Peter Murray has resigned from the Regional School Unit 5 Board of Directors, effective Dec. 31. Murray said Wednesday that his experience leading the Withdrawal Committee would have a negative impact on his school board duties.

“This has been a difficult decision for me,” he said. “But, after having been the chairperson on the Withdrawal Committee, my ability to engage the RSU board effectively has been compromised. I and the Withdrawal Committee put forth what we believed to be the best course for education in Freeport and the tri-town area. In the end, the voters determined a different direction will be taken.”

Murray added that the RSU now needs to move beyond that debate and get to the important business of plotting a course forward for the district and providing the best possible education for the kids.

“A Freeport representative who doesn’t carry the baggage of the last 10 months will accelerate that process,” he said.

Melanie Sachs, newly elected Town Council chairwoman, said that according to state statute, the council will appoint Murray’s successor. He had two years remaining on his three-year term. Sachs pointed out Wednesday that, according to state law, the council can appoint someone only until the next annual municipal election, which is November 2015, so even though Murray has two years left on his term, the person selected must choose to run next November to fill the remainder of the term.

“It was expressed publicly (on Nov. 17) that this is not welcome news, as Mr. Murray has been a tireless advocate for quality education for the community for many years, and will be missed,” Sachs said.

Candidates for the RSU 5 board will fill out applications for the position by Dec. 1. The Town Council will question the candidates during its Dec. 2 meeting and choose Murray’s replacement that night, Sachs said.

Murray spent considerable time and energy last year negotiating the town’s withdrawal from RSU 5 with the RSU 5 Working Group, which consisted of school board members from Durham and Pownal. He was gracious following the Nov. 4 vote, in which Freeport residents defeated withdrawal by only 76 votes – 2,228-2,152.