Brooks, Decatur School Board recognized during board meeting
DECATUR — Five members of the Decatur school board were recognized Jan. 27 for their commitment to the 541plus students that make up the Decatur School District.
Steve Watkins, Decatur superintendent, presented Ike Owens, Darleen Holly, Amy Brooks, Kevin Smith and Karen Davis with certificates of appreciation for their hard work in making the district a success at the first school board meeting of the new year.
Board president Amy Brooks was presented with a plaque from the 2019 Arkansas School Boards Association for becoming a master board member. Brooks, whose two children, Deegan and Sydnie, attend classes in Decatur, earned the certification for taking at least 50 hours of school board development training with the ASBA.
According to the ASBA, “During this month-long observance, show appreciation to these elected volunteers who generously give of themselves to ensure that decisions affecting local schools are made by representatives of their own communities — people who are close to the school and know the teachers, parents and students.”
“As public elected school leaders, Arkansas school board members are empowered by state law to set policy for their district, hire and evaluate the superintendent, oversee district finances, approve the budget and determine the vision and mission of the district. In addition to their board duties, state law requires them to earn a minimum of six hours of professional development each year in areas related to their roles and responsibilities” (arsva.org).