Believing the fight on the football field is more productive than the fight in the political and legal arena, Tony Miller has decided to resign from the Clarkston Community Schools Board of Education.
The resignation, effective July 1, was delivered via a May 2 letter to board President Karen Foyteck, and was announced at Monday’s school board meeting.
Miller made no comments at Monday’s meeting, but later said his motivation is go back to being an assistant coach with the Clarkston High School football team.
‘It’s time to go back to doing something I really love to do in the community,? he said Tuesday.
A Clarkston High School graduate who was the top vote-getter in the June 2003 school board election, Miller found himself in an alleged conflict of interest position because of his coaching position.
Citing a conversation with Deputy Superintendent David Reschke prior to the June 2003 election, Miller said he was told there would be no conflict of interest because of his unpaid coaching status, but Superintendent Al Roberts did not renew Miller’s coaching contract last fall.
Roberts and fellow trustees followed school district attorney George Butler’s opinion that the state’s Incompatible Public Offices Act prohibited Miller from holding the coaching position, even as a volunteer, while a school trustee.
Miller filed a lawsuit against Roberts contesting his interpretation of the law. In a Sept. 3, 2003 hearing, Oakland County Circuit Judge John J. McDonald ruled in Roberts? favor, not because of the Incompatible Public Offices Act but rather on Butler’s assertion that the school board had delegated to Roberts the authority to hire and fire coaches.
Miller’s attorney has continued attempts to appeal that ruling, but Miller said Tuesday he will ask his attorney to drop the case.
‘There’s no reason to fight the legal system if these people don’t like that scenario,? he said.
Some trustees, who had publicly chastised Miller for both his legal fight and his outspoken opinions on other school issues, attempted to be cordial in reaction to Miller’s resignation, with several shaking his hand after the meeting.
Board Secretary Stephen Hyer made the motion to accept the resignation ‘with much regret,? and Foyteck said, ‘I hope you had a good year, Tony.?
Miller said he has had conversations with school officials about resuming his coaching duties this fall.
‘As far as I know, that’s not going to be a problem,? he said, again citing his love for the game. ‘The sport has taught me more about life than anything.
‘Now I’ve had a taste of politics, too,? he continued. ‘I’ve learned a tremendous amount.?
During his less than one-year in office, Miller has questioned administrative recommendations on budget trimming, advocating pay freezes and other moves instead of a planned ‘pay-to-participate? athletics fee. He also has asked frequent questions about cost estimates and specifications for ongoing construction projects to be paid from the $83.7 million bond issue approved by voters last year.
He admits some question as to whether he has been an effective trustee.
‘I don’t know that I accomplished a lot,? he said. ‘To accomplish something, you have to have a team.?
Miller said there was no specific reasoning behind the timing of his resignation, other than to ensure he could return to coaching. He didn’t think about the legalities of filling his vacancy, other than, ‘I wanted the community to be able to vote.?
While the June 14 election will fill two seats on the board of education, it appears it is too late to include Miller’s seat on that ballot.
The state-mandated deadline for ballot resolutions has already passed, and the current policy (based on state law) is for the remaining board members to appoint a successor until the next regular school election (which will be sometime in 2005, when new election timetables go into effect).
Foyteck said Tuesday the procedure will include an invitation for ‘letters of interest? in late June, followed by interviews with candidates.
The board must fill the vacancy within 30 days of Miller’s announced departure date, July 1.
Foyteck said she hopes Miller will be able to ‘follow his passion? with the high school football team, and denied any sense of ‘relief? with his resignation.
‘There has been some conflict, but he has worked hard this year,? she said, crediting Miller with faithful attendance and thorough study of agenda packets. She emphasized the ‘regret? portion of the board motion.
‘You can’t refuse a resignation,? she said.