Outgoing Brookhaven school board member Karen Braden was recognized Tuesday night for her 10 years of service on the school board.

She received a plaque from Superintendent Lisa Karmacharya as well as a hug.

“If nothing else, I’m grateful to have known you all,” Braden said.

Braden’s husband, Dr. David Braden, also made a surprise appearance to present his wife with a bouquet.

Karen Braden is one of three school board members appointed by Brookhaven aldermen to the five-person board. The other two members are elected.

Braden was appointed in 2003 and is completing her second term.

Aldermen have chosen to replace Braden on the board with local accountant Pat Lowery.

Braden said her exit from the board was by choice, and she didn’t want an appointment to another term.

School board members, appointed and elected, serve five-year terms.

Board members rotate the board’s officer posts, with Braden serving for the last year as board president.

Tuesday’s board meeting was Braden’s last regularly scheduled board meeting to attend. There’s still a student hearing scheduled for Monday she’ll attend. Board members will also take up the matter of district renovations at that meeting.

Lowery will be installed as Braden’s replacement at the March 26 meeting. He was in attendance at Tuesday night’s meeting.