At its Monday, Feb. 25 meeting, School Committee members said goodbye to Shannon Jenkins, a member of the committee for almost a decade, who did not run for reelection this year.

School Committee Chair Kathleen Amaral said, “It's been an honor to serve with you. We've been through some difficult times and you have served with conviction and an unwavering commitment to the students and the educators of this district.”

Amaral highlighted Jenkins’ focus on transparency and health equity throughout her time on the committee in addition to her work helping raise money for extracurriculars and field trips for kids in the district.

“You have just been incredibly unwavering in your stance,” she added. “You have stood firm in those. It's been an honor to witness that.”

School Committee Vice Chair Christopher Oliver highlighted how much the committee has been able to accomplish in that time thanks to her added efforts.

“I've enjoyed our time together,” he said. “We didn't always see eye to eye on some issues — on a lot of issues we did and we were able to, in my opinion, move the district forward. So I learned a lot from you, and I thank you for serving and I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors.”

School Committee member John Nunes echoed both committee members' sentiments, adding how most of the time he and Jenkins also did not agree on issues, but says everyone admires her conviction when it comes to taking a stance.

“You take a stance and that's where you're going to stand irregardless of what happens and I admire you and I applaud you for that,” he said. “It has been a privilege to serve on this committee to call you a friend and a colleague.”

Jenkins thanked everyone on the committee in addition to those she served with in the past.

She said, “We do disagree a lot and I think we're a real example of what it takes to get along in these polarized times because we all show up to the table to do the work.”

She added, “I think if we all in this community show up to do the work it will make this community a better place. So I encourage other people to volunteer their time to get involved — to do what it takes to help continue to make the Dartmouth schools and the town of Dartmouth a better place.”