Abrams added a shot of warmth and spontaneity to the committee, which had been battered by critics following the tragedy of Phoebe Prince.
Robert AbramsSOUTH HADLEY – Dr. Robert Abrams, who was elected to the School Committee in April, has resigned from the committee for health reasons.
In a letter to committee chair Dale Carey, Abrams wrote that “due to unexpected medical complications, I will not be able to complete my term as a school committee member for the Town of South Hadley.”
“I’m sure I’ll get better,” said Abrams in a phone interview, “but I’m just not up to doing the job.” He did not describe the nature of his illness.
Abrams, a medical doctor, will continue to serve on the South Hadley School Schedule Committee, which is studying the possibility of adjusting high school starting times so teenagers can sleep later and get to school later.
Abrams has been advocating for this change from his first meeting with the School Committee, backing up his proposal with packets of studies suggesting that adolescent sleep patterns are biologically different from those of children and adults, and that attendance and grades improve when their classes start at a later hour.
Abrams added a shot of warmth and spontaneity to the committee, which had been battered by critics following the tragedy of Phoebe Prince, a high school student who took her life in January 2010.
When asked if he had been forced from the committee for any political reason, Abrams answered, “Absolutely not!”
“I’m really sorry to see him go,” said South Hadley Schools Superintendent Gus Sayer. “He’s a wonderful human being. He’s a strong supporter of the schools, and he has given a lot to the community in his long career.”
The South Hadley Selectboard is now looking for someone to fill the vacancy left by Abrams. The Selectboard will work with the remaining School Committee members on the search.
The person chosen will serve until next year’s town election, and may seek election to a regular seat at that time.
Any South Hadley resident interested in being appointed to the School Committee can submit a letter of interest by July 29 to the Selectboard at 116 Main Street, South Hadley, MA 01075 or by email to Selectboard@southhadley.org.