At the Monday, January 12, 2025 Board of Education meeting, board members were recognized for their service during School Board Appreciation Month.
USD 108 is so fortunate to have these dedicated and involved individuals serving the students, staff, and community of Washington County.
Current USD #108 Board of Education members are:
Keelie Welch – 6 years service
Kelsie Beikmann – 6 years service
Jill Hoover – 14.5 years service
Rod Stewart – 26.5 years service
Ryan Kern – just beginning his service
Bill Slater – just beginning his service
Here are some reasons that January has been declared School Board Recognition Month:
* School board members are local citizens, your friends and neighbors, whose decisions while serving on the school board affect all our children - what they learn, who will teach them, and what kinds of facilities will house their classrooms.
* These are men and women elected to establish the policies that provide the framework for our schools. They represent YOU, and they take this responsibility seriously by attending lengthy meetings; attending conferences where they can broaden their knowledge about education and educational issues; and by attending to numerous conversations about our schools.
* Our school board is one of many such boards across the state. These boards enable the citizens of Kansas to have local control of our school, meaning that decisions on school programs are made by local people who understand the community’s unique problems, values, culture, and circumstances.
* With the advice and counsel of the educators they hire, our school board has an impact on virtually every aspect of our schools. It’s a huge responsibility and one that is not taken lightly by our members.
Too often we neglect to recognize the dedication and hard work of these men and women who represent all of us. The staff and students of Washington County Schools, USD #108 are asking all local citizens to take a moment to tell a school board member “thanks for caring for our kids.”