School board member resigns.

Byline: Anne Williams The Register-Guard

SPRINGFIELD - Bill Medford, whose combined years of service in two stints on the Springfield School Board add up to a quarter-century, resigned Monday, saying it's time for new blood.

Medford, 74, said he made the difficult decision only recently, and believes he's leaving the district in the best shape it's been in in years.

"I think it's an excellent time for a new board person to come on board," said Medford, a real estate broker who served on the board from 1970 until 1989 and then was appointed to fill a vacancy in 2002. He won election to a four-year term in 2005.

In his resignation letter, which Board Chairman Garry Weber read aloud, Medford praised his board colleagues and district staff members, calling Superintendent Nancy Golden "the absolute best."

"Springfield is envied by nearly every other school district in the state due to all she has accomplished in her short term as superintendent," he wrote, adding with affection that "she still needs to get more sleep."

In a similar vein, Medford - known for his blunt, folksy and always brief remarks - called Weber "the most prepared and dedicated person" he's served with, but also chided him for running long meetings.

Medford returned to board service five years ago in the midst of controversy, believing the district was headed down the wrong path under then-Superintendent Jamon Kent. He addressed the board at the time, saying the district had spiraled into "chaos," and was appointed two months after Kent was forced to resign.

Weber thanked Medford on Monday for helping right the district's course.

"I think you were the tipping point for us," he said.

Other board members weighed in with similar expressions of gratitude.

"One thing that you know about Bill is he's always going to give you some down-home wisdom that's just going to make sense," said Laurie Adams, who served with Medford during part of his first stint on the board.

Jonathan Light thanked Medford for his "gift of clarity," and said he'd learned a lot from him.

Golden credited Medford with helping to drum up support for a $42.7 million capital bond measure, which passed overwhelmingly last November. The measure will pay for two new elementary schools and a host of other projects throughout the district.

She said she loved his "no-nonsense, get-it-done kind of attitude," and the way he lit up when children were present.

"You're leaving the board, but you're not really leaving the board because you're leaving the legacy," she said.

Medford, a father of two who also served four years on the Lane Education Service District Board, had a word of advice for his would-be successor: "Don't come in with an ax to grind, because it just doesn't work."

Applications for the position are due by 5 p.m. Aug. 31. They can be picked up at the Administration Center, 525 Mill St., and will be available no later than Friday on the district Web site at www.sps.lane.edu/district/board/index.html. Applicants must be registered voters who have lived within the district attendance boundaries for at least one year.

The board will conduct interviews and appoint a successor on Sept. 24.

Also Monday, board members re-elected Weber and Light to serve as board chairman and vice-chairman, respectively.