Commentary: Wisconsin School Board Appreciation Week underway

Editor’s note: The following information has been released for publication by the superintendents from the school districts of Fort Atkinson, Jefferson, Johnson Creek, Lake Mills, Waterloo, Watertown and Whitewater.

October 1-7 is Wisconsin School Board Appreciation Week. The superintendents from Fort Atkinson, Jefferson, Johnson Creek, Lake Mills, Waterloo, Watertown, and Whitewater are joining together to celebrate and honor local board members for their commitment to our school districts and the children and families they serve.

The seven area superintendents share the belief that strong schools build strong communities, and the people serving on our school boards devote countless hours to making sure our schools are helping every child learn at a higher level. Boards make tough decisions every month and spend many hours studying education issues and regulations to provide the accountability our communities expect.

The key work of school boards is to raise student achievement by creating a vision for what the community wants the school district to be and for making student achievement the top priority, while establishing standards for what students will be expected to learn and be able to do. Boards ensure progress is measured to be sure the district’s goals are achieved and students are learning at expected levels. They also must be accountable for their decisions and actions by continually tracking and reporting results.

Additionally, school boards create a safe, orderly climate where students can learn and teachers can teach, forming partnerships with others in the community to solve common problems. And, they focus attention on the need for continuous improvement by questioning, refining, and revising issues related to student achievement.

School board members give the Cambridge, Fort Atkinson, Jefferson, Johnson Creek, Lake Mills, Waterloo, Watertown, and Whitewater community members a voice in education decision making. Although a special effort to show appreciation takes place in October, their contribution is a year-round commitment.