Every January, communities across the country take a moment to recognize the people who help guide and shape their local public schools: school board members. In Washington state and beyond, School Board Recognition Month offers a chance to understand what these folks do, why their work matters, and how we can show our gratitude.
What Is School Board Recognition Month?
Since its start in 1995, School Board Recognition Month has been celebrated each January to honor the commitment and service of locally elected school board members. 2026 marks the 31st anniversary of the observance, supported by the Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA) and other state school board associations.
WSSDA provides a customizable toolkit districts can use to mark the occasion — including certificates, the governor’s proclamation, a letter to the editor template, and graphics to publicly showcase appreciation.
What Do School Board Members Do?
School board members, or school directors as we call them in Washington, are the locally elected leaders who help govern public schools. Serving as a bridge between the community and district staff, they help set a district’s vision, adopt curriculum and policies, hire, evaluate, and work collaboratively with the superintendent, and ensure public schools use resources responsibly to serve all students. Key components of their role include:
- Setting the Vision and Goals
By engaging with their community and district staff, board members work together to establish the direction of their district — outlining long-term goals for educational quality, equity, and outcomes. They ensure that strategic planning and initiatives reflect the community’s priorities and support student success. - Adopting Policies and Standards
School boards adopt policies that guide district operations. These policies form the foundation of how a district operates every day. - Overseeing the Budget
School boards adopt budgets that allocate limited resources in ways that best support students and educators. Making these tough decisions requires balancing many priorities with financial realities. - Representing the Community
Members listen to and learn from parents, students, educators, and other community members, bringing those voices into decision-making discussions. This makes the board a bridge between schools and the community they serve. - Advocating Beyond the District
Effective boards often speak up about their district and public education needs at the state and national levels, helping shape policies that affect schools across broader regions.
Why School Board Appreciation Matters
Most board members serve without pay, donating their time, energy, and expertise because they care deeply about local public education and the future of their communities. Celebrating School Board Recognition Month isn’t just a nice gesture — it’s an opportunity to connect with your elected school leaders and strengthen community awareness and engagement. It can:
- Boost morale by reminding board members that their service matters.
- Highlight the impact of board decisions on student success.
- Build stronger relationships between the board, schools, and the wider community.
When people understand the complexity and importance of the work board members do, it fosters a more supportive environment for public education and strengthens the democratic process that establishes elected school district leadership.
Ways You Can Say “Thank You”
Here are some ways to express appreciation during School Board Recognition Month.
- Use the WSSDA Toolkit: Districts can download and customize certificates or message templates from the WSSDA recognition page.
- Write a Note or Letter: A heartfelt email, handwritten note, or letter to the local newspaper can make a big impact.
- Shout It Out on Social Media: Highlight your board members using district accounts or community groups.
- Recognize them Publicly: At a school event or board meeting in January, give board members a moment in the spotlight.
- Invite Students to Participate: Encourage student art, messages, or videos thanking board members — student success and appreciation are invaluable to those who serve.
- Connect with Local Leaders: Ask your mayor, city council or other community partners to join in celebrating School Board Recognition Month.
A Simple Message Can Go a Long Way
Board service isn’t easy — and often doesn’t come with applause. Taking the time during January to acknowledge their commitment shows that you value not just the title of school board member, but the service and leadership behind it.
So this School Board Recognition Month, reach out. Say “thank you.” Share a story. Help your community recognize the people who step forward to make our schools more effective, healthy, and supportive for every student.
Useful Resources:
- WSSDA’s School Board Recognition Month toolkit
- Leading with Purpose: A Guide for Effective School Board Members