The Douglas County Board of Education received the Governance Team of the Year Award from the Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA) today during the GSBA Annual Conference in Atlanta. According to GSBA, the Governance Team of the Year Award celebrates the exceptional board/superintendent team that exemplifies a deep commitment to advancing student achievement and bolstering community trust and support for public education.
"This recognition recognizes our board's dedication to excellence in governance and student success," said Board Chair Tracy Rookard. "We remain focused on making decisions that positively impact every student in Douglas County. This award reflects our board's commitment and the collaborative spirit between our governance team, administrators, teachers, and staff.
Superintendent Trent North acknowledged the significance of maintaining this high standard. "Earning Exemplary status for six consecutive years and now being recognized as Governance Team of the Year demonstrates our board's consistent commitment to effective leadership and strategic vision," said North. "Our Board members have consistently demonstrated excellence in strategic planning, fiscal responsibility, and ethical governance. These skills enable us to fulfill our mission of providing every student with a first-class education."
The Board of Education includes Chair Tracy Rookard, Vice Chair D.T. Jackson, and Board members Ruth Morgan, Michelle Simmons and Glenn Easterwood.
The GSBA Governance Team Recognition Program, developed by Georgia superintendents and board members, evaluates school boards through a rigorous three-tier system focused on advancing student achievement through best practices in school governance and leadership. Criteria are based on the state board of education's standards for effective governance. All finalists undergo a thorough vetting process, including a comprehensive application review and interviews conducted by an impartial review team. This team consists of national experts who perform various leadership roles in the field of public education, ensuring a fair and rigorous evaluation process.
During today's awards ceremony, GSBA also recognized five Quality boards, five Distinguished boards, and 69 Exemplary boards for 2024, with Douglas County standing out for its consistent excellence over the past six years.