**WBCH provides this space for area school superintendents to highlight news in their districts. This posting is from Maple Valley Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Falcon.
School Board Appreciation Month: “School Boards Lead”
January is School Board Recognition Month and Maple Valley is joining 541 local and 56 intermediate school districts across the state to thank these community volunteers for their untiring dedication to public education.
Our boards of education, and the hundreds like it across the state, preserve the core of our democracy—public education. They ensure that people we’ve elected to represent our community’s values, culture and circumstances make decisions on school programming.
Showing appreciation for the important work of school boards should be a year-round process, but too often we neglect to recognize the dedication and hard work of these men and women who represent us. This January, the staff and students of our district are asking all members of the community to take a moment and thank a school board member.
It’s an exciting and challenging time in public education. School board members in Maple Valley Schools develop policies and make tough decisions that help shape the future of our education system.
They bear responsibility for an annual budget of $10.7 million, 1,020 students, and 110 employees. They are citizens whose decisions affect our children and build our communities.
In 2015, this Board of Education has demonstrated tremendous courage in supporting and cultivating the education of our young people. Collaborating with stakeholders, the board developed and implemented a strategic plan including a mission and vision statement along with four goal areas:
Mission Statement:
Maple Valley Schools will provide a nurturing environment that creates productive citizens with lifelong learning skills.
Vision Statement:
Maple Valley Schools will provide learning through innovative opportunities while nurturing for success.
Strategic Focus Areas:
Student Achievement
Technology
Communication
Finance/Operations/Facilities
The men and women serving Maple Valley Schools:
Mark Rushford – President – 2 years
Andi Montgomery – Vice President
Michelle Dunkelberger, Secretary – 2 years
Robert Franks, Treasurer – 2 years
Tim Burd, Trustee – 10 years
Brian Green, Trustee – 4 years
Craig Lackscheide, Trustee – 2 years
