School Board Recognition Month: Model news release for education service districts

You may reproduce this news release on district letterhead and submit it to your local newspapers, radio and television stations. You may also want to send it to the Chamber of Commerce newsletter editor and the newsletter editors for other community organizations. Be sure to add information about special recognition you’re planning for your ESD's board members.

News Release

(Date)
(Contact person, phone number and email address)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Community celebrates ‘School Board Recognition Month’

The (Name) Education Service District will join school districts, education service districts and community colleges throughout Oregon to celebrate January as “School Board Recognition Month,” Superintendent (first and last name) announced (date/day of week).

“Our board members spend countless hours of unpaid time working to provide the best possible education for our students,” said ESD Superintendent (last name). “They also serve as the corporate board of directors for one of our community’s largest employers. Celebrating School Board Recognition Month is one way to say thanks for all they do.”

“Too often the efforts of school board members go unrecognized,” (superintendent’s last name) said.

Education service district boards exist to meet the diverse education needs of the school districts and students in their regions, (superintendent’s last name) added. To achieve that goal, the ESD board focuses on the following needs:

• Providing vital, innovative and cost-effective strategies to meet the needs in their regions;
• Helping establish the vision for educational excellence in what students should know and be able to do;    
• Being accountable to the community for assisting the districts they serve to increase student achievement;
• Creating a climate that supports the philosophy that all children can learn, targeting resources, strategies and services to students who need special help to reach this goal;
• Building collaborative relationships based on trust, teamwork and shared accountability; and
• Being committed to continuous education and training on issues related to best practices in education services for their districts.

(Add a paragraph or two describing the special ways you will recognize your ESD board members during School Board Recognition Month.)

“Even though we are making a special effort during January to show appreciation for our ESD board members, we recognize their contributions reflect a year-round effort on their part. They are dedicated individuals who are committed to improving student achievement and to fighting for the best for all of our students,” (superintendent’s last name) said.