In his 12 years on the Mountain Brook Board of Education, Brad Sklar said, three school system achievements particularly stand out in his mind: the INCubatoredu student entrepreneurship program, the recognition of Mountain Brook as the most technology-proficient school system in the country and the current building program to modernize and update its school buildings.
“It’s so gratifying to know what the school system has accomplished for the over 4,000 students I’ve seen graduate in the last 12 years as well as the ones currently matriculating through the system,” Sklar, who attended his last board meeting earlier in the summer, said in a story on the school system’s website. “I am greatly optimistic for the future because of the former and upcoming graduates of Mountain Brook Schools. Thank you for allowing me to serve.”
As a school board member, Sklar helped guide the school system through a variety of experiences, including recessions, technology enhancements, facility improvements and the pandemic, while keeping education first.
“In my 13 years as the superintendent, Brad has been right there and has been a key in maintaining the success of Mountain Brook Schools,” Dr. Dicky Barlow said in the story. “In addition to his service to the community, he has become a great friend. I know he will enjoy the extra bit of time and continue to find ways to help others in the community.”
Mountain Brook City Councilman Billy Pritchard said Sklar’s “friendship and exercise of his wise and measured sense of good judgment has been invaluable over the last 12 years.”
Sklar’s fellow board members also praised their departing colleague.
“Brad has pushed us to think outside the box, never settling for average or status quo,” board member Nicky Barnes said.
Sklar presided over one last board meeting in May in Barnes’ absence, the article said. He thanked Mountain Brook Schools’ faculty and staff for their hard work and the relationships he’s made during his time on the board. He thanked school and city leaders for their guidance and the community for its continued support.
