By Dave Prescott, District 241 Superintendent

School board members are often described as having the most important volunteer jobs in the country,

facing the toughest challenge in elected American government.

Yet they are just ordinary citizens with extraordinary dedication to our nation’s public schools.

They come from all walks of life.

School board members are farmers, secretaries, doctors, law enforcement officers, homemakers, business owners and real estate agents, just to name a few of the professions they take time from to serve our community’s students.

Their job is to establish a vision for the education program, design a structure to achieve that vision, ensure schools are accountable to the community and strongly advocate continuous improvement in student achievement.

That job entails an endless string of meetings and school functions to attend; reams of reports, agendas, proposals and other information to read and study; and a host of difficult decisions to make.

Although they wear many hats in the workaday world, school board members put on a collective hat when they get down to the business of leading their school districts.

Board members must pull together as a team toward a common goal &045; helping students achieve.

Though they may individually disagree on certain issues, their role as a board is to consistently strive toward that goal of increasing student achievement.

Board members contribute hundreds and hundreds of hours each year leading their districts. Whether it be crafting policies, hiring top-notch administrators, listening to staff and students’ concerns or recognizing outstanding programs, board members always keep their eye on the goal of student achievement and success.

The time spent in board meetings represents just a small fraction of the hours school board members spend as district leaders.

They also work hard at seminars and training sessions to keep abreast of the latest trends in educational leadership.

They are deeply involved in community activities and spend many hours in the schools and at extracurricular events.

Their love for learning and their concern and caring for students, staff and community, drives board members’ desire to lead so that students can achieve.

In recognition of their dedicated service, Feb. 27 through March 3 is designated as School Board Recognition Week.

This is a time to show our appreciation and begin to better understand how local board members work together to provide a better future for our children.

Please join me and others from throughout District 241 to salute the men and women who provide grassroots governance of our public schools.

The school board members of the Albert Lea Area Schools are: Ken Petersen, Bill Leland, Margie Thorn, Tom Eaton, Jolinda Schreiber and Bill Villarreal.

Please make a special effort to tell each of them that his or her hard work has been noticed and is truly

appreciated.

Thank you.