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As ordinary people who come from all walks of life, School Board members work on a volunteer basis to both support students and represent their communities when it comes to public education. Each school board brings together a group of members working together with the common goal of helping students to learn, grow, and overcome the challenges as well as the triumphs of their educational journeys. Our school board members often face many complex and demanding challenges, especially across the past few years as they supported our educators and students in meeting the hurdles of COVID and lockdown.
January is School Board Recognition Month, which gives us the opportunity to thank and recognize their efforts. It was originally created by the National School Boards Association in 1995, and 2025 marks the 29th anniversary of School Board Recognition Month, providing us with an important opportunity to salute the talented, dedicated, and people on Washington's 295 locally elected school boards, as well as the nine elected educational service district boards who are the core of the public education governance system in Washington state.
While most think of school board meetings when board members come to mind, in reality, those meetings constitute just some of their many obligations and priorities. School board members also dedicate extensive time to everything from participating in school and community events and activities, to research, attention, and training on current events, educational methods, and legislation, as well as in attending conferences, seminars, and more.
Working closely to bridge the concerns of parents and educators while also maintaining public accountability, school boards have been called by many the community’s caretakers when it comes to public education. Their members work diligently behind the scenes to make the educational experience as inspirational, meaningful, and useful as possible for students as well as those who teach and support them.
School Board Recognition Month provides us with a terrific moment in which to recognize these untiring and dedicated individuals and their work in bringing leadership to our schools. Bridging the worlds of parents, teachers, educators, administrators, students, and school leaders, school boards help us all continue to work for the brightest possible future.
Take a moment to share a story, shine a spotlight, or thank a local school board member today!