School Trustee Resigns for Health Reasons

Trustees of the Anaheim City School District will appoint a replacement for one of their colleagues, Jeanne C. Blackwell, who has stepped down from the board for health reasons.

Her resignation was accepted this week by the four remaining board members.

The new trustee will serve out the rest of Blackwell’s four-year term, which expires in November. She was first elected to the board in 1983.

Supt. Jack Sarnicky called Blackwell an “outstanding individual� who served the elementary school district initially as a teacher and then later as a trustee.

Board President Betty Patterson described Blackwell as a diplomatic, soft-spoken person whose background as an educator and an attorney proved to be a valuable asset, especially during contract negotiations and other complicated tasks.

“She is a marvelous lady,� Patterson said Wednesday. “We are all going to miss her. She brought a lot of expertise and leadership skills to the board.�

In her resignation letter, Blackwell, 75, wrote that her “continuing poor health� makes her unable to complete her term.

Blackwell said she hopes the new board member will “share my respect for educators as well as the desire to preserve and promote the quality of educational opportunity and challenge for the children.�

Applications to fill Blackwell’s vacated position will be accepted through March 20 at district headquarters. Trustees will interview candidates on April 9 and possibly name Blackwell’s replacement that evening.