After nearly 10 years on Decatur’s school board, Bernadette Seals announced during Tuesday’s board meeting that she will not run for re-election in November.
Initially Seals was appointed to the board in August 2007, to replace a member who’d resigned. She then ran for election in Nov. 2007, to finish the term and ran again in Nov. 2009. She was vice chair 2011-13 and chair in 2014.
Seals is the last board member dating to a time City Schools Decatur enrollment was about half of what it is today.
“When I came here we had no idea how much we were getting ready to grow,” she said. “The big projects back then were building the [basketball/performing arts] arena and the football field. That seems like a long time ago. I think it’s time to pursue private life.”
Board members Annie Caiola and Lewis Jones had announced earlier this year they’d seek re-election. So far no challengers have emerged.
Mayor Patti Garrett is also seeking re-election and currently has no opposition. District One Commissioner Fred Boykin, like Seals, is stepping down. To date Kelly Walsh and Melissa Manrow have announced they’re running for that seat.
Qualifying isn’t until August.
