The McDuffie County School District brought home two awards from this year’s Georgia School Boards Association Annual Conference. The district has once again been named as a recipient of both the GSBA's Leading Edge Award and the Exemplary School Board recognition.
The Leading Edge Award recognizes innovative design and implementation of projects and programs that are having a significant and positive impact on students. The focus of this year’s award was the district’s comprehensive Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) curriculum. The district was also awarded this honor in 2021 for its multi-tiered workforce development initiatives.
“In McDuffie County, we are always exploring new and engaging ways to prepare the next generation of knowledgeable citizens,” said Superintendent Dr. Mychele Rhodes. “These STEM initiatives, from elementary through high school, ensure that our graduates will be familiar with the latest technology in an ever-evolving world. We are thankful to be able to provide these opportunities to our students and pleased that the GSBA chose to recognize our district’s work in this area.”
The Exemplary Board designation is the highest of the GSBA recognition program’s three tiers used to honor high-performing boards. McDuffie County has received this level of honor each time it has been awarded since 2015. The program also showcases best practices in school governance and leadership that foster educational community cultures and advance student learning and achievement.
“We are grateful to have a board that works so hard for the students and staff,” Dr. Rhodes said. “Our citizens elected a group that is intent on providing McDuffie County with the best education possible, and this award is proof that others see and appreciate the efforts of our board.”
Criteria for the award includes participation in training and adherence to standards of governance. The GSBA Governance Team Recognition Program was developed by Georgia superintendents and board members based on the state board of education’s standards in order to recognize exemplary leadership. In 1998, the GSBA was one of the first school board associations in the nation to develop a program of standards for local boards of education.
Dr. Rhodes and McDuffie County Board members were on hand to accept the award at the GSBA/Georgia School Superintendents Association annual conference in Atlanta on December 1.