Newton County School System will participate in a statewide celebration from March 11-15 to honor the dedicated efforts of our local school board members. In recognition of their invaluable contributions, the week of March 11-15, 2024, has been designated as School Board Appreciation Week in Georgia. This weeklong observance is aimed at highlighting the vital role played by local boards of education.
“As citizens entrust the responsibility to board members for representing the community’s voice on educational matters and shaping the vision for the school district, our board tirelessly dedicates numerous hours to fulfill its obligations and collaborates to enhance our education system continuously," remarked Superintendent Dr. Duke Bradley, III. "Elected by the community to advocate for their interests in education matters, local school boards signify an enduring commitment to local citizen control and decision-making in education.”
Dr. Bradley further expressed, “Our community is fortunate to have a school board that works together to ensure that we have an excellent school system. This is not easy work, so I commend them for their heart for service, their dedication to children, and their belief in the potential of every Newton County student.”
Recognizing the years of service, the individuals serving our school district are as follows:
- District 1, Mr. Trey Bailey, eight years;
- District 2, Mr. Eddie Johnson, fifteen years;
- District 3, Mrs. Shakila Henderson-Baker, thirteen years;
- District 4, Mr. Anderson Bailey, three years; and
- District 5, Mrs. Abigail Coggin, thirteen years.
As constitutional officers of Georgia, school board members shoulder the responsibility of formulating educational policies, hiring school personnel, providing infrastructure and equipment, managing transportation systems, and allocating school funds. Serving as advocates for children in local public schools, school board members, as community leaders, must carefully study, evaluate, and decide on actions that are in the best interest of the students.
The celebration is sponsored by the Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA), which is dedicated to ensuring excellence in the governance of local school systems by offering leadership, advocacy, and services while representing the collective resolve of Georgia’s 180 elected boards of education. For more information, please visit www.gsba.com.