The Oak Lawn-Hometown School District 123 Board of Education is one of only 35 school districts statewide to earn the Illinois Association of School Boards 2021 School Board Governance Recognition designation. The honor is designed to acknowledge those school boards that have engaged in activities and modeled behaviors that lead to excellence in the local school governance in support of quality public education. IASB's School Board Governance Recognition program acknowledges local boards of education that practice good governance behaviors as outlined by IASB's Foundational Principles of Effective Governance. The focus of Governance Recognition is on full board development and participation, rather than on individual members. Boards of education that meet the necessary requirements are recognized for the two-year honorary distinction.
"The Oak Lawn-Hometown District 123 Board of Education is honored to be the recipient of the biannual IASB School Board Governance Recognition designation now for the third time in the last six years. To have achieved this recognition so consistently is a testament to the entire board’s enduring commitment to effective and open process, continuous improvement, and the principles of good governance. As a board, we hold ourselves to high expectations because our students, our staff, and the citizens of Oak Lawn and Hometown deserve no less. Only through clear communication of purpose, strong focus on connection with the whole community, and close monitoring of district performance, can our district continue to be successful in providing quality education to all students. We are humbled to be recognized again by IASB for our efforts in this capacity and look forward to continuing our work to promote quality governance on behalf of all of our constituents," said District 123 School Board of Education President, Brian Nichols.
The School Board Governance Recognition program aims to showcase how good governance creates a positive impact for students, staff, and the entire district community. It provides an opportunity for districts to tell their story about programs and projects that are improving outcomes in their local school districts and offers board members an chance to highlight how continuous learning, both by individual board members and the full board team, results in improved governance for the board of education and positive outcomes for the district. There will be a formal presentation of this recognition to the District 123 Board at the Fall South Cook Division Meeting. District 123 last received this honor in 2019 from IASB, previously the District has been recognized by IASB for their fiscal responsibility and transparency.
“We commend District 123 for your hard work and the distinction of being a School Board Governance Recognition recipient ,” said Thomas Bertrand, Executive Director for the Illinois Association of School Boards.