January named "School Board Recognition Month" by Gov. Perry
By Nathan Straus News Reporter

Nathan Straus Photo BISD Board members after a Brownsboro Independent School District Board meeting. L-R: Bobby Lankford, Becky Grantham, Joel Irwin, Dusty Wise and Bobby Teague. Not pictured: Jeffery Fulgham, Joey Ridgle.

Texas Governor Rick Perry has declared January, 2008, as School Board Recognition Month. The move is designed to raise awareness of the role an elected board of trustees has in shaping schools and helping communities.

A press release from Brownsboro Independent School District regarding the declaration stated trustees, as citizen leaders, face challenges few people fully understand.

"All Texans should recognize the vital contributions of these men and women and focus attention on the crucial role these elected public officials play in the education of our children," the release read.

The job of members in school boards has several facets. The board of trustees must establish a goal for the education program of the school they serve and build a structure to achieve it. They must make schools stay accountable to the community and advocate constant improve- ment in student learning.

"That job entails an endless string of meetings and school functions to attend; reams of reposts, agendas, proposals and other information to read and study; and a host of difficult decisions to make," the press release claimed.

School board members come out of a variety of jobs, from farmers and doctors to airline pilots and secretaries. Although a trustee has other functions in a normal work day, when it's time to make decisions for the good of the school the doctor and the farmer assume the same role.

"Board members must pull together as a team toward a common goal: helping students achieve," the release stated.

Elton Caldwell, BISD superintendent, said BISD's board of trustees deserves the

thanks of the school.

"We appreciate the job you do," Caldwell said.

In honor of the board, the school's own Bear Radio presented board members with certificates. The Brownsboro High School decided to hold an appreciation dinner for the board; the dinner will take place on February 11 at BHS.

Megan Harville, educational aide at Murchison Independent School District, echoed Caldwell's sentiments.

"We at MISD really appreciate the hard work and dedication the school board members give," Harville said.

During January, citizens are encouraged to show their appreciation for the hundreds of hours school board members spend serving the school through not only meetings, but also seminars and training sessions.

"Make a special effort to tell each school board member that his or her hard work has been noticed and is truly appreciated," the press release encouraged.

BISD school board members are: Joel Irwin, Bobby Teague, Dusty Wise, Becky Grantham, Jeffery Fulgham, Joey Ridgle and Bobby Lankford.

MISD school board members are: Shiree Head, Rusty Abney, Nelda Tillison, Beverly Seston, Mike Davis, Sheryl Sims and Gerald Wood.