Berkley school board loses its president and vice president on the same day
Berkley Schools board President Michael Tripp and Vice President Sarah Mountain both resigned Oct. 1. The district is taking applications through Thursday, Oct. 15, to fill the two seats.
By OCJ Staff
The Berkley Schools Board of Education lost its two top officers on the same day last week, when President Michael Tripp and Vice President Sarah Mountain both submitted resignations Thursday, Oct. 1.
Tripp, who served on the board for 10 years, cited personal reasons. "I resigned from the Board for personal reasons," he said, according to C&G Newspapers.
Mountain, who was running for re-election in the Nov. 3 race, also withdrew her candidacy.
Mountain cites meeting over child's bullying case
Mountain told C&G Newspapers her resignation stemmed from how district leaders responded when she sought information about her own child.
She said her child had been bullied and that she raised concerns with the school, then asked the elementary school principal for documentation. Afterward, she said, she met with Superintendent Scott Francis and Tripp, where she was "lectured and berated" and told "that it was inappropriate for a school board member to reach out directly to staff."
"It is this specific demand that is the reason for my resignation," Mountain said.
District points to board 'Culture Guide'
Board Secretary Barrie Frankel said board members may engage with staff as parents, but certain procedures are expected.
Those expectations are laid out in the "Berkley Schools Board of Education Culture Guide," which includes a section titled "Parent vs Board Member." Under the guide, when administrative intervention is needed, a board member should notify the superintendent. If procedures are not followed, "it is the Board president's job to intervene on behalf of the Board," according to C&G Newspapers.
How to apply for the open seats
The board is seeking applicants to fill the two vacancies by appointment, according to the Oakland County Times:
- Seat 1: a two-month term ending Dec. 31, 2026.
- Seat 2: a 26-month term ending Dec. 31, 2028.
- Eligibility: Applicants must live in the Berkley School District, which covers Berkley, Huntington Woods, northern Oak Park and a small part of Royal Oak.
- How to apply: An online application, letter of interest and resume, available on the district website.
- Deadline: 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15.
- Interviews and appointments: 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19, with a second session at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26, if the number of applicants requires it.
Appointees will attend their first board meeting Monday, Nov. 2, the day before the election.
On the ballot
With Mountain out of the race, Katie Chittick and Gregory Sollish remain on the Nov. 3 ballot for the Berkley school board.
This story uses reporting from C&G Newspapers and the Oakland County Times.