In honor of school boards’ commitment to our students, schools and communities, January is once again designated School Director Recognition Month.
Pennsylvania public schools educate nearly 2 million students, including the Forest Area School District. The nine members of each local school board are a vital part of the district’s administrative team, making informed decisions that lead public schools and provide opportunities for every student to succeed.
School directors, who are unpaid, devote an average of 10 hours each month to the challenging and complex responsibilities of board business, including voting on budgets, adopting policy and conducting comprehensive planning. Their role has only been made more challenging by the ongoing effects of the pandemic and related issues that impact the well-being of our students and families.
The Forest Area School Board, also has taken the step of adopting the PSBA Principles for Governance and Leadership – a framework of action steps designed to increase boards’ effectiveness. Research shows that school board actions have a direct effect on student achievement. Therefore, it is crucial that boards engage in actions the increase their effectiveness, for the betterment of the students they serve.
Go to https://www.psba.org/about/governance/principles/ to read the Principles and to see a list of Pennsylvania public school boards that have adopted them.