Published: November 14, 2008 09:07 am      

District 80 to honor school board

By TESA CULLI

tesa.culli@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — School Board members throughout the state and in the city will be honored for their service on School Board Members Day, which will be celebrated tomorrow.

“I feel totally blessed to work with the school board I have,” District 80 Superintendent Dr. Kevin Settle said Wednesday as he presented each school board member with a certificate and resolution in their honor. “I speak with administrators throughout the state, and over the years, you have been given a reputation that is second to none.”

Settle said the state began celebrating School Board Members Day last year, and District 80 decided to join with other schools across the state to honor and thank the community members who serve on the school board for their contributions and commitment to education.

“School board members serve countless hours, working to make public education the best it can be for every child,” Settle said. “In a climate of change and challenge, they develop policies and make tough decisions on complex educational and social issues that affect the entire community and the lives of individual students.”

Settle told the board that “I don’t tell you enough how much I appreciate your diligence and dedication.”

Settle said many don’t realize the amount of work that is undertaken by school board members.

“Preparing today’s students to be productive citizens and the leaders of tomorrow is a tremendous task,” Settle stated.

“As elected officials, school board members are the voice of the communities, serving first and foremost in the best interest of our school children. ... We proudly join educators and community members in saluting these education advocates as they provide vision and leadership for student achievement, academic programs, district funding and school facilities. Their service ensures that decisions about local public schools are made by those most familiar with the needs of our community’s children and families.

“Those dedicated individuals deserve recognition and thanks for their unfailing commitment to the continued success of our students now and in the future.”

The district invites present and past board members to its regular meeting on Dec. 10 at the new District 80 office at 2710 North Street. At the meeting, the board members will be honored, according to information from the district.