Resignation creates Fayston opening on Harwood school board

October 13, 2025 | By Lisa Scagliotti 

On Thursday, Oct. 9, Mike Bishop submitted his resignation from the Harwood Unified Union School District School Board. Bishop was one of two board members representing Fayston. 

Bishop has served on the school board since mid-2022 when he was appointed to replace Theresa Membrino. He then ran for election in 2023 to serve the final year of that term, which ended in 2024. His current term ends in March 2027. Bishop has served as chair of the school board’s Finance Committee. 

In his email sharing his resignation, Bishop did not cite specific details as to why he is stepping down now. “It has been a pleasure working with you and the rest of the Central Office staff. I wish everyone the best in the future,” he wrote. 

Harwood’s board has 14 members. Waterbury has four representatives, and each of the district’s other five communities has two. Fayston’s other member is Rebecca Baruzzi, who was elected this year for a term ending in 2028. 

School board seats carry three-year terms. When a vacancy occurs during the year, the board appoints a replacement to serve until the next Town Meeting Day election. In this case, Fayston residents interested in the position may submit a letter to the school board chair and the superintendent. 

The board would look to appoint someone to Bishop’s seat to serve until March 2026. The one year remaining for this position would then be up for election on Town Meeting Day. Any Fayston resident – including the appointee – could then run to serve for that remaining year. 

The school district on Friday issued a notice seeking applicants to fill the vacant position. It notes that the positions are volunteer and that the board’s meeting schedule is twice monthly on Wednesdays from 6 p.m. to approximately 9 p.m. in the Harwood library. 

“While no prior board experience is required, an open mind, a willingness to learn, and a commitment to serving our schools and communities are essential,” the notice states. 

The main requirement is that candidates must be Fayston residents. 

Those interested should submit a letter of interest and a resume describing their background, experience, and reasons for wanting to serve on the school board to Board Chair Ashley Woods at awoods@huusd.org and Harwood Superintendent Mike Leichliter at mleichliter@huusd.org. They ask applicants to send letters by 4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 24. The school board would then aim to meet candidates and make the appointment for the seat at its Nov. 5 meeting. In between, the Fayston Selectboard would have an opportunity to meet candidates and make a recommendation to the school board. 

More information about the district and the HUUSD School Board is online at huusd.org, including a Q/A about joining the school board.