Scaling new heights in public education: School Board Recognition Month 2026 recap
Reaching new heights takes vision, commitment and teamwork. Each January, Ohio school districts celebrate School Board Recognition Month, honoring the board members whose leadership drives student success and strengthens Ohio public education.
School board members play a vital role in guiding their districts forward — setting direction, supporting innovation and ensuring every student’s needs remain at the forefront. From local schools to career centers and educational service centers, communities honored their board members through special recognitions at meetings, newsletter features, social media tributes and heartfelt notes of appreciation.
The moments featured here represent just a few of the hundreds of celebrations held statewide. OSBA joins communities across Ohio in thanking school board members for their steady leadership and their daily commitment to helping students reach the summit.
Below are just a few of the ways districts thanked their school board members.
At their January meeting, Perrysburg EV board members received handwritten notes and an appreciation banner from the district’s students and employees.
In an opt-ed in the Clermont Sun, West Clermont Local (Clermont) Superintendent David Fultz recognized the leadership of the district's school board members, noting that their work was recently recognized at the state level when the board received OSBA's Ohio Boards of Distinction Award in 2025.
Bay Village City board members received tokens of appreciation to honor their service, including thank-you cards from second graders at Normandy Elementary School and logo socks, night-lights and coffee mugs made by students in Bay Middle School's Makerspace program.
In an op-ed submitted to several community newspapers, Southern Ohio ESC Superintendent Curt Bradshaw thanked the governing board members for their giving the community a voice in education decision-making and for their steady leadership, which guides the ESC's work, ensuring it can continue to deliver "innovative solutions that support student success and strong school districts."
Belpre City students colored pictures for board appreciation month, which were given to the district's school board members during a monthly meeting.
Fairborn City board members were recognized by leadership from each of the district's buildings and given artwork, blankets and quarter-zips to thank them for their service.
Canton Local (Stark) middle school students created a special thank-you video to share their appreciation for the district's board members. The video was posted on the district's social media platforms.
While recognizing the district’s board members, Copley-Fairlawn City Director of Instruction Deborah Allen noted that their work has a profound impact. "Whether navigating budgetary decisions, shaping policy or ensuring our students' needs are met, you help our district scale new heights with integrity, courage and a shared vision of excellence," she said.
Fremont City board members received gifts in honor of their service, including a framed picture signed by the district's administrative staff and a thank-you candy basket.
Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools shared social media posts that highlighted each member and their contributions to the district, along with a collective message from Edison Elementary School Principal Nancy Tracz, who expressed gratitude for the board's efforts in “maintaining a cohesive environment that keeps our focus where it belongs — on our children.”
Jefferson County JVS celebrated its school board on social media, thanking its board members for their dedication, leadership and service in support of the district’s students, staff and school community.
Kenston Local (Geauga) staff and students shared messages of appreciation during the school board's monthly meeting.
An article by Dublin City Public Information Officer Cassie Dietrich provided an educational look into what school boards do for their districts, outlining the board's duties, collaborations and decision-making strategies. The board's work, she wrote, impacts every child by setting clear expectations for learning environments, safety, support and opportunities across the district, and January offers "a statwide moment to acknowledge and better understand a form of public service that affects every child in every community."
Shelby City Superintendent Michael Browning recognized the district’s board members for their work in a submitted new article, noting that serving on a school board requires "navigating complex challenges, making thoughtful decisions and balancing the needs of students, staff and the community. ...Their efforts reflect what makes Shelby such a special place to live and learn."
Districts that recognized their school boards at board meetings or on social media include
- Ada EV
- Beaver Local (Columbiana)
- Boardman Local (Mahoning)
- Buckeye Local (Jefferson)
- Cleveland Heights-University Heights City
- Continental Local (Putnam)
- East Palestine City
- Hillsboro City
- Holgate Local (Henry)
- Howland Local (Trumbull)
- Indian Creek Local (Jefferson)
- Liberty Center Local (Henry)
- Liberty Local (Trumbull)
- Lincolnview Local (Van Wert)
- Lisbon EV
- Mid-Ohio ESC
- Monroe Local (Butler)
- Mount Gilead EV
- North Canton City
- North Royalton City
- Northmor Local (Morrow)
- Ontario Local (Richland)
- Painesville City Local (Lake)
- Pickaway County ESC
- Polaris Career Center
- Reynoldsburg City
- Ripley Union Lewis Huntington Local (Brown)
- Sandusky City
- Southwest Local (Hamilton)
- Tri-County North Local (Preble)
- Tri-Village Local (Darke)
- Tuscarawas Valley Local (Tuscarawas)
- Van Wert City
- Washington Court House City
- Wauseon EV
- Weathersfield Local (Trumbull)
- Wellington EV