WHEREAS, An excellent and continuously improving public education system is vital to the quality of life of all California citizens and communities; and

WHEREAS, California has nearly 1,000 school districts and county offices of education throughout the state, represented by nearly 5,000 school board members accounting for the largest number of locally elected officials in the state; and

WHEREAS, The first school district in the United States was established in 1721; and

WHEREAS, Local school district governing boards and county boards of education are a central part of our democracy; and

WHEREAS, The mission of public schools to meet the diverse educational needs of all children and to empower pupils to become productive and thoughtful contributors to a democratic society and an ever-changing world is more important now than ever before; and

WHEREAS, Local school boards consistently work to ensure that every pupil’s academic, social-emotional, physical, and mental health needs are a priority; and

WHEREAS, Each and every day, school board members continue to advocate to best serve children and parents in our communities; and

WHEREAS, Local school board members are committed to pupils and believe that all pupils can be successful learners and that the best education is tailored towards providing every pupil with an opportunity to learn; and

WHEREAS, School board members work closely with parents, certificated and classified educational professionals, and other community members to create effective learning environments where all pupils can thrive; and

WHEREAS, School board members are responsible for building and maintaining the structures that provide a solid foundation for our public school system; and

WHEREAS, School board members are strong advocates for public education who are responsible for communicating the needs of the schools and for understanding the interests and expectations of the diverse communities that they represent; and

WHEREAS, School Board Recognition Month is an ideal time to recognize and celebrate the Californians serving on school district governing boards and county boards of education who help guide the education of pupils in kindergarten and grades 1 to 12, inclusive, and who prepare these pupils for the opportunities and challenges of the 21st century and beyond; now, therefore, be it