DES MOINES, Iowa — Des Moines' longest-serving school board member announced her resignation at a meeting Tuesday night.
In a letter to the school board, read by Chair Jackie Norris, Teree Caldwell-Johnson announced she would step down from her position effective immediately to focus on "current health challenges".
"It has been my privilege to have been elected to serve on the Des Moines Public School Board over the past 18 years, and my greatest honor is to have served three terms as the Board Chair," Caldwell-Johnston wrote in part. "Our district's commitment to student outcomes and policy-focused governance has created a win-win for our district and our current and future students."
Caldwell-Johnson has been a member of the Des Moines School Board since 2006. During her tenure, she served as Chair and Vice Chair of the board.
Beyond the school board, Caldwell-Johnson serves as CEO of Oakridge Neighborhood and Oakridge Neighborhood Services. She also served as Polk County Manager from 1996-2003.
Current and former Des Moines School Board members offered tributes to Caldwell-Johnson's legacy, highlighting her exemplary leadership and commitment to serving students.
"Today, I honor you, Teree: A devoted advocate, a visionary leader, a true champion for the students of Des Moines," said board member Kim Martorano.
Caldwell-Johnson's colleagues spoke not only to her achievements but to her character.
"It was a blessing for me to be able to sit at this table with her," said Dwana Bradley, a former school board member. "The amount of style and grace that she shows, her strength. I think you all can agree that when Teree spoke, we listened."
Those honoring Caldwell-Johnson thanked her for her dedication to the district and promised to carry on her work.
"Your service here has been long, sometimes fraught and a lot of times fruitful," said Cindy Elsbernd, a former school board member. "It has meant something, and it will continue to have meaning. Your voice, your sense of reason and your fight can still be heard and felt here."
Following Caldwell-Johnson's resignation, community members have expressed an outpouring of support on social media. DMPS released a video honoring Caldwell-Johnson's legacy. View the video below.