On Dec. 2, during the winter conference, the Georgia School Board Association’s Board Recognition Program has once again awarded the Columbia County and Richmond County boards of education with Exemplary Board titles.
In 2022, the GSBA recognized 14 Quality Boards, 11 Distinguished Boards and 60 Exemplary Boards, because each demonstrated best practices in leadership and school administration.
Since 2013, Columbia County has achieved the award six times, and Richmond County has received the status since 2019.
Richmond County Board of Education President Charlie Hannah said the award was a demonstration of the board’s effectiveness and governance to ensure a culture of success for the school system. He hopes this will encourage the community to keep moving forward in their educational progress.
“I’m personally very pleased,” said Hannah. “That’s not to say that we don’t have our challenges and disagreements, but when we put the totality of everything together we have made significant accomplishments – that’s been documented to the point where GSBA agreed that we should have this status.”
Along with an effective board, Hannah said he also attributes the success to the county’s “superior” superintendent who he believes is a strong leader that has greatly assisted in advancing the mission of the school board.
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“I think it’s a great spirit of cooperation between administration and the school board that makes it possible for us to meet the criteria for being an Exemplary Board,” he said. “There’s always room for improvement. We can always do better and we can always be better, so I think we should continue to openly and actively engage the challenges that come before us.”
Hannah said he thinks running away from community and educational challenges would prevent them from being considered an Exemplary Board, and going forward he hopes they will accept and face such problems.
“I’m just hoping that we continue to accept those challenges and don’t make any excuses, and just continue to try and make this county the best school system there is,” he said.
Chairman of the Columbia County School District’s Board of Education, David Dekle, said he accredited the board’s award to all the district’s staff, and their professionalism and hardwork. To him, the board is only one factor in a very large organization.
“It’s not like we won the Olympics or the Super Bowl, but it’s a nice recognition that kind of says, ‘This board meets the highest standards of quality for school boards across the state of Georgia,’” he said. “It’s nice to be recognized.”
Although he believes the status to be a motivational factor designed by the state, Dekle also said awards are not the leading factor in motivating their staff and board members.
“What really motivates us is our stakeholders, our students, parents, taxpayers and wanting to have the best school system possible … but I give a lot of credit to our district office, and the way they’re running things,” he said.
For more information on the program, visit the GSBA website for awards and recognition or to view the criteria for all tiers of the program.
Liz Wright is a staff writer covering education and general assignments for The Augusta Press. Reach her at liz@theaugustapress.com
