Meridian Board honored as one of the best in state
STILLMAN VALLEY – Meridian’s Board of Education is one of 24 districts in the state of Illinois to receive the Illinois School Board Governance Recognition.
There are more than 850 school districts in the state of Illinois. More impressive is the fact the board has received the award in consecutive award cycles. As a result of the recognition, Illinois Association of School Board (IASB) members formally presented Meridian Board members with the award at the IASB fall Northwest Division meeting hosted by Meridian on Oct. 29. The Board will again receive recognition at the state conference in November.
The "School Board Governance Recognition" program acknowledges school boards that learn and practice effective governance behaviors as identified in IASB's Foundational Principles of Effective Governance, through participation in and support for board development programs and events. The primary focus of this program is on full board development and participation rather than individual board member efforts. Effective school boards understand that excellence in local school board governance requires full board commitment to obtaining the knowledge, skills and abilities critical to good governance
Meridian CUSD 223 Board President John Smith, who has also been awarded as the state-wide winner of an award recognizing the top school board president each year in the state of Illinois, said he believes the success of the Meridian board is built on two principles. First, the board values each other and views their relationships with each other, the leadership team, all faculty and staff, and the community as vitally important to their success. Second, the board views it as their responsibility to model the behavior they desire. Therefore, they focus on what they have committed to as important and continue their own professional learning in order to support their cause.
“I am incredibly proud of my peers and their dedication to the district,” he said. “We have come a long way and will continue to grow so that we may better serve our district and community.”
“This recognition consistently goes to the top two or three percent of Boards in the entire state,” said Meridian Superintendent, Dr. PJ Caposey. “To receive this recognition in back to back cycles is incredibly impressive, and hopefully validating, for the members of the board. Their hard work at a volunteer position is nothing short of awe inspiring.”
Pictured from left are: Dr. PJ Caposey, Dr. Tim Flynn, Matt Rhodes, Tim Devries, John Smith, Kristine Youman, Marsha Welden, Jill Huber, Tom Neely (IASB Vice President)
