JARRETT GOODMAN
Staff Writer
The Marion County Board of Education were recently recognized for their work and dedication to the school system as part of this year’s School Board Appreciation Month.
During this month’s recent board meeting, Director of Schools Mark Griffith took to the floor to recognize school board members Ryan Philips, Linda Hooper, Bo Nunley, Nathan Billingsley, and Donna Blansett for their efforts and services contributing to the countywide school system. Griffith remarked how all within the school system appreciated each member for all the work they have done into representing all Marion County schools, and serving each staff member and student who are a part of each school.
“It’s a high dollar job that you all have and we want to show a little bit of gratitude,” Griffith said. “Thank you so much for standing in the gap for our kids.”
School Board Appreciation Month, celebrated every January, is a time of year which all school board members across the U.S. are recognized for their work to serving and representing all school bodies across every state. According to Kristin Karel of Diligent Corporation, nearly 95,000 active board members oversee over 50 million students across 13,000 school districts. School Board Appreciation Month not only aims to express gratitude towards each board member’s work but also to recognize their commitment to providing high standards within the education system.
During the meeting, Hooper took a moment to express how it is an honor to serve the county’s education system and all the teachers and students who are a part of each school, while also acknowledging the county housing a dedicated team of individuals who continue to strive serving the community every school year.
“It’s such an honor to be serving these children, teachers, and everybody who works in this system,” Hooper said. “We have a great group of people.”
Philips, who also serves as the chairman of the school board, also took a moment to recognize Marlene Basham of nearby Sequatchie County’s Board of Education, as she was in attendance during the recent board meeting held in Jasper. Despite Basham being a member of a separate county board, Philips ensured that all within the greater school system were recognized for their contributions to the community, regardless of which county each chairperson serves.