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Board and union honor longtime trustee Mattie Thompson at Nov. 19 meeting
Summary
Board members, the superintendent and the Saginaw Education Association paid tribute to the late trustee Mattie Thompson, recounting her 20 years of service, fundraising for student needs and personal mentorship at the board table.
The Saginaw Board of Education paused its Nov. 19 meeting to honor the life and service of trustee Mattie Thompson, who served the district for two decades.
President C. Coleman opened the tribute by recounting Thompson’s decades of service and community work, saying "there is an empty chair here at the Saginaw Board of Education, and that for the past forty years, there has been a Thompson serving at this table." Multiple board members and staff recalled Thompson’s fundraising for students’ prom dresses, coats and band needs, her work with community groups (including fundraisers in Idlewild) and her practice of personally helping families in need.
Andrea Rethman, president of the Saginaw Education Association, offered condolences and praised Thompson’s advocacy: "deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Mattie Thompson." Board members discussed the process to fill the vacant seat within 30 days under state rules and agreed to accept nominations from the community before the board acts.
