LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Diane Porter, the chairwoman of the Jefferson County Board of Education, submitted her resignation, effective immediately.
Porter cited health reasons in her resignation letter on Tuesday, writing "the nature of my chronic illness demands that I prioritize my health and dedicate sufficient time for treatment, recovery, and self-care. Despite my best efforts, I have realized that I am unable to continue fulfilling my professional responsibilities at the level of excellence that our district expects and that I strive to deliver. This notice will be effective immediately."
Her work, legacy and commitment to education will continue in the district she has served over the past 50 years working to educate Jefferson County Public Schools.
Porter's career started in the classroom at schools like Louisville Male, Fern Creek, Thomas Jefferson and Pleasure Ridge Park.
"She definitely leads by example," said Latonya Frazier-Goatley, principal of Grace James Academy. "Her legacy definitely will live on here."
Porter is a retired JCPS administrator who spent 40 years as a teacher, guidance counselor, assistant principal and principal. She was appointed to the JCPS board 13 years ago.
Frazier-Goatley said Grace Jones Academy is one of Porter's proudest achievements.
"Grace James Academy, of course, was created out of a need to make sure that there were middle schools that allowed females to create a sense of belonging and specifically females of color," she said.
Porter called her tenure as a board member that started in 2010 an "incredible journey." She said she is "deeply honored to have been part of the board during these transformative years."
Porter also wrote that she is "particularly proud to have served as the first African-American woman to chair the school board in 2012, and it has been an honor to return to the leadership role over the years."
You can read the full text of her resignation letter below.
"As I take this step to transition to a new phase of my life, please know that I will always hold the memories of my time on the board close to my heart. I look forward to watching the district's continued growth and success from afar," Porter wrote.
Those who know Porter or have served with her said don't expect her to stop working behind the scenes.
"If anybody knows Diane Porter, she made her life to be chair of the school board or on the school board," said longtime friend Alice Houston.
Houston said she and Porter grew up together because their mothers were friends. She knows Porter will stay focused on educating children.
"Her love or passion or efficacy, always and her wisdom and her historical knowledge will remain for as long as she has breath," Houston said.
Porter wrote in her resignation letter that it was with a "mix of emotions" that she is stepping away to focus on her health.
JCPS District 6 representative, Rev. Corrie Shull said, "Even today, she is still concerned about the children of this community."
Shull has served on the JCPS board with Porter. ""She has promised us that she will be keeping her eyes focused on public education."
And he believes that.
"And if things go awry she said that she will show up and make sure that it gets right because she will never stop caring about the children of this community," Shull said.
Copyright 2023 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
