School Board Recognition Month
May 2021
The Iowa Association of School Boards has designated May 2021 as School Board Recognition Month in order to recognize school boards for their great work as they navigated through extraordinary times working diligently to provide leadership and make informed decisions that directly related to the health and safety of students and staff. As citizen leaders, Norwalk CSD Board of Directors members face complex and demanding challenges. Yet few people fully understand the scope and far-reaching implications of board members’ responsibilities. All Iowa citizens should recognize the vital contributions of these elected officials and focus attention on the crucial role they play in the education of our children. Over the past year, leadership at the board table has come with challenges and decisions no one could have anticipated. School boards have made tough choices that impact the health and safety of students, staff and the community, while continuing to prioritize student achievement and educational equity.
Serving as locally elected, non-salaried public officials, Norwalk School Board members come from all walks of life. Although they wear many hats in the workforce, school board members put on a collective hat when they get down to the business and innovation of charting the course for their school district. Board members must pull together as a team toward a universal goal—helping students achieve their potential.
Our five Norwalk School Board members establish a vision for the education program, design a structure to achieve that vision, ensure schools are accountable to the community, strongly advocate continuous improvement in student learning, and create a positive atmosphere for the entire district. To accomplish these goals, board members contribute thousands of hours each year leading their districts. Whether it be crafting policies, hiring administrators, listening to staff and student concerns, or advocating with legislators, board members always keep their eyes on the goal of student achievement. The time spent in board meetings represents just a small fraction of the hours school board members spend leading in their districts. They attend seminars and training sessions to keep current on the latest trends in educational leadership; are deeply involved in community and school activities; and they create, read and study countless reports, agendas, proposals and other information to guide difficult decisions. Their love for learning and their commitment to the students, staff and the community helps drive their desire to help students excel.
Please join our community in saying ‘thank you’ to our Norwalk CSD Board of Directors: President, Maribeth Wright, Vice President, David Albrecht, Director, Justin Fletcher, Director, Michelle Kelly, and Director, Brian Rausch for leading Iowa’s next generation through uncharted waters and recognizing their efforts throughout the year!
