Marquette County School Board Members Honored  

Three Marquette County school board members earned awards from the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB) for their efforts to improve their leadership skills, demonstrating their commitment to student achievement and their own continuous improvement. Laura Songer, Marquette Public Schools, earned her Level 1 Certification and Award of Merit; Fae E. Collins, Negaunee Public Schools, earned the Award of Distinction; and, Donna Champion, NICE Community School District, earned the Master Platinum Award. Awards are earned for classes completed in MASB’s leadership training program, as well as for conference attendance, years of service and leadership activities.

School board members operate in a complex, ever-changing environment that requires they stay abreast of trends and issues facing public schools. One way they’re able to keep pace with the fast-moving changes is to participate in training and professional development. In fact, last year more than 1,000 school board members statewide participated in MASB’s professional development program for elected school leaders. Collectively, school board members spent about 7,000 hours attending board training courses in the traditional classroom setting, and another 864 hours in the online setting. These hours are above and beyond the time members spend at their local meetings, events, reviewing policies and board packets.

“I’ve worked with school boards and public schools for more than 15 years and am always in awe at the commitment of so many members. The time they spend being servant leaders and honing their skills are second to none,” said MASB Executive Director Kathy Hayes. “Schools are under exceptional pressure to be innovative and reinvent the way they deliver education. Training equips them with the tools necessary to make the best decisions for Michigan’s school children.”