Marblehead board member to step down

MARBLEHEAD – Six-year School Committee member Amy Drinker said Wednesday she will not run for re-election this year, so that she can devote her time to “personal pursuits.”She confirmed that “personal pursuits” included a return to her graphic design career to help pay for college tuition for her children, who have all graduated from high school.She has served as vice chairman and chairman of the committee, chairing it from 2006-2009. She also serves on the Marblehead Village School Building Committee and the committee designing the new Glover-Eveleth school replacement building. Before serving on the School Committee Drinker served on various building oversight committees and site-based management teams.The past six years have seen the hiring of a superintendent of schools, the opening of the Marblehead Veterans Middle School, the renovation of the Marblehead Village School and the ongoing study of the replacement of the Glover and Eveleth schools.Asked if she had any favorite memories of her tenure, Drinker said she enjoyed “the people I have worked with to bring about positive change for the community, the accomplishments we’ve been able to achieve together like Dr. (Superintendent of Schools Paul) Dulac’s instructional focus.”Drinker said she will continue to serve on the two building committees. As to whether she would consider serving on a Coffin-Gerry replacement committee if one is appointed, or possibly the next superintendent search committee – Dulac is currently in the third year of a five-year contract – she declined to say, noting that both possibilities are years away.”I certainly have a perspective on it (Coffin-Gerry),” she said, “but I wouldn’t presume anything for the future. That’s a School Committee decision.”Two weeks ago Drinker said she was still considering running for a third term on the board. Her withdrawal leaves a contested three-way race between incumbent Jonathan Lederman and challengers Jennifer Schaeffner and Kathy Leonardson.”I’m very happy that there are two new candidates with experience from different venues,” she said. “New blood is a good thing, it’s a healthy part of the process. I hope the voters think about that.”