Fayette County joining statewide school board appreciation week

The Fayette County Public School System is joining a statewide celebration to salute the efforts of local school board members during School Board Appreciation Week March 16-20.

As constitutional officers of Georgia, school board members are responsible for setting educational policies, employing school personnel, providing buildings and equipment, operating a transportation system, and disbursing school funds. As community leaders, school board members serve as advocates for the children in local public schools, and must study, evaluate, and decide what actions are in the best interest of those students.

Fayette’s school board members are Marion Key, Post 3 (chairman); Dan Colwell, Post 2 (vice-chair); Diane Basham, Post 4; Dr. Barry Marchman, Post 1; and Leonard Presberg, Post 5.

“Citizens elect board members to represent the community’s voice on education matters, and to set the vision for the school district,” said Fayette County School Superintendent Dr. Joseph Barrow. “Our board spends countless hours fulfilling its responsibilities, and working together to continually improve our education system. As the persons citizens elect to represent them in education matters, school boards represent a continuing commitment to local citizen control and decision making in education.”

The Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA) sponsors the celebration. The GSBA mission is to ensure excellence in the governance of local school systems by providing leadership, advocacy and services, and by representing the collective resolve of Georgia’s 180 elected boards of education.