NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The Board of Education last night accepted the resignation of board member Maddali Atallah. The Board chose to leave the seat, which was vacated immediately, vacant until the next regularly scheduled school district election on May 15.
Atallah, who had been serving in the capacity of vice president for the board, cited personal reasons for the decision she had been considering for some time. Board member Jeffrey Hastie was chosen to serve as the new vice president through the end of the school year.
First elected to the Board in 2015, Atallah served as vice president of the Board during the 2016-17 school year and the first half of the 2017-18 school year. During her tenure, she helped guide the development of the district’s roadmap plan, served as the Board’s liaison to the Westchester Putnam School Board’s Legislative Action Committee and served as a member of the Westchester Putnam School Board Association’s Board of Directors. She also served on the Districtwide Safety Committee as well as the Board’s Policy Committee.
“In leaving my position, I am comforted by the knowledge that my colleagues share an undying commitment to providing high quality and challenging education for every child in a safe, nurturing environment that embraces our rich diversity and drives our success,” Attalah said in her resignation letter to the District. “The breadth and strength of competence, talent and passion of my colleagues, coupled by those of the Superintendent of Schools and propelled by the boundless drive of our community are the most effective means to achieve equity and excellence for all children in every school of our city. It has been an honor to serve the families and children of New Rochelle.”
With one other seat up for election this coming May, the candidate that wins the second highest vote at that election will serve out the remainder of Atallah’s term, which ends June 30, 2020. The top vote-getter will win a full five-year term.
The Board of Education thanked Atallah for her service and dedication to the community and the students as a Board member, and wished her well in her future endeavors.