Re: Special Week Honors Georgia’s School Board Members

Contact: Donna Golden ph. 706-253-1700

Pickens County Schools is joining in a statewide celebration this week to salute the efforts of local school board members. The week of March 12-16, 2007, has been proclaimed School Board Member Appreciation Week in Georgia. The week-long observance calls attention to the contributions of members of local boards of education.

“Citizens elect board members to represent the community’s voice on education matters and to set vision for the school district,” said Superintendent Mike Ballew. “Our board spends countless hours fulfilling its responsibilities and this is our opportunity to say thank you as a community for their public service.

“Because they are elected officials, they represent a continuing commitment to local citizen control and decision-making in education,” said Superintendent Mike Ballew.

The Pickens County Board of Education members are: Chairman John T. Trammell, in his third year of service; Vice-chairman Jerry Chastain, in his third year of service; G. Mark Mitton, in his fifth year of service; Ervin Easterwood, in his fifth year of service; and Shane Neighbors in his first year of service.

As constitutional officers of Georgia, school board members are responsible for setting educational policies, employing school personnel, 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), sponsor of the celebration, is a voluntary statewide organization of local boards of education. GSBA serves as an advocate for the interest of the state’s public school students and local school boards. GSBA also provides in-service training and technical assistance to Georgia’s local school systems and school board members. Information about GSBA is available at www.gsba.com.

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