The Liberty County School System this week is joining a statewide celebration to salute the efforts of local school board members.
The week of March 17-21 has been proclaimed School Board Appreciation Week in Georgia.
The week-long observance calls attention to the contributions of boards of education.
 “Liberty County citizens elect board members to represent the community’s voice on education matters and to set the vision for the school district,” LCSS Superintendent Dr. Valya S. Lee said. “Our board spends countless hours fulfilling its responsibilities and working together to continually improve our education system.
“As the men and women citizens elect to represent them in education matters, school boards represent a continuing commitment to local citizen control and decision-making in education.”
The men and women serving the Liberty County school district and their years of service are:
• Lily H. Baker (eight years)
• Carol Guyett (23 years)
• Marcia Anderson (16 years)
• Becky C. Carter (16 years)
• Carolyn Smith Carter (two years)
• Verdell Jones (six years)
• Harold Woods (16 years)
As constitutional officers of Georgia, school-board members are responsible for setting educational policies, employing school personnel, providing buildings and equipment, operating a transportation system and disbursing school funds.
As community leaders, school-board members serve as advocates for the children in public schools and must study, evaluate and decide what actions are in the best interest of those students.
The mission of the Georgia School Boards Association, which sponsors the celebration, is to ensure excellence in the governance of school systems by providing leadership, advocacy and services, and by representing the collective resolve of Georgia’s 180 elected boards of education.
For more information on the week, go to www.gsba.com.