January is school board recognition month, and we’d like to express gratitude to the members of the Orcas Island School Board: Diane Boerstler, Ayn Carrillo Gailey, John Fleming, Linda Sheridan and Greg White.

They spend countless hours advocating for island students, making financial decisions and overseeing the operations of the district. Thank you to the members for their public service, and if you see one of them around town, we encourage you to say thanks, too.

Eric Webb, superintendent of the Orcas Island School District, submitted the following:

By proclamation of the governor, January is School Board Recognition Month. It’s a great time to recognize our elected community members who selflessly give their time and energy in support of high-quality public schooling for our youth. School board members in Orcas Island School District are entrusted by this community with responsibility for our annual budget, our staff and our facilities.

School boards are charged with making decisions that can sometimes be quite difficult, or require sifting through a great deal of information. They also bear responsibility for developing a vision that will guide the school district for years to come. Through collaboration as a team, and with school district staff, their governance and advocacy are building the future of education in Washington state.

This January, we’re encouraging all members of the community to thank a board member. Please thank them for volunteering their time and playing a critical civic role that helps form the bedrock of our democracy—public education. As a crucial bridge between the local community and the school district, their efforts are instrumental in helping all of us realize the hopes and dreams we have for the children of our community.

The men and women serving Orcas Island School District and their years of service are:

• Diane Boerstler

• John Fleming

• Ayn Carrillo Gailey

• Linda Sheridan

• Greg White

For more information about the Orcas Island School Board, visit: http://www.orcasislandschools.org/our_district/school_board.