McKinney resigns from school board, plans to move out of state

Blaine school board vice president Laura McKinney sent in her letter of resignation November 29, which was accepted by the board during its December 14 meeting, as she and her family are moving back to South Carolina. 

McKinney was recently reelected to another term as district 5 representative. The board will need to appoint a representative for the district, which with the board’s redistricting includes Semiahmoo, areas south of Blaine and north Birch Bay, by March 4, 2022. The appointed representative will serve a two-year term until the next general election.

“It is with a heavy heart that I submit my resignation from the board effective immediately,” McKinney wrote in her resignation letter. “I am grateful for the support of the electorate in the last election, but my family and I have decided to leave the state of Washington and return to South Carolina. I wish the students the greatest success in life, and I hope that they will continue to find motivation and inspiration to reach their potential.”

McKinney moved to Blaine in 2001 from South Carolina. She lived here for a year and a half and then returned in 2014. She has served as a board member since 2017. 

“I appreciate the time and service she’s given to the school district, staff and students,” superintendent Christopher Granger said during the meeting. “She was a very good board member and allowed for very healthy discussions at the board level.”