Resignation

[Shannon Warden]

SERC Committee and Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen,

It is with great sadness that I must resign from the Town of Farragut Education Relations Committee.  My husband and I have made the decision to send our children to the Christian Academy of Knoxville beginning next school year (2011-2012).  Our original intent was to begin this transition for my son in Middle School
next year, with my daughter following when she reached Middle School age in 6 years, thereby still having a child in a Farragut public school.  After careful consideration, we decided that the best option for our family was to go ahead and make the transition with both children, keeping our family at one location.  My hope is that this decision is not perceived as one that assumes a negative opinion on the public schools that

have served us and that we have so faithfully and publicly served as volunteers.  That would be inaccurate.  This is a personal decision based on many factors, none of which are a result of poor personal experiences in either of the schools our children have attended.  The staff and faculty of both Farragut Primary and Intermediate Schools have been wonderful and truly are the best of the best.

My decision to resign is simply due to the fact that I believe our family decision presents an obvious conflict of interest as a committee member on a committee who's primary purpose is to be a liaison between the public
schools and the Town of Farragut.  I don't feel it's fair to the committee to bring that kind of outside criticism to it.  While I still very strongly believe in advocacy for public education, every taxpayer's responsibility in
this system, and in giving every child a voice, regardless of where they go to school, I am also not so delusional to think that my decision shouldn't have an impact on how others hear my opinions and input on the subject.  My hope is that others who have children in our community's schools will step up to fill this role with the same heart I have had for it.  I have enjoyed working with the committee and am truly sad to let it go.  My desire to build on the foundations we have laid this past year has not changed, believe it or not.  I would not have believed it possible to still care and still feel so strongly about something, even knowing my own children may not be the direct benefactors of it.

I wish you all the best and look forward to serving the Town of Farragut in various other capacities, should the need and opportunity arise.

Sincerely,

Shannon Warden

[Carol Littlejohn]

Thanks, Shannon, for your dedication and service to our committee. We will miss you. You've added so many ideas and suggestions. Best of luck to you and all your family.

Carol Littlejohn