On Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023, Ann Arbor Public Schools trustee Jacinda Townsend Gides announced her official resignation from the Ann Arbor Public Schools board of education, just two months after stepping down as president. She served on the board for 9 months, elected in November of 2022.
Townsend Gides plans on relocating to Rhode Island, as she accepted a position at Brown University as a faculty member.
In addition to the search process of a new superintendent, the Ann Arbor public schools board will also begin the next steps in filling Townsend Gides’ position. Townsend Gides was a part of 5-2 majority to remove Superintendent Jeanice Swift.
Townsend Gides shared at board meetings to have received email complaints from the community about their children getting bullied, including her daughter who faced bullying.
“There’s a tolerance for bullying in this district that is just mind-blowing,” Townsend Gides said.
The board of education issued a formal statement to update students, staff, and families of the district, through an email on Sept. 19, 2023.
“We thank Jacinda Townsend Gides for her time and work on the Board, and greatly appreciate her time and dedication over the past nine months,” the email said.
