Dear Editor:

The month of January marks the annual observance of School Board Recognition Month – a time to salute the important role and dedication of board members in their volunteer work and celebrate public education.

In Alva Public Schools, school board members must develop policies and make tough decisions on complex educational and social issues impacting the entire community. They bear responsibility for an annual budget of approximately $17 million, 1030 students, 171 employees and five school sites. They carry out the truest form of representative government in our democracy – volunt...