Districts recognize the superheroes on their school boards: School Board Recognition Month 2025 recap
In January, school districts across Ohio honored their boards of education as part of School Board Recognition Month. OSBA provided personalized recognition certificates for each board member; an online resource kit; and a poster of the 2025 theme, “School Board Superheroes.”
Below are just a few of the ways districts thanked the superheroes who serve their districts each and every day.
The Brown Local (Carroll) Board of Education was honored during its board meeting as students, staff and community members showed their appreciation for the board’s work to positively impact the district. A special superhero-themed appreciation video, created by the high school leadership and communication class, was presented to commemorate the occasion. “We are incredibly grateful for our school board members,” Superintendent Mark Scott said. “They work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure our students receive the best possible education and opportunities for success.”
Southern Local (Columbiana) school board members were treated to dinner at their board meeting, where they also received certificates of appreciation.
Barberton City Superintendent Jason Ondrus and second grader Richard McPherson honored the board of education with a proclamation during School Board Recognition Month. McPherson read part of the proclamation, which recognized members’ contributions to serve the district and community with “integrity, honor and a commitment to our children’s futures.”
Washington Court House City Superintendent Dr. Thomas S. Bailey thanked board members at their January board meeting for their “support and dedication to our faculty and staff, and their focus on ensuring the success of every student in the Blue Lion Family.”
Medina City staff and students created a superhero-themed video based on the Pixar movie “The Incredibles,” that showed their gratitude for the board’s work. Superintendent Aaron J. Sable pointed out that the superhero theme was fitting based on the board’s work, referencing difficult decisions that have been made. “Each of you represents an attitude about what’s best for students and what’s best for the future,” he said.
In an op-ed submitted to The Clermont Sun, West Clermont Local (Clermont) Superintendent Natasha Adams recognized board members for serving “as a link between the classroom and the community, ensuring that every decision we make and every policy we implement is in the best interest of our students.”
Buckeye Local (Jefferson) board members were treated to dinner before their January board meeting. The district took time during the meeting to acknowledge the time the board members invest in providing opportunities and support to the schools.
Stow-Monroe Falls City school board members were honored for their service during their board meeting. A proclamation of appreciation recognized their contributions to the district, and each received a personalized portfolio for their dedication to leadership and governance.
Buckeye Career Center board members received a piece of memorabilia designed by the CAD/development and design, welding and auto collision labs. Superintendent Bob Alsept thanked them for their commitment, noting that their position on the board takes them away from their families as they keep the career center “on the proper course.”
Bay Village City honored its board of education on social media. Each board member was featured in a special superhero social media post that shared their photo and information about them.
While recognizing the district’s board members, Conneaut Area City Superintendent Lori A. Riley shared that she and Treasurer Jackie Miranda discuss how fortunate “we are to have the school board we have. … I truly believe the school board makes or breaks a school district,” she said.
Greenfield EV board members received gifts in honor of their service, including flower arrangements created by the district’s horticulture class and a clay dish decorated with a tiger silhouette and tiger stripes, which were created by members of the National Art Honor Society.
Copley-Fairlawn City Assistant Superintendent Brian Williams thanked the district’s board members for their work, noting that the “superhero” theme was appropriate when describing the board. “Like superheroes, you tirelessly dedicate yourselves to ensuring that every student received the best education possible … while managing the many challenges that come with overseeing a school district,” he said, adding that the board’s influence extends “far beyond the school walls.”
Olentangy Local (Delaware) board members received a collection of gifts in honor of their service, including framed superhero portraits created by students from Olentangy Berlin High School, candy and coffee drinks. They also were treated to a performance by the Cheshire Elementary School Cub Choir, and a video that emphasized each board member’s superpower, available at https://youtu.be/R5Vgb1TX1Hc?
During the board’s January meeting, Mid-Ohio ESC Superintendent Kevin Kimmel presented governing board members with framed recognition certificates and thanked them for their leadership. “We are very lucky to have a dedicated Board of Governors that works closely with education professionals and community members to create an educational vision for our client districts and their students,” he said.
Each member of the Bellefontaine City Board of Education was presented with 20 greeting cards made by the district’s students as Superintendent Brad Hall thanked them for their service and expertise.
The Southern Ohio ESC treated its governing board members to a special recognition dinner to acknowledge their dedication, commitment and vision.
Students in Springfield Local’s (Lucas) Dorr Elementary School made gifts to honor their school board members, which district staff presented during a school board meeting.
Indian Creek Local (Jefferson) Superintendent Dr. T.C. Chappelear thanked the district’s board members for their work. “The board does a fantastic job,” he said. “The work of the superintendent is closely tied to the board, and this board makes it easy to be the superintendent of Indian Creek. I appreciate all you do, and Indian Creek is in a good place, and that’s a result of your leadership.”
Districts that recognized their school boards at board meetings or on social media include
- Beaver Local (Columbiana)
- Benjamin Logan Local (Logan)
- Black River Local (Medina)
- Canton Local (Stark)
- Cardington-Lincoln Local (Morrow)
- Crestview Local (Van Wert)
- Columbiana County ESC
- Cuyahoga Heights Local (Cuyahoga)
- Delaware City
- Elmwood Local (Wood)
- ESC of Central Ohio
- ESC of Northeast Ohio
- Fairborn City
- Fort Frye Local (Washington)
- Fostoria City
- Hillsboro City
- Hudson City
- Lexington Local (Richland)
- Miami Trace Local (Fayette)
- Medina County Career Center
- Napoleon Area City
- North Royalton City
- Northmor Local (Morrow)
- Pickaway County ESC
- Pioneer Career & Technology Center
- Poland Local (Mahoning)
- Polaris Career Center
- Revere Local (Summit)
- Ripley Union Lewis Huntington Local (Brown)
- Sebring Local (Mahoning)
- Shelby City
- Southern Ohio ESC
- Steubenville City
- Sylvania City
- Toledo City
- Tri-Village Local (Darke)
- Twinsburg City
- Warrensville Heights City
- Wayne Local (Warren)
- Wauseon EV
- Woodridge Local (Summit)
- Zanesville City