Davis County Recognizes Leaders During School Board Recognition Month
The Iowa Association of School Boards has designated May as School Board Recognition Month, this year recognizing their work in ‘Leading Through Uncharted Waters.’ As citizen leaders, Davis County board members 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. Over the past year, leadership at the board table has come with challenges and decisions no one could have anticipated. School boards have made tough choices that impact the health and safety of students, staff, and the school community, while continuing to prioritize student achievement and educational equity.
School board members come from all walks of life. Serving on the Davis County board are business leaders, a retired teacher, farmers, etc. Although they wear many hats in the workday world, school board members put on a collective hat when they get down to the business and innovation of charting the course for their school district. Board members must pull together as a team toward a universal goal—helping students achieve their potential.
The seven members of the Davis County board establish a vision for the education program, design a structure to achieve that vision, ensure schools are accountable to the community, strongly advocate continuous improvement in student learning, and create a positive atmosphere 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 and student concerns, or advocating with legislators, board members always keep their eyes on the goal of student achievement. The time spent in board meetings represents just a small fraction of the hours school board members spend leading in their districts. They attend seminars and training sessions to keep current on the latest trends in educational leadership; are deeply involved in community and school activities; and they create, read and study countless reports, agendas, proposals and other information to guide difficult decisions. Their love for learning and their commitment to the students, staff and community served by the Davis County drives board members’ desire to help students set sail.
Join your community in saying ‘thank you’ to Rod Lynch (President), Alan Bodkins (Vice President), Sheryl Wright, Doug Dixon, Nancy Hougland, Josh O’Dell, and Joni Helton for leading Davis County’s next generation through uncharted waters and recognizing their efforts throughout the year. On May 1, or after, you may also visit the district Facebook page ‘Davis County Community Schools’ and leave a comment on our School Board post.