Parsons resigns from Evergreen Public Schools board

After eight years on the Evergreen Public Schools board, member Michael Parsons announced his resignation Tuesday.

Parsons, who previously announced he would not run this year, resigned early at this week’s school board meeting.

“I took my early vacation,” said Parsons, 66.

Because Parsons is resigning so late in an election year, the district announced it would not name a replacement, instead waiting until the results of the Nov. 7 election. Ginny Gronwoldt and Park Llafet are running for the seat.

“We have appreciated Michael’s attention to detail, especially in closely monitoring legislative and compliance matters,” Board President Victoria Bradford said in a district statement. “We will miss his contributions to the Board, the staff and most importantly, the students of Evergreen.”

Parsons retired from the United States Army in 2000 after serving for 27 years, according to his district biography. He was a member of the Ellsworth Elementary School parent teacher organization, the Wy’East Parent Network and the Evergreen School District Foundation. His children attended Mountain View High School.

Parsons listed the district’s expansion to full-day kindergarten, pushing back school start times and eliminating supply and activity fees for students among the highlights of his time in office.

“I’m proud that we as a group have been so forceful in our equity work with regards to our students,” he said.