Tim Riley steps down from school board after nearly 7 years

Stillwater Public Schools Board of Education member Tim Riley announced his resignation Tuesday evening, ending nearly seven years of service as he prepares to move to Montana with his wife for a new career opportunity.

Riley, who has served on the board since 2018, told fellow board members he recently accepted a position taking over a telecommunications company in Montana. His departure was announced during the board communications portion of the December meeting.

Riley was appointed to the board in September 2018 to fill the Ward 2 seat vacated when board member Marshall Baker accepted a job out of state. A 1991 Stillwater High School graduate, Riley brought more than 20 years of telecommunications industry experience to the board. Before becoming a consultant, he worked with Internet service providers to help school districts across the country access quality Internet connections.

"I recently took a new job out of state," Riley said. "I'll be my wife and I Kristi here will be moving to Montana. I'll be taking over a telephone company there and I'm going to miss this a lot you know. I've been doing this since 2018. Worked with several board members and this is about as good a chemistry as we have ever had. So I'm going to miss you guys."

Board members praised Riley's steady leadership through multiple superintendent transitions, the COVID-19 pandemic, and successful bond projects that delivered new facilities on time and on budget.

"Regardless of term, you may have ... done more for the district in the time of transition maybe more than any board member ever," board member Marshall Baker said. "You served through a number of superintendent transitions you served through interim superintendents you served through COVID."

Baker, who left the board in 2018 when Riley joined, reflected on the timing of Riley's departure.

"You've just been like a real sense of calm and you're a sense of stability," Baker said. "When all of us are freaking out or something's happening you're just always like 'okay this is a solvable problem' and you're very logical."

Board member Gay Washington thanked Riley for his commitment to the district.

"I don't want to say farewell I just want to say thank you for the years of service and your commitment to recommit which is just so priceless," Washington said. "You've made a difference and I've appreciated."

Board member Rachel Dillin said Riley served as a mentor when she joined the board.

"You and Marshall for sure knew what you were doing when I started," Dillin said. "It's really nice to have kind of some mentors on the board when you start because there's a lot to learn and a lot to know. So I've appreciated serving with you too. We'll miss you."

During his tenure, Riley served as both board president and vice president. He was named vice president in October 2020 and later served as board president before returning to a regular board member role.

Board President Roberta Douglas credited Riley's experience with helping the board navigate challenging periods.

"Having your leadership along with others who had been here for more years than I knew to lead us into some times that without sure knowledge and your experience wouldn't have been as seamless as we had it," Douglas said. "Thank you."

Baker highlighted Riley's impact on the district's facilities and bond work.

"You think about the bonds you've passed you think about the work the buildings you've built every one of them on time and on budget," Baker said. "You've been an incredible board member so enjoy Montana you've done more than maybe any board member in the history of the school."

Riley and his wife, Kristi, have been active in Stillwater schools for years. At the time of his appointment in 2018, Riley had one child at the middle school and another at the junior high. His wife has been involved in the schools since their children attended Sangre Ridge Elementary.

During Tuesday's meeting, board member Rachel Dillin noted the community will also be losing Kristi Riley, the current Dancing with Saville winner. The annual fundraiser benefits The Saville Center, a local nonprofit.

Kristi Riley and Chris Peters celebrate their first-place finish at Saturday's Dancing with Saville fundraiser. The annual event benefits The Saville Center. Kristi is married to Tim Riley, who announced his resignation from the Stillwater school board Tuesday. – Photos by Landry Bledsoe/Stillwater Chamber of Commerce

District staff also acknowledged Riley's contributions. Chief Financial Officer Kristie Newby thanked Riley for his role in her hiring, while Assistant Superintendent Bo Gamble recalled working with Riley on bond projects when Gamble served as a middle school principal.

"Thank you Mr. Riley for your work," Gamble said. "I know I was a principal at the middle school and one of those first bond projects that you worked on was the renovation addition out there and we walked that a couple of times."

Baker noted the community will feel Riley's absence beyond the boardroom.

"The town is is losing a lot because you are so connected and you're so empathetic to people in the community," Baker said. "I think it just speaks to how you live that people see you as that trusted person, staff and constituents alike."

Riley participated normally throughout Tuesday's meeting, voting on all agenda items including policy updates and technology contracts for the ongoing high school construction project.

The board will need to declare a vacancy and open a 60 day window to fill Riley's seat through appointment.