Saginaw Intermediate School District Board Receives 2022 Distinguished Achievement Award
SAGINAW COUNTY, MICHIGAN - Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB) recently unveiled award recipients for their 2022 Annual Certified Board Member Awards (CBA) Program. Saginaw Intermediate School District (ISD) received the 2022 Distinguished Achievement Award, while eight other county school board members were also recognized for more than 12 other awards. Saginaw ISD’s Board of Education President Ruth Coppens and MASB Legal Council and Director of Labor Relations Brad Banasik honored the board members in a ceremony that was held Tuesday, May 9, 2023, at Millet Learning Center.
According to MASB, “The program was developed in 1990 by veteran Michigan school board members, representatives from higher education, and state administrator organizations in order to enhance the ability of school boards to improve Michigan public schools and the achievement of 1.4 million Michigan students.”
MASB training and professional development help board members keep pace with the fast-moving and complex changes in public education. Last year, more than 1,800 school board members statewide participated in MASB’s professional development program for elected school leaders. The hours devoted to this training are above, and beyond the time members spend at their local meetings and events and reviewing policies and board packets.
"Our school board members invest significant time and effort in professional development and maintaining their certifications to deliver the gold standard of educational experiences for our communities," shared Saginaw ISD Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Collier. Dr. Collier also expressed his gratitude for the servant leadership and expertise of the school board leaders, who consistently make thoughtful decisions that drive progress and positively impact our school systems.
On behalf of MASB and Saginaw ISD, it is with great honor and privilege to also recognize and celebrate the achievements awarded to the following Board of Education members throughout Saginaw County this past year:
| Amy Morales | Bridgeport-Spaulding Community School District | Level 1 - Certified Board Member Award |
| Amy Morales | Bridgeport-Spaulding Community School District | Level 2 - Award of Merit |
| Katherine Ellison | Hemlock Public School District and Saginaw ISD | Level 4 - Master Board Member Award |
| Kimberly Hoeppner | Hemlock Public School District | Level 1 - Certified Board Member Award |
| Kimberly Hoeppner | Hemlock Public School District | Level 2 - Award of Merit |
| Joseph Powe | Saginaw ISD | Data Skills Specialty |
| Charles Coleman | Saginaw Public Schools | Level 4 - Master Board Member Award |
| Vera Harrison | Saginaw Public Schools | Level 3 - Award of Distinction |
| Janet Nash | Saginaw Public Schools | Level 1 - Certified Board Member Award |
| Janet Nash | Saginaw Public Schools | Level 2 - Award of Merit |
| Janet Nash | Saginaw Public Schools | Level 3 - Award of Distinction |
| Joyce Seals | Saginaw Public Schools | Level 4 - Master Board Member Award |
“I’ve worked with school boards and public schools for more than 25 years and am always in awe of the commitment of so many members,” said MASB Executive Director Don Wotruba, CAE. “Schools are under exceptional pressure to be innovative and reinvent the way they deliver education. Training equips them with the tools necessary to make the best decisions for Michigan’s schoolchildren. The time they spend being servant leaders and honing their skills is second to none.
Learn more about the Michigan Association of School Boards and view a complete list of statewide award recipients by visiting clicking here.
About Saginaw ISD
Saginaw Intermediate School District (SISD) is an educational service agency that provides effective and innovative leadership, services, resources, and programs throughout Saginaw County. Saginaw ISD provides career and technical education, early childhood, finance, human resources, instruction, pupil accounting, special education, technology, and transportation services. In addition, SISD operates multiple educational programs to meet the unique needs of students ages birth to 26 across Saginaw County, including: Hartley Outdoor Education Center, Head Start/Early Head Start and Great Start to Readiness Programs, Great Lakes Bay Early College, Saginaw County Juvenile Detention Center School, and Special Education Center Programs.
Saginaw ISD serves 12 local school districts, six public school academies, and 22 non-public schools, with a total enrollment of approximately 26,000 students. Public school districts supported include: Birch Run Area Schools, Bridgeport-Spaulding Community School District, Carrollton Public Schools, Chesaning Union Schools, Frankenmuth School District, Freeland Community School District, Hemlock Public School District, Merrill Community Schools, Saginaw Public School District, Saginaw Township Community Schools, St. Charles Community Schools, and Swan Valley School District.