Who is the Adams 12 Five Star Schools Board of Education

^{Adams 12 Five Star Schools Board of Education Members from Left to Right: Courtney Potter, Director, District 3; Jamey Lockley, Secretary, District 2; Lori Goldstein, President, District 1; Laura Mitchell, Vice President, District 5; Amira Assad-Lucas, Director, District 4}

School board members are ordinary people who demonstrate extraordinary dedication to our public schools. January marks School Board Recognition Month and is the perfect time to thank our Adams 12 Five Star Schools board members for their untiring efforts.

The Adams 12 Five Star Schools Board is comprised of five members that are elected to four-year, staggered terms. Board members are elected by a vote of the electors of the entire school district., and may serve two consecutive terms. The Board is composed of Lori Goldstein, President, District 1; Jamey Lockley, Secretary, District 2; Courtney Potter, Director, District 3; Amira Assad-Lucas, Director, District 4; Laura Mitchell, Vice President, District 5. Board members are not paid; they give freely of their time to serve the Five Star community.

Here is what our Board Members have to say about serving the Five Star Community:

"By being a member of the Adams 12 Board of Education I have the responsibility to do my part to make sure every child has opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive.  I am a part of the larger community and I am proud to serve the Adams 12 community." - Lori Goldstein, President, Board of Education

“For me, serving on the Board of Education means to serve all students equitably. It means to make sure all students are have what they need to thrive academically, socially, emotionally, and mentally. It means to support families, students, and all educational staff where they are and provide what they need. Serving on the BOE means supporting public education in order to strengthen our community. It’s an honor to serve on the Adams 12 Board of Education.” - Amira Assad-Lucas, Director 4, Board of Education

"To me, being a Board of Education Director means always acting with the best interest of students at heart. Whether it is hiring and maintaining the best staff, working collaboratively with parents and community members or selecting a curriculum. When we put our kids first, we set them up to live their best lives. Being part of that as a board member is an honor." - Courtney Potter, Director 3, Board of Education

“Serving on the Adams 12 Board of Education has been a fulfilling way to give back to my community, one that served me as a student and helped shape me into the person I am.  As the wife of an educator, and someone who has worked in Higher Ed for two decades, education is a huge part of my life, and I only hope that my service helps to ensure every student has even more opportunities than I had.” - Jamey Lockley, Secretary, Board of Education

Too often we forget about the personal sacrifices school board members routinely make. Too often we forget about the important role school board members play in assuring local control over our public schools, control that is in the hands of people we know ... people who are our neighbors. Too often we forget that, in the tradition of a representative democracy, school board members are our connection to influencing how our public schools are governed. Too often we are quick to criticize school board members without really knowing all the details that went into any given decision. Too often the efforts of school board members go unrecognized and unrewarded.

This month we take a moment to recognize the value of their work to our students and our communities. This is a time to show our appreciation and to begin to better understand how school board members work together to provide leadership for our schools.

The school board works closely with parents, education professionals and community members to create the educational vision we want for our students. It then formulates goals, defines results and sets the course for an adequate and equitable educational program for all students. The school board is accountable to the public. It is responsible for assuring the public that the money allocated to the public schools is providing a good return on the investment. Thus, the board oversees regular assessment of the district’s students, staff and programs. The school board also is a strong advocate for public schools and is responsible for communicating the needs of the school district to the public and the public’s expectations to the district.