MIDDLEBORO — Middleboro School Committee member Richard Oakley has resigned his position, saying his work on the board has been “shortchanging [his] family life.’’

Oakley’s wife Chelsea had a stroke last August and required brain surgery. “We got super lucky,’’ Oakley told committee members at their Dec. 15 meeting. “She’s almost back to 100 percent.’’

The experience put things in perspective, he said. Although he thought that they “were indestructible’’ the incident remained them that “we’re not.’’

“This could have been the end of our normal,’’ he said.

And if that had been the case, “I would not be proud of the effort I have put into my family. I would have had incredible guilt and despair at the ratio of time I spent on public service vs. the time spent with my family while we’re still healthy.’’

“I don’t think life gives you too many warning shots,’’ he said.

Oakley’s resignation, which was effective immediately after the meeting, means voters at the April 1 spring election will have three seats to fill on the committee. The positions held by incumbents Teresa Kelly Farley and Meghan Jenesss are on the ballot for full three-year terms. Voters will also be asked to fill Oakley’s open seat, which expires in 2025.

The Middleboro School Committee was scheduled to discuss the issue further at their Jan. 18 meeting, which was after press deadline. The committee is expected to vote at that time to accept Oakley’s resignation formally and to decide whether to fill the vacancy until the April 1 election.

Committee chair Rich Young said he would recommend waiting until the election, since there is already in quorum in place even without Oakley’s seat filled. Filling the vacancy would require a joint meeting with the Select Board to interview and then select the candidates.

The ultimate decision on whether to fill the vacancy or wait until the election will be up to the entire School Committee, Young said.

Oakley decided to step down soon after his wife’s stroke but stayed on to finish the work on the superintendent goals subcommittee.

With that accomplished, he said, “it’s time … to recalibrate and reorder my priorities.’’

Serving on the committee with his colleagues has been “the pleasure of my life,’’ he said. 

Committee members may not have always agreed, he said, but “one thing I am so certain of is that everybody sitting up here is completely and totally dedicated to Middleboro, the Middleboro Public Schools and Middleboro students.’’

Committee chair Rich Young thanked Oakley on behalf of the board. “It’s always about family, family comes first. ‘’

Superintendent of Schools Carolyn Lyons said she shared that sentiment.

“It’s easy to forget that School Committee members are not paid employees. The commitment you all show is evident, and it was especially evident over the last two and a half years. I think this community owes you a thank you.’’