Spring Cove School Board member resigns
Smith attributes exit to ongoing issue with fellow board member
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ROARING SPRING -- The Spring Cove School Board, during Monday night's meeting, discussed the resignation of member Kevin Smith, who attributed his exit to ongoing issues with a fellow board member.
Smith resigned from the board effective Aug. 26 because of statements shared by board member Alyssa McGregor through social media and board emails regarding Smith's alleged conduct, according to Smith's resignation letter, which Smith shared with the Mirror.
One of McGregor's public Facebook posts dated Aug. 19 states "name-calling fellow Board members, judging their competence based on gender, self-promotion, misrepresenting information, and sharing confidential discussions are neither admirable nor responsible. These actions harm the entire District. In fact (it's) the opposite of Godly."
Smith was warned about being sanctioned after allegedly disclosing executive-session information to his wife. He wrote that no specific evidence was presented.
Following an Aug. 24 executive session meeting, Smith "realized that the strain surrounding my service on this Board is beginning to affect what matters most to me -- my faith, my wife and my marriage," the letter states.
In response, McGregor sent the Altoona Mirror a letter addressing Smith's resignation, stating that Smith was held accountable for disclosing executive session information and was warned that he would be publicly censured if he continued to do so.
"He ultimately chose to resign," McGregor wrote. "If my insistence on accountability created enough pressure for Mr. Smith to resign, I am comfortable with that. Accountability is part of holding elected office."
Following laws and confidentiality requirements is part of an elected board member's responsibility, which prohibits sharing privileged information to the public, McGregor stated.
Stating that Smith's conduct has taken up too much attention, she wrote that the board has more important work to do, such as considering the addition of an indoor track and field program, expanding youth sports opportunities and searching for a district superintendent.
"We know what we are accomplishing, and we are too proud of that work to allow someone else's negativity to distract us from our focus," McGregor wrote.
In discussing the agenda item, board member Misti Fisher said she intends to reject Smith's resignation during the board's Sept. 21 voting meeting. She suggested holding an executive session to talk over Smith's resignation.
"I believe the community voted him in, and I believe he wants to be here," Fisher said.
Smith and his wife, Lisa, sat together in the audience during Monday's board meeting. Smith said they have regularly attended board meetings since 2020.
Mirror Staff Writer Colette Costlow is at 814-946-7414.