News Detail
Thank You — January is School Director Recognition Month
District Wide
January 08, 2021 | Community
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (JANUARY 19, 2021) — In honor of school boards’ commitment to our students, schools and communities, January is once again designated School Director Recognition Month.
During the Jan. 29 school board, district administration shared a video that pays tribute to the school board members with thanks paid to them by students themselves.
Pennsylvania public schools educate nearly 2 million students and 4,801 are in the Williamsport Area School District. The nine members of each local school board are a key part of the district’s administrative team, making informed decisions that shape public schools and provide a pathway to success for every student.
On average, school directors, who are unpaid, devote up to 10 hours per month to the challenging and complex responsibilities of board business, including adopting policy, voting on budgets, evaluating school security issues and reviewing hiring decisions.
The impact of the coronavirus pandemic has added an additional challenge to school boards, as they determine how best to provide for the needs of students and their families in this new environment.
The Williamsport 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. According to research by education research firm CRA, school board actions have a direct effect on student achievement. Therefore, it is crucial that boards engage in actions that increase their effectiveness, for the betterment of the students they serve.
To the members of the Williamsport Area School Board, thank you for your dedication and service to our students and school community!