Patricia O. Prindle Cites Family Commitments and Rising Costs in Emotional Decision to Step Down
Her voice shaking with emotion, school committee member Patricia O. Prindle last night announced she will not seek re-election to the board in January.
“With a growing family, I cannot commit the hours I personally find necessary to carry out my responsibilities as a member of the committee for another three years,” said the young mother of three boys. She said she was tempted to run again but conceded her vows to limit her hours to “no more than 20 a week” for school committee matters were unrealistic. Mrs. Prindle took herself to task for not seeking a second term and indicated she felt she had let her supporters down. She termed a first term “an investment” and a second term “a wiser, more productive needs service for all.”
She also expressed regret that “the quest for fiscal accountability” had consumed so much of the committee’s time during her tenure, adding she had hoped to address more of the “educational issues.” Mrs. Prindle acknowledged her husband had requested that she not run again. “In these days of rising costs, expenditures for carrying out my school committee duties, such as child care, subscriptions, gas, etc. have become a real factor in our family budget,” she added. “There are just so many lists of instructions and warmed-up meals a family can take,” she said.
Mrs. Prindle also regretted times priorities of “husband and family first, school committee second” had become reversed. Mrs. Prindle, who was one of the town’s top vote-getters when elected three years ago, added she was retiring “with the knowledge that in my elected position, I never knowingly compromised in any way the public’s trust.”
Mrs. Prindle said she was making an early announcement of her decision in fairness to other prospective school committee candidates. The other member whose term expires in January is Chairman Charles C. Saraca, now rounding out his third term on the board. He said last night he has still not decided whether he will seek re-election.
Norwood School Committee Announcement Overview
Member Announcement & Reasons
- Departing Member: Patricia O. Prindle (mother of three boys, top vote-getter 3 years prior)
- Primary Factors: Heavy time demands exceeding 20 hours/week, rising out-of-pocket costs (child care, gas), and family priorities
- Tenure Focus: Noted regret that fiscal accountability dominated board time over broader educational issues
Board Status & Leadership
- Early Departure Notice: Issued to allow prospective candidates time to prepare for January election
- Board Chairman: Charles C. Saraca (completing 3rd term; undecided on re-election bid)
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
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