Following a 28-year career in teaching, it seemed natural to serve on the local school board. And for the past nine years, Sylvia Maffit did just that with the Troy School Board of Trustees.

“I am a child advocate and an educator and both of those attributes have been making working on the school board so pleasant,” Maffit said last week after confirming that she would not seek re-election. “I’ve been involved in education forever and it seemed like the perfect step to take after my retirement from the classroom.”

Maffit, who serves as chair on the board, has the unmistakable demeanor of a school teacher. She smiles wide when kids share what they learned on a recent field trip. She scolds a high school student for speaking impertinently. She is receptive when he rephrases his request.  

One could say that Maffit was born into the field of education – her father was the superintendent of Troy schools and her mother was an elementary teacher. During her time on the board, Maffit has basked in the sun and weathered great storms. Even if trustees ardently disagreed with each other, they fought it out and made progress.

But Maffit said she has seen a different trend this year and that played a role in her decision.

“It’s been a constant battle since last May,” she said. “The board meetings are never pleasant. Even when we were having trouble we used to be able to work together and come to a good solid agreement on what needs to be done.”

Maffit added, “Our board is fractured and I’m hoping some new blood will help bring it back together.”

Among those running, Maffit said she endorses Douglas Chapel and Joseph Pepiot for the two vacant positions. Darren Coldwell, who has been on the board for three years, is also not running for re-election.

Maffit said it’s time to give someone else a try.

“I would rather be on the board – it’s the most wonderful volunteer job I could have,” she said. “I’m sorry that I just won’t be able to continue.”

She recalls the years when she worked with Superintendent Brady Selle, former trustees Steve Straley, Ed Hanson and Warren Fahner, and current trustees Keith Haggerty, Steve Garrett and Coldwell to build the up-to-date science lab, complete renovations on the auditorium and construct the new activities center.

“We just worked and worked on this,” Maffit said. “To me, that was a pivotal point to everything that happened in the mid four or five years on the board. Just the community members that helped us … the teachers that really came to our aid.”