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School Board recognized by district in honor of School Board Recognition Month

The 2017 Manchester Community Schools Board of Education. Photo courtesy of Manchester Community Schools.

January is School Board Recognition Month and Manchester Community Schools is joining 540 local and 56 intermediate school districts across the state to thank these community volunteers for their untiring dedication to public education.

School board members, Chris Fegan, Mike Austin, Rebecca Harvey, Dara Psarouthakis and newly elected Tom Mann, Jeremy Koch and Karen Rothfuss, received special recognition and a certificate of gratitude at the January 16th board meeting. Manchester’s school board members bear responsibility and oversight for an annual budget of over $11 million, 1,040 students, 125 employees, and 4 buildings, as well as developing policies and making tough decisions that continually shape the future of our education system.

“Serving on a school board has been described as the ‘toughest volunteer job in America.’ Yet Michigan public school board members dedicate countless personal hours to attending meetings, school functions, and hours of preparation for the decisions they make. On top of that, many pursue their own professional development to stay on top of the ever-changing education landscape,” said Cherie Vannatter, Superintendent. “We proudly join educators and community members in saluting these education advocates as they provide vision and leadership for student achievement, academic programs, district funding and school facilities.”

“They preserve the core of our democracy—public education.”

by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and a founder of the Manchester Mirror.