Adams said.
Superintendent Dr. Richard Mextorf called Adams “a guiding hand, a voice of reason.”
“He does it from the heart,” Mextorf said. “He’s an example of civic responsibility. A blessing. He’s one of the factors in my coming here.”
Adams’ fellow school directors were sad to see him go.
“He’s the person I look to for advice,” Brian Specht said. “I never met someone so even keel. He’s the reason I became a member. He told me about an opening on the board and encouraged me to join.”
“A fabulous leader,” Duane Crider said. “Low key, all about the kids. It’s hard to find that type of leadership. He doesn’t pedal his influence. You find out how he’ll vote when he votes.”
Adams said that he had many memorable memories, but one that stands out is meeting Dee Snider, the outrageous frontman for the band Twisted Sister.
Snider came to a meeting and spoke to school directors on behalf of a student whose band was not allowed to play with electric instruments in the district’s 2005 talent show.
“That was crazy,” Adams said.School directors will begin the process of replacing Adams at the reorganization meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 1 at 6:30 p.m. in the James A. Gilmartin Community Room.
