January has been proclaimed School Board Recognition Month in the state of Washington, a declaration that coincides with a nationwide effort to honor and underscore the important role of elected school board members in public education and student achievement.

The proclamation, issued by Gov. Chris Gregoire, notes that “school directors play a crucial role in promoting student learning and achievement by creating a vision, establishing policies and budgets, and setting clear standards of accountability for all involved.”

There are 1,477 school board members in Washington state’s 295 public school districts, each elected by the citizens of their respective communities. The districts they lead serve more than one million students, have a combined annual budget of $6 billion, and employ nearly 100,000 people.

As “governors” of their districts, school directors contribute hundreds of volunteer hours each year making decisions aimed at promoting student achievement. School directors have a multitude of responsibilities, including vision- and goal-setting, establishing standards for what students should learn, adopting policies and budgets, and working as a team with administrators, teachers, parents, students and the community to foster a safe and productive learning environment.

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