The Lowndes County School District will join districts across the state to thank school board members during School Board Member Recognition Week, Feb. 13-19, for their leadership and service to local school districts and communities.

More than 750 Mississippians are members of local school boards. Lowndes County School District school board members are responsible for setting the vision and goals for the district.

They strive to provide quality education for nearly 5,300 students in the district.

The school board sets district goals, adopts policies, evaluates district progress and hires quality educators all while keeping the interests of their students, staff and community first.

The job requirements can include deciding tough, often emotional issues such as school closings, the calendar, dress codes and attendance boundaries; and regularly receiving calls, texts and emails about parent and community concerns and complaints. It is easy to see that school board members persist in working on behalf of the children, with high student achievement at the focus of their decisions. Local school board member service continues to be a job best done from a heartfelt desire to improve children’s education.

“Our school board does an incredible job in providing leadership and oversight for our school district. It is evident the motivation for each one’s service is the betterment of the schools in their community and our district. Over the last couple of years these positions and the decisions laid in front of them have been very controversial across our nation. Our board has done a great job at looking at all sides of an issue and moving forward with what they feel is best for students,” said Sam Allison, Lowndes County School District superintendent.

Those serving on Lowndes County School District School Board are:

•  Jane Kilgore, president, began service Sept. 3, 2002
• Wesley Barrett, vice president, began service Jan. 1, 2013
• Robert Barksdale, secretary, began service January 1, 2007
• Brian Clark, began service Jan. 1, 2011
• Jacqueline Gray, began service Jan. 13, 2003
• Jeff Smith, board attorney, began Oct. 31, 1990

During School Board Member Recognition Week in Mississippi, Lowndes County School District encourages students, staff, community members and the general public to join in honoring board members for their dedication and commitment to the children of Lowndes County schools.