Professional development amongst the board pays off
JACKSON, Tenn. - The Jackson-Madison County School Board was recognized this month at the Tennessee School Boards Association Fall Meeting for achievements in professional growth. Six of the eight school board members were presented multiple Boardsmanship Awards.
“The board is responsible for creating policies related to many areas such as curriculum, budget management, student safety, and teacher training. In order to make informed decisions and keep up with current trends, it’s important that we keep up with our professional development and training,” said School Board Chairman James “Pete” Johnson.
The TSBA Boardsmanship Awards are presented to individual board members who have achieved one of five levels of boardsmanship standards over the past year. The program is designed to recognize school board members for participation in board activities beyond the local level through a commitment to training, willingness to participate in workshops and a volunteer spirit. The Boardsmanship Award honors not only the quantity, but also the quality of participation. Levels I-IV are given at Fall District Meetings, while Level V Boardsmanship is awarded at the association’s annual convention in November.
“Professional development is crucial for school board members to fulfill their roles effectively, make informed decisions, and ensure that the educational system continues to evolve and improve for the benefit of students in the districts they serve,” said Superintendent Dr. Marlon King.
Superintendent King places a high value on supporting Board member training and giving members ample opportunities to network and learn. Updates on policy, legislative and legal issues change frequently, so Board members must participate in opportunities for professional growth in order to stay abreast of new developments.
“All of the professional development opportunities are educational and so important to keep the board educated and fluent around ideas and strategies to improve student outcomes. I realize that professional development opportunities are not just for students and staff, they are for the Board as well, as to the reason our BELIEVERS UNITE campaign is essential to our continued momentum,” said Superintendent King.
JMCSS Board members will continue to invest time and energy in activities that will help them stay updated and informed. This will ensure they can continue to effectively advocate for the needs of the district and contribute to the success of students and the community. This week the Board will engage in its Fall Board Retreat where the 5-Year Strategic Plan will be discussed, revisited and/or amended.
