KSBA congratulates and thanks Kentucky's 872 local board of education members during the January observance of School Board Recognition Month.

"The month of January has become a time for Kentuckians --and, in fact, for people in many other states -- to offer their 'Thank yous' to the men and women who serve on our local boards of education," said KSBA President and Lincoln County board member Tom Blankenship. "Allow me to add my own nod of appreciation to the 871 other local board members in Kentucky's 174 school districts. Your work on behalf of your children, your staff and your community deserves a year-round salute, because those labors represent 12 months of study, choices and decisions."

Education Commissioner Terry Holliday also saluted board members for their service to children and their communities.

"Leaders make a difference and school board members make a real difference with their long-term policy implications for education," Holliday said in a video interview posted to the KSBA website. "The local school board is so important to represent the voice and the political will of the community.

"It's critical for the school board members to be the eyes and ears of the community," the commissioner said. "The school board sets the vision for the future of the system. Their second most important job is to hire a superintendent to implement that vision through their policies."

You may view the full interview with Holliday on the home page of the KSBA website or at this link 2012 SBRM video http://www.ksba.org/VideoArchive.aspx.

Again, thanks to all Kentucky school board members for your endeavors on behalf of students, parents, schools, teaching and learning in the Commonwealth.