Northwest Iowa — Each May the Iowa Association of School Boards invites Iowans to honor and recognize school board members. This month is a designated time to show support for your local school board.
Association officials say the 2021 theme is “School Boards: Leading Through Uncharted Waters.”
Association officials say that over the past year, leadership at the board table has come with challenges and decisions no one could have anticipated. School boards have made tough choices that impact the health and safety of students, staff, and the school community, while continuing to prioritize student achievement and educational equity. They say that in a normal year, these unpaid volunteers “work diligently to ensure schools provide the best education possible for Iowa’s future citizens.” They say, “In 2020, they’ve persevered and led through uncharted waters to make critical decisions without even a map to navigate these challenges.”
At Sheldon Community Schools, administrative staff says school board members are honored on posters and are acknowledged in school as well as at the May Board of Education Meeting.
At George-Little Rock, Superintendent Tom Luxford says they will provide certificates for the board members at the May meeting. They’ll also have a meat & cheese tray, and will be thanked as a group. Luxford says, “It’s been a great year. It’s nice to have been in school. I appreciate the board members.”
At MOC/Floyd Valley, Superintendent Russ Adams says their board members are honored with a supper and a certificate.
At Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn and Sibley-Ocheyedan, board members will be recognized with a certificate of gratitude at their May meetings.
South O’Brien Schools Superintendent Wade Rieley says their school board members will also be recognized with a certificate at their May meeting. He says there will also be a meat and cheese tray. They will also have a work session, and supper will be provided for the school board members during that session.
At Central Lyon and Rock Valley, they will also be recognizing their boards at their May meetings.
Other districts around northwest Iowa are honoring their school boards in various ways.
The Iowa Association of School Boards says that while school board members are elected by the community, they serve as unpaid navigators who help students set sail by devoting their time to monthly meetings, reviewing board materials, communicating with citizens, exploring learning opportunities, and attending school functions and activities. They say that most importantly, school board members have made tough choices that impact the health and safety of students, staff, and the school community, while continuing to prioritize student achievement and educational equity.
