Northern Lehigh Superintendent Michael Michaels recognized outgoing school director Lauren Ganser at the district's board meeting Monday night.

Ganser, who served on the board for 12 years, was defeated in her bid for another four-year term on the board in last week's general election."She's done a wonderful job of advocating for the students and citizens of Northern Lehigh," Michaels said. "We will miss her."Michaels added that the board gave Ganser a nice card as a show of appreciation for her service.At the end of the meeting, Ganser read a prepared statement in which she recalled her tenure on the board.In it, Ganser said she "cannot help but be disappointed that my time has come to an end.""I am fully aware that being in the public spotlight brings both rewards and criticism, and know very well that it is a challenge to please everyone," Ganser said. "I must also tell you that my objective was not to please everyone, but to do the best job possible, while keeping in sight what was in the best interest of the majority, and most importantly, the kids we educate here in Northern Lehigh, as well as the taxpayers who depend upon us to be fiscally wise and conservative. And, to also be true to my self and the job I was fortunate to have been elected to."Ganser then thanked her family for the sacrifices they made, as well as their support over the past 12 years.She added that her motivation to run for the school board stemmed from her need to try to "fix" things.""Though I sit before you now, and I am proud to state that I can confidently believe the district is in a better place then when I first came on board, it is my hope that the good work and efforts continue with the people remaining, and the staff that I have had the pleasure to work along side of," she said. "Our job as board members is certainly easier when the employees are invested and believe in the mission of our district, and this atmosphere has been greatly improved in the latter part of my term."Ganser added, "My thanks for the opportunity to represent our district, and my sincerest best wishes to future endeavors, and much luck to the current board. I wish you well.""Finally, in the words of Mike Michaels, which I urge you to heed, don't tell me what we can't do here at Northern Lehigh, tell me what we can do."