CC School board top of the class in Iowa achievements

Board members earn high honors

By Amie Johansen

amie@charlescitypress.com

Like in many professions Charles City School Board members have the opportunity to increase their knowledge and improve their decision making skills through continuing education.

“(School Board members are) just as committed as our staff (to continuing education),” Superintendent Dr. Dan Cox said.

Their commitment was made evident when the Iowa Association of School Boards presented the Charles City School Board with the “Better Boardsmanship Team Award of Achievement & Individual Award of Achievement.”

Charles City was one of five school boards in the state of Iowa who earned the team achievement award.

“To be recognized as a team the majority of board members need to earn individual credits,” Cox said.

In order to earn “Individual Award of Achievement” certificates board members must earn 60 Better Boardsmanship credits.

“Credits are divided into two big categories, formal learning and service,” Cox said.  

Formal learning credits can be earned by attending conferences, webinars, presentations, regional meetings and workshops, he explained. Service credits, also referred to as leadership credits, were earned when School Board members lobbied in Des Moines and gave presentations at the IASB convention.

Of the five school boards acknowledged for earning the team achievement award, only Charles City’s entire school board earned the individual achievement certificates. Each of the five board members and Cox earned the required 60 Better Boardsmanship credits. School Board members even earned more than the required credits. According to Cox, the Board collectively earned over 430 credits.

“I think it validates the board’s commitment to learning,” Cox said. “It sets us apart from everyone else.”

School Board members are challenged to earn the required credits every school year. Credit regulations for the 2015-16 school year have changed slightly. According to Cox, School Board members are now required to earn 125 credits, of which 85 must be from formal learning.

Although credit requirements have increased, School Board members are well on their way to earning the team achievement award again. So far, the majority of the School Board members have already completed over half of the required credits for this school year.

Charles City’s school board is unique in their drive to earn Better Boardsmanship credits.

“I’ve talked with superintendent colleagues who don’t (have) this situation, where the board members don’t enjoy going to convention,” Cox said. “(Charles City’s school board members) like learning. It’s been fun to have them so enthusiastic about it.”