FORT COVINGTON - Salmon River Superintendent of Schools Jane Collins says that school board President Stacy Skidders had submitted a letter of resignation on Dec. 21 and has not held the position since that day.

A story in Thursday’s Daily Courier-Observer noted that Skidders is serving a sentence of six months on house arrest stemming from her guilty plea in Canada to possessing $11,250 worth of untaxed cigarettes at the Cornwall port of entry while attempting to enter Canada on July 21.

Ms. Collins had said Thursday that the board had no knowledge of the arrest until that day and it was uncertain how the board would proceed.

In the letter, Ms. Skidders makes no mention of the case and cites “new employment opportunities and continuing my education” as her reasons for leaving the post. She says that a Monday evening class from January through May will prevent her from carrying out her duties.

“I appreciate your trying to work around my schedule, but next semester I will have a Monday evening class,” the letter reads. “I find that unacceptable and do not wish to further inconvenience the school board.”

The letter does not specify the employment opportunity or where she is taking the course.

Ms. Collins said she was “caught off-guard” when contacted by a reporter inquiring about Ms. Skidders’ arrest which caused her to not immediately think of the letter. She also noted that the letter was submitted Dec. 21 after the school closed for holiday break and it was not brought to her attention until the day she was first contacted.

“I hadn’t put together the pieces,” Ms. Collins said Thursday. “I wasn’t even thinking about the letter of resignation.”

Ms. Collins said the board of education will hold a special meeting on Jan. 7 that will serve a double purpose: to discuss finding a new board president and also what to do about Ms. Skidders’ now-vacant board seat. The issues will have a spot on the agenda for the Jan. 14 regular board meeting, according to Ms. Collins.

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