School Committee Praised by Outgoing Superintendent
Post date: Feb 01, 2013 8:5:44 PM
January has been declared ‘School Board Recognition Month’ by the National School Boards Association. In observance of this, Wells-Ogunquit CSD Superintendent Elaine Tomaszewski recognized the work and dedication of the WOCSD School Committee at their meeting on January 2nd.
Tomaszewski, who officially steps down from her position in the District on January 11th to become Associate Executive Director of the Maine School Management Association, presented each member of the Committee with a small gift to show appreciation for the work of the six-member body that represents the citizens of Wells and Ogunquit in governing the District.
“Having worked with and for school boards for my entire career I know school board members are dedicated people who are elected to represent the community wishes…,” said Tomaszewski to the Committee. She added, “You are truly grassroots people, and your work helps to ensure a public education for every child; making sure our students achieve and succeed.”
Tomaszewski observed that Committee members perform many duties not seen by the public. For example, the six members have to fill eight subcommittees and four liaison positions. They have to stay informed of issues facing the District and read through packets of information that are delivered to them in the mail prior to each School Committee meeting.
Current School Committee members include Chair Russell Fox (Wells), Vice Chair Diana Allen (Ogunquit), Sue Pollard (Ogunquit), Marc Saulnier (Wells), Sarah Tavares (Ogunquit), and Cory Thyng (Wells).
According to its website the National Association of School Boards represents state associations and their member districts that have a combined total of 90,000 school board members. The NSBA is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1940.
“The NSBA supports the capacity of each school board, acting on behalf of and in close concert with the people of its community, to envision the future of education it its community, to establish a structure and environment that allows all students to reach their maximum potential, to provide accountability to the community on performance in the schools, and to serve as the key community advocate for children and youth and their public schools.” (source: www.nsba.org)
Caption: Wells-Ogunquit CSD Superintendent Elaine Tomaszewski gives a small gift of appreciation to Diana Allen and Cory Thyng, both members of the WOCSD School Committee