​January is School Board Recognition Month

Back, L-R: Gary Bagshaw, Mickey Johnson, Alex Ulm, Front, L-R: Lorri Keith, Superintendent Patrick Waddell, Tonya Jones

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At the January 9th meeting of the Edmonson County School Board, Superintendent Patrick Waddell presented certificates to board members in recognition of January's School Board Recognition Month.

In a statement from the superintendent's office, the Edmonson County Board of Education said:

"Our community is blessed. We have a successful public school system with incredibly engaged students in grades Preschool through 12 and a team of professional teachers and administrators who strive daily to provide an excellent education to benefit this community for generations to come.

A vital component of the progress of our district - and thus our community - is the leadership provided by the members who make up the Edmonson County Board of Education.

Please take the opportunity this month in thanking the school board members of Edmonson County and let them know that while events around them change, you appreciate their unwavering stand for the children of the community."

The statement also said that Gary Bagshaw, Lorri Keith, Mickey Johnson, Tonya Jones, and Alex Ulm are among the 850-plus school board members in the state’s 173 local school districts who will be singled out for their service in doing a job that has become increasingly complex.

​"Academic standards, achievement gaps, college and career readiness, school safety, athletics and extracurriculars, policies of all kinds, plus, the budgeting that undergirds it all," The office said. "These are just some of the areas local school board members must understand because of their responsibilities.  It’s obvious from this list of examples that the job can’t be confined to the hours of a school board meeting.  Local
school board members may spend hours of study before casting a vote, and spend time talking to theirconstituents while at home or work.
   
The BOE office also said that in addition, members of the Edmonson County Board of Education must keep up with changes in education laws and regulations, and devote time to their own annual professional development and training.