By Peter Day
Senior Writer
Jody Collingham, who was first elected to a seat on Lucerne Valley Unified School District's governing board in November of 2010, has resigned from her seat.
Collingham, who left to move closer to a daughter in Nevada, would have been up for reelection this November.
"I sold my house," she said. "It cleared escrow today and I'm gone."
Collingham's departure was announced during last Thursday's regular school board meeting. Fellow board members displayed their appreciation for her service with chocolate cake and words of praise.
"Jody, I'm really going to miss you," said board president Jim Harvey who praised Collingham's calm nature during sometimes challenging board meetings. "It was a pleasure to get to work with you."
A former president of the Lucerne Valley Roadrunners, Collingham cited the group's annual "Worm Race" as one of her favorite school-related activities. A talented knitter, every year she knitted and donated hats for students attending science camp in Big Bear.
"I'm going to miss everybody so much. It was a hard decision for me."
The school board will appoint a replacement for Collingham who will join board member Tom Courtney on the election ballot in November.