Hale Announces Resignation from Mineola School Board

The following are the remarks of Mineola Board of Education Trustee Terence Hale made during the public meeting of the Mineola Board of Education on June 5, 2013.

During the month of April this board was dealing with a few frustrating issues. As I have often done, I tried to add a little humor, or Terryism, to the situation to lighten the load. Most of you know I often quote movies and music where I see it relates. Once the dust settled last April, I realized some of my Terryisms had been misunderstood. At that time I offered an apology in writing and verbally to my fellow board members. It was my belief that my apology was accepted.

On May 22, less than 24 hours after losing her bid to be elected, Irene Parrino served me with papers requesting the Commissioner of Education remove me from office due to comments made in a few emails in mid-April. Comments I made solely among five adult board members. Her charges do not rise to the level of misconduct that would warrant the removal of a trustee and only serve to distract this board and this district from its focus on educating our students and protecting the hard earned tax dollars of this community.

The school board is named as co-respondents and as such must obtain legal counsel at taxpayer expense. I will not allow one taxpayer dollar to be wasted on this frivolous action. Therefore, I have decided that it is in the best interest of the district that I step down as a member of this board and I will do so effective at midnight, July 2nd, 2013.

This is a sad day and probably the worst in my life. I have served you, the good people of the Mineola School District, faithfully and compassionately for five years as an elected board member; I served as president and twice as vice president.

I have devoted almost 20 years of my life to the students and families of the Mineola School District. Treasurer of Hampton PTA, two terms as its president. I Chaired the sleep over which goes on to this day. Two terms as middle school PTA president and a life member where I implemented the Evening with Dad and ice cream social which still goes on. 1st Vice President of the High School PTSA. Two terms as district council president where I implemented both the Presidents Cup and the Presidents Rap. Nassau Region Nominating Committee and Ways and Means Committee member and in 2004 I was awarded the first ever Carolyn Fiori Leadership Award over more than 105,000 other PTA members, this is something that is very special to me.

That, my dear Irene is dedication. That, my dear Irene, is what it means to make a difference and be an advocate for all students, not just your own. That, my dear Irene is what being a true stakeholder is. You had three years to bring something to this community and you failed. You failed and they voted you out. Most people would simply accept the will of the voters but you cannot. You would rather punish them and this district through legal means.

If you want to punish me, fine. I stand alone between you and a district I took an oath to serve and protect. I will not let you have your day at their expense. No Irene, not on their dime.

My grandpa used to tell me, "it takes more of a man to own up to his mistakes or errors, than to be some lowlife looking for an opportunity to gain on someone's blunder," and that's when grandma would add, "don't worry lad, in the end it will come around and they'll get it in the neck." I hope Irene doesn't try to sue them for their words.

There are three things that I am compassionate about, my family, my faith and this district. You are not going to change that Irene. You claim you will suddenly become involved but I know better. Just watch me and I'll show you how an ex-member of the board of education remains involved. You haven't gotten rid of me, all you've done is aggravate me again.

To the people of the Mineola School District, I'm sorry. I let you down and hope you will allow me to make it up to you. A few poorly chosen words on my part makes me unable to continue to serve you as Trustee at this time. But, to quote General Douglas MacArthur, "I came through and I shall return."

Thank You.

Get Mineola news on Facebook