Few positions are more demanding, rewarding and essential than that of a school board member.
And in the face of an ongoing pandemic, and the succession of challenges it poses, this volunteer service becomes even more commendable and worthy of recognition. Through it all, the health and safety of students as well as staff remain front and center of the actions of the District 60 Board of Education.
While our Board meets but twice a month, the hours and energy its members expend – nearly all behind the scenes and thus out of the public view – for the sake of children and their education is rarely without pause.
It is, for the most part, a job that comes with little thanks but no shortage of criticism from those who fail to understand the monumental scope and seriousness of this critical work. The decisions school board members have to make are sometimes extremely difficult, which further illustrates the commitment and dedication members must possess to serve.
Our school board represents a link between the community, stakeholders and the classroom. Board members play a vital role in establishing policies and guidelines that serve as the foundation of the District, and in turn, the future of thousands of children.
We are proud to say that our Board members boast decades of experience in the educational and professional arenas. This experience, coupled with a genuine desire to see our children excel, is what distinguishes the District 60 Board of Education and should provide a deep level of confidence within the District family and community at large.
It’s for all these reasons, and more, that every January is celebrated as School Board Recognition Month.
Appropriately, this year’s theme is “Rising Up,” which acknowledges the energy, determination and resilience school board members continue to display in the face of an ongoing pandemic. As the landscape of the pandemic continually shifts, board members have had to remain flexible and adaptable in the most trying of circumstances.
In acknowledgment of School Board Appreciation Month, Governor Jared Polis issued an official Proclamation, which was read by Director of Communication Dalton Sprouse at Tuesday’s regular meeting of the D60 Board of Education.
“School board members are extraordinary people who invest many hours of volunteer work to tackle the enormous job of governing our school districts and whose actions and decisions help impact the present and future lives of young Coloradans,” the Governor’s Proclamation reads. “The steadfast dedication of school board members across our state should be recognized and commended.”
Director Sprouse then directly addressed the Board: President Dr. Margaret Wright, Vice President Tommy Farrell, and members Barb Clementi, Dr. Kathy DeNiro and Dr. Matthew Cranswick.
“Board members, on behalf of every student and staff member, we can’t thank you enough for your commitment, dedication and guidance in our school district: especially in these times,” Director Sprouse began. “For you all to spend your own time, your own resources, and many, many hours volunteering to support our students – and you do it so well.
“We are so fortunate to have a board that is focused on the betterment of the youth of our community, and we can’t thank you enough for all that you do.”
Superintendent Charlotte Macaluso also expressed her personal gratitude.
“The words that really stuck out to me are ‘extraordinary individuals,’” Superintendent Macaluso offered. “I feel so incredibly grateful to be able to serve our community beside you. I don’t think there is any greater service you can be involved in, other than to contribute to the future: and students are our future.
“I want you to know that you are valued and appreciated.”
In gratefully accepting the Governor’s Proclamation, Board President Dr. Margaret Wright noted that the D60 Board of Education, together with colleagues from the Pueblo County School District 70 Board of Education, recently met with Governor Polis to discuss issues of importance as related to the two school districts.
“He was genuinely interested in what we are interested in,” Dr. Wright said. “The whole meeting was to say, ‘What can we do for you?’ And so I was grateful for that.”
