May is School Board Recognition Month and an opportunity for local schools and communities to honor Iowa’s more than 2,000 locally elected school board members for their dedication to children and schools.

Each year school board members work through complex and demanding challenges, yet few people fully understand the scope and far-reaching implications of board members’ responsibilities. All Iowa citizens should recognize the vital contributions of these elected officials and focus attention on the crucial role they play in the education of our children.

School board members come from all walks of life and wear many hats in the workday world. However, school board members put on a collective hat when they get down to business and chart the course for the future of their district and their students. Board members must pull together as a team, each offering unique perspectives toward a universal goal—a focus on student achievement to secure Iowa’s future.

The month of May is School Board Recognition Month and we want to recognize our board members who face complex and demanding challenges, yet few people fully understand the scope and far-reaching implications of board members’ responsibilities. All Iowa citizens should recognize the vital contributions of these elected officials and focus attention on the crucial role they play in the education of our children.The seven members of the College Community School District Board establish a vision for the education program, design a structure to achieve that vision, ensure schools are accountable to the community and to families, strongly advocate continuous improvement in student learning, and create a positive culture for the entire district. To accomplish these goals, board members contribute thousands of hours each year leading their districts. Whether it be crafting policies, hiring administrators, listening to staff, student, and family concerns, or advocating with legislators, board members always strive to build a solid foundation toward the goal of high student achievement.

Our School Board members are deeply involved in community and school activities; they read and study countless reports, agendas, proposals and other information to guide difficult decisions. Their commitment to the students, staff, families and community served by the College Community School District drives board members’ desire to help ensure the best educational opportunities for all students.

Please join us by saying “thank you” to our school board members for their service and commitment to all Prairie students.