Special Week Honors Georgia’s School Boards

The Douglas County School System is joining in a statewide celebration this week to salute the efforts of local school board members. The week of March 18  through 22, has been proclaimed School Board Appreciation Week in Georgia. The weeklong observance calls attention to the contributions of local boards of education.

“Citizens elect board members to represent the community’s voice on education matters and to set the vision for the school district,” said Dr. Gordon Pritz, Douglas County School Superintendent. “Our board spends countless hours fulfilling its responsibilities and working together to continually improve our education system. Douglas County Board of Education members have earned the honor of becoming a Board of Distinction.

“As the people citizens elect to represent them in education matters, local school boards represent a continuing commitment to local citizen control and decision-making in education,” Pritz continued. “It is fitting that we honor our local board members.”

Douglas County Board of Education members, their district and year initially elected to the board are as follows:

Ms. Janet Kelley, Chair, District 3, 2011

Mr. Jeff Morris, Vice Chair, District 5, 2009

Ms. Carol Lindstrom, District 1, 2013

Mr. D.T. Jackson, District 2, 2011

Dr. Sam Haskell, District 4, 1997

As constitutional officers of Georgia, school board members are responsible for setting educational policies, employing school personnel based on the superintendent’s recommendation, providing buildings and equipment, operating a transportation system and disbursing school funds. As community leaders, school board members serve as advocates for the children in local public schools and must study, evaluate and decide what actions are in the best interest of those students.

The Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA) sponsors the annual celebration. The mission of GSBA is to ensure excellence in the governance of local school systems by providing leadership, advocacy and services, and by representing the collective resolve of Georgia’s 180 elected boards of education. Please visit www.gsba.com for more information.

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