May 2022 bring you a renewed sense of purpose
Kentucky School Advocate
January 2022
By Davonna Page
KSBA President
“Volunteers are the only human beings on the face of the earth who reflect this nation’s compassion, unselfish caring, patience, and just plain loving one another.” – Erma Bombeck
It’s 2022! Can you believe it? It is a new year, with new opportunities, new possibilities, new challenges, new hope!
January is School Board Recognition Month in Kentucky. Everyone in public education – and certainly school board members – have earned that recognition and appreciation for their work over the past two years. Perhaps more than at any time in our history, school boards have been forced to continuously pivot and adapt to the changes brought on by the pandemic. You have shown incredible flexibility and resolve despite increased scrutiny from the public.
Each of you represents the best of your communities. You work tirelessly to learn and grow both professionally and personally. You seek information, you address concerns, you make tough decisions, and you move forward with a singular focus on providing quality educational opportunities.
You are also humble. You recognize you do not always have the answers and do not always know which way to turn, but you ask questions and you actively listen to others.
You did not seek your board seat for fame or money or prestige. Instead, you answered the call to public service out of a desire to ensure all students can achieve success through their local school system.
This Commonwealth and your communities are better because of your volunteerism, your compassion, your patience and the love you have for your students. THANK YOU!
My New Year’s wish for all of you is that 2022 brings with it a renewed sense of purpose and energy. I challenge you to once again resolve to advocate for your students and to work even harder on behalf of those you represent.
I started writing this column before the storms of Dec. 10 and 11. Like you, I have seen the footage from news broadcasts and reports on social media. I have listened to the names of the lives lost and the communities destroyed. The devastation we have experienced in western and south central Kentucky will have a lasting impact for generations to come.
Even more powerful, however, is what we saw in the days to follow the storms. We witnessed our fellow citizens – led by school districts – move mountains to support the communities hit hardest; collecting countless busloads of critical supplies while raising millions of dollars to aid in recovery efforts. The generosity and selflessness displayed by each of you and your districts in response to the crisis have clearly demonstrated the important role our public schools play.
The children of our Commonwealth and their families are at the heart of what we do as school board members. Thank you for stepping up and working so hard to meet their needs – housing, clothing, food, support and love.