RCPS joins statewide celebration of School Board members

CONYERS, GA–Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) is joining in a statewide celebration this week to salute the efforts of local school board members. The week of March 15-19, 2021 has been proclaimed School Board Appreciation Week in Georgia. The weeklong observance calls attention to the contributions of local boards of education.

Superintendent Terry Oatts  commended the board’s hard work.

“We appreciate the hard work and dedication of all members of our Board of Education. This award-winning board has earned the Georgia School Boards Association’s Exemplary Board designation for each eligible year, a total of five times, and has won the Leading Edge Award for the past two consecutive years. Our board members are engaged in the community and regularly attend school and district events and activities throughout the year. During this past year, our Board of Education has provided the necessary support and resources to operate during an unprecedented pandemic and public health crisis. We have continued teaching and learning in a remote learning environment; we have distributed over 2 million meals to students while learning remotely; and we have maintained normal work calendars for all staff. We are truly thankful for their efforts to keep RCPS a great place to go to school and a great place to work.” Said Oatts.

Board members are elected to be the community’s voice on education and represent a continuous commitment to local control and decision-making in education.

The men and women serving our school district and their years of service are:

Mandy North (Chair)                  8 years (January 2013)

Pamela J. Brown (Vice Chair)      4 years (January 2017)

Wales Barksdale                         16 years (January 2005)

Heather Duncan                         4 years (January 2017)

Sandra Jackson-Lett                    2 years (January 2019)

Jim McBrayer                            8 years (Jan. 2010-Dec. 2018, April 2020)

Akita Parmer                             3 months (January 2021)

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.

The Georgia School Boards Association sponsors the celebration. The mission of GSBA 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. Please visit www.gsba.com for more information.