The Madison City School Board was among four local school boards that received a prestigious honor at the Alabama Association of School Boards District 9 meeting Aug. 31 at the Huntsville Center for Technology in Huntsville.

School boards from Albertville, Scottsboro and Jackson County also received the fifth annual AASB President’s Award for dedication to improving their boardmanship skills.

The awards were given this year to 54 school boards across the state during AASB district meetings Aug. 23-Sept. 16 in nine geographical regions. The award is presented annually at fall district meetings to school boards that have had at least 60 percent of their members attend three or more AASB School Board Member Academy courses in the 2009-10 academy year that ended June 30.

“We’re proud of this year’s winners of the AASB President’s Award,” said AASB President Florence Bellamy. “They take seriously their roles as education leaders, community representatives and advocates of student achievement. They strive to strengthen their leadership and boardmanship skills through meaningful training and educational opportunities.”

This fall’s district training sessions were built around the theme “Getting Kindergartners Ready for Big School!”

State Department of Children’s Affairs staff explained how school boards can ensure kindergartners begin school ready to learn.  Attendees learned how communities are coming together to discuss, support, create and expand  pre-K programs even in these challenging economic times.  They also were informed about state-funded early education resources and received an update on the Education Trust Fund and the upcoming legislative session.

Dr. Jennie Robinson of Huntsville serves as director of District 9, which includes school boards in Albertville, Arab, Boaz, Guntersville, Huntsville, Madison, Oneonta and Scottsboro and in Blount, Jackson, Madison and Marshall counties.

The Alabama Association of School Boards represents all of the state’s public local school boards.  Since 1949, AASB has served education leaders and the interests of local lay control of public education. The association’s mission is to develop excellent school board leaders through quality training, advocacy and services.