Wisniewski Won't Run Again For Decatur School Board

Marc J. Wisniewski, the chairman of the Decatur School Board for the last two years, announced Friday that he will not seek re-election.

That means the five-member school board will be missing two veteran members in 2014.

Valarie Wilson, a board member since 2002 and chairwoman 2005-11, earlier announced she will not run in November for her at-large seat. Lawyer
Annie Caiola announced on her website that she'll run for Wilson's seat.

Bernadette Seals, the current vice chairwoman of the school board, said in an email that she will run again. Garrett Goebel and Julie Rhame are not up for re-election this year.

Here's the announcement Wisniewski sent by email.

After a great deal of thought and reflection, I have decided that it is time for me to complete my tenure with Decatur's Board of Education.  I will not be seeking a fourth term during the upcoming election this November.

 I have greatly enjoyed the 12 years I have served.  I am proud of the progress City Schools of Decatur has made during those 12 years and am pleased to have served a role in that progress.  I have been blessed to have worked with greatly talented and dedicated fellow board members.  I have been equally blessed to have had the support and encouragement of, as well as honest disagreement with, hundreds and thousands of fellow Decatur citizens.

 And I recognize that my role as a board member in helping govern and steer CSD is possible only because of the amazingly brilliant, passionate and caring staff that fill our classrooms, offices, locker rooms, cafeterias, hallways, buses, maintenance vehicles, fields, stages and playgrounds with leadership and care for our children every day. 

Finally, I want to thank my family for having supported, listened to, and counseled me, and who sacrificed and weathered many storms large and small with and for me.  I look forward to continuing to support the unceasing quest for improvement that is at the core of City Schools of Decatur as a private citizen in 2014 and beyond.