Lisa Marshall announces resignation from Henrico School Board as she battles breast cancer

Lisa Marshall, the Tuckahoe District representative on the Henrico School Board since 2008, announced Monday that she is stepping down from the Board for health reasons. In a letter to the Board’s other members, Marshall said that today, Tuesday, August 21st, will be her last day.

“As you know, I was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2018 within days of Superintendent Patrick Kinlaw announcing his retirement,” Marshall said in a statement. “It was important to me that the Tuckahoe District be fully represented during our superintendent search so I participated fully in the search throughout treatment. My efforts were rewarded in our excellent selection of Superintendent Amy Cashwell who I know will well serve HCPS.

“Several weeks ago I underwent surgery and am thrilled to share that my prognosis is very good, yet I still have months of treatment ahead. I had hoped to serve out the remainder of my School Board term. However, it became clear after attending our August 9th School Board meeting that I simply do not have the energy and stamina required to fully represent the Tuckahoe District. My energy must be focused on restoring my health and my full-time employment.

“It has been my great honor and privilege to serve the Tuckahoe District for the past 11 years alongside you for some, or in Mr. Montgomery’s case, all of those years. I will cherish our friendship and the excellent working relationship I had with wonderful Division Leadership Team members and so many HCPS employees.”

Micky Ogburn, School Board chair, praised Marshall’s service to Henrico County Public Schools.

“There is no person who is more dedicated to the students and families of the Tuckahoe District than Lisa,” Ogburn said. “Our heartfelt wishes for a speedy and full recovery go to Lisa and her husband, Lem, and their three adult children, Emily, Jack and Lauren.

“The citizens of the Tuckahoe District have wisely trusted Lisa’s leadership by electing her to three terms on the School Board, and she responded with 11 years of devoted public service. She is, and will continue to be, a courageous advocate, a compassionate listener, a trusted confidante and, above all, a loyal and loving wife, mother, and friend. Today is a difficult day, but we know it is the right decision for Lisa and her family. We will miss her so much.”

Marshall was first elected to the Board in 2007. She was re-elected in 2011, and won a third term in 2015, running unopposed.

The School Board has a regularly scheduled work session Thursday at 2:30 PM, where members are expected to update the public on the process of selecting Marshall’s successor.