January is School Board Recognition Month and Edwarsburg Public Schools is joining 541 local and 56 intermediate school districts across the state to thank these community volunteers for their dedication to public education.

“Serving on a school board has been described as the ‘toughest volunteer job in America. Yet, Michigan’s public school board members dedicate countless personal hours to attending meetings, school functions and hours of preparation for the decisions they make,” said Sherman Ostrander, superintendent of Edwardsburg Public Schools. “On top of that, many pursue their own professional development to stay on top of the ever-changing education landscape. Collectively, school board members in Michigan have spent more than 7,500 hours attending training and professional development. They’re dedicated individuals who are committed to the continuing success of our schools and students.”

Ostrander said that it is an exciting and challenging time in public education. School board members in Edwardsburg Public Schools develop policies and make tough decision that help shape the future of the education system.

They bear responsibility and oversight for an annual budget of approximately $23 million, 2,700 plus students, 266 employees and five buildings.

“We proudly join educators and community members in saluting these education advocates as they provide vision and leadership for student achievement, academic programs, district funding and school facilities,” Ostrander said. “They preserve the core of our democracy — public education.”

The men and women serving Edwardsburg Public Schools are: Birdella Holdread, Michael Gordon, Amy Anderson, Becky Anson, John Feil, Kevin Goggins and Edward Patzer.

Edwardsburg Public Schools will recognize their board members at 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 22, at the board of education meeting. A special presentation will be part of the tribute. For more information,
visit edwardsburgpublicschools.org.