Dr. Christopher Spedaliere has resigned as a Salisbury Township School District school board member effective Oct. 19.

Spedaliere joined the board in 2013.

“I recently was given more responsibilities at work and no longer have the time to adequately fulfill my board duties,” Spedaliere said. “I no longer have the time to volunteer on the board while advancing in my career and being the father of three young children.”

Spedaliere said he originally planned on finishing his term and not seeking office in the next cycle.

Although appreciative of the many compliments received from citizens who appreciated his work on the board, he felt he could no longer take part in the rigged system leading to the current state of affairs.

“While our administration and school board have the best intentions, I have come to the conclusion that local school boards exist merely to maintain the illusion of local control. Unfunded mandates from the Federal and State governments, Common Core standards, a state pension system that is out of control and pressure from the teacher’s unions all guarantee that taxes will continue to rise, while the quality of education diminishes.

“While I will continue to send my children to public school, I see an economically unsustainable system with a growing number of parents who feel disenfranchised. The local school board has little or no power to change any of this.

“I believe that the best way forward for the entire system is to create more competition for our students by promoting school choice. Competition for students is the best way forward to improve our schools and to enhance the education for all students regardless of socioeconomic situation. School choice is listed as a policy on most candidates’ platforms from the Presidential race on down the ticket.

“I apologize to anyone who feels let down by my resignation,” Spedaliere said.

The board accepted his resignation at the Oct. 19 school board meeting.

The board will announce plans to fill the position very soon.