BERRIEN SPRINGS — January is School Board Recognition Month — a time to salute the work of volunteer school board members and to celebrate public education.

School board members at Berrien Regional Education Service Agency develop policies and make tough decisions that help shape the future of the education system. They bear responsibility for an annual budget of $44 million, more than 25,000 students, 300 employees and numerous classrooms and buildings located throughout Berrien County, officials said.

Berrien RESA Superintendent Kevin M. Ivers said showing appreciation for the important work of school boards should be a year-round process. He said that too often citizens neglect to recognize the dedication and hard work of these men and women.

This January, the staff and students of Berrien RESA are asking all members of the community to take a moment and thank a school board member.

“Thank you to the men and women who dedicate countless personal hours to ensure the needs of our community are met by our public schools,” Ivers said. “We salute the public servants of Berrien RESA whose dedication and civic responsibility make local control of public schools in our community possible. We applaud them for their vision and voice to prepare today’s students to be tomorrow’s leaders.”

The men and women serving Berrien RESA and their years of service are:

• Sharon Kalling, president, serving since 1977

• Cathy Bair, vice president, serving since 1985

• Linda Holt, treasurer, serving since 1993

• Thomas Fanning, secretary, serving since 1994

• Allene Smith, trustee, serving since 2007