ROME, GA—The Rome City Schools Board of Education has received the Georgia School Board Association (GSBA) Distinguished Board Recognition for FY22.
As one of 11 Distinguished Boards across the state, the recognition is the result of high-level commitment, consistent accountability and clear goals.
“Everyone is on the same page moving forward and it sets the tone for the district,” RCS Board Chairperson Jill Fisher said. “Earning this distinction demonstrates the quality of the Strategic Plan, how well the system follows it, and the commitment of our board members for constantly pursuing board development and best practices.”
The GSBA Board Recognition Program is a three-tier process that challenges boards to achieve the highest levels of governance while creating a culture of success for both students and communities.
Each recognition tier (Quality, Distinguished and Exemplary) is achieved depending on the satisfaction of several criteria. The criteria range from Strategic Plan to Board Training to Ethics.
“The board has worked hard to incorporate 11 of the Georgia Vision Project’s school district recommendations into the Strategic Plan for RCS,” Fisher explained. “It incorporates community input, self-evaluation and a scorecard to keep track of the progress for each Strategic Goal. The majority of the board also earns additional credit hours above the requirements for continuing education in board member development.”
The Distinguished Board recognition is a familiar one for RCS. Fisher affirmed that the board received the recognition for the 2019-2020 school year. The board did not apply for the recognition for the 2020-2021 school year.
“We are pleased to have applied and been recognized as a Distinguished Board for the school year 2021-2022,” Fisher said. “I am extremely proud of our board and the hard work of each board member to earn this high level of distinction for RCS Board of Education. Each board member is dedicated to Rome City Schools and wants only the best for our students, our faculty and staff, and community stakeholders.”
The RCS Board of Education will be honored during the 2022 GSBA/GSSA Annual Conference at the Renaissance Waverly Hotel in Atlanta, Dec. 1-2, 2022.
“Education is the great equalizer and no one can take it from you,” Fisher added. “It’s an outstanding privilege to serve our community in this way and I think my fellow board members feel the same way. We are committed to working together as a team because there are lives depending on it.”
RCS board members include Fisher, Vice-Chair Will Byington, Toni Blanchard, Faith Collins, Dr. Melissa Davis, Pascha Burge, and Alvin Jackson.
“I'm honored to serve with such great leaders,” Superintendent Dr. Eric L. Holland said. “We come in as individuals but work together as a team. Another great example of ‘no one of us is as great as all of us.’ Our board members have worked tirelessly to make RCS extraordinary. This recognition is a perfect example of extraordinary people working together to do extraordinary things.”
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