LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Jefferson County Board of Education (JCBE) member Diane Porter has resigned from her position because of health reasons.
Porter submitted her letter of resignation, citing the need to “prioritize my health and dedicate sufficient time for treatment, recovery and self-care.”
Porter has served on the board since June 2010, when she was appointed to fill a vacancy left by Ann Elmore. She was appointed by former Kentucky Education Commissioner Terry Holliday. She was elected to serve District 1 in Nov. 2010.
District 1 includes Brandeis Elementary, Meyzeek Middle School and duPont Manual High School and dozens of others.
Porter was the first African American woman to chair the JCBE in 2012. She held the position until 2018 and then again in 2019.
Porter said, “During my tenure, my areas of interest and commitment have included Early Childhood Education, Advance Program Assessment and Placement, the W.E.B. DuBois Academy for Males of Color, the Equity Scorecard, resources and support for low-performing students and schools, and the STEAM Academy for Females of Color, which was aptly named the Grace M. James Academy of Excellence. These areas have been at the heart of our efforts to create a more equitable and inclusive educational environment for all students.”
According to her biography on the Jefferson County Public Schools website, Porter graduated from the JCPS system and the University of Louisville. For almost 40 years, Porter has served as a teacher, guidance counselor, assistant principal, principal and central office administrator.
Porter’s resignation is effective immediately. She wrote, “It has been an incredible honor to serve alongside such dedicated and passionate individuals. Education is indeed the greatest gift we can offer our children, and I have full confidence that the board will continue to ensure this gift is given without reservation.”
During the JCPS School Board meeting Tuesday, Oct. 24 district superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio dedicated his report to Porter, saying “It’s hard to even imagine another person in the history of our district that has completely given their life to the children of this community.”
Other members of the board expressed their thoughts on Porter’s resignation.
“So I just want to express my personal gratitude for her service and my wish and prayers for her recovery,” Linda Duncan, JCPS District 5 board member, said.
Following Tuesday’s meeting, Pollo said the person who replaces Porter on the board will have big shoes to fill, and that he hopes they will have the success of all JCPS students as their top priority.
“There’s no other agenda other than what is best for the students of JCPS and the students of this community,” Pollio stated. “I’m confident our board will select that.”
JCPS officials say the search for a new district one board member is underway. Anyone who lives in that part of Louisville is eligible to apply. The school board will then select someone to serve in that role until they can be elected by voters in Nov. 2024.
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