You may not have noticed but January, 2012 is “School Board Recognition Month.” You may not have noticed because you have been too busy doing one of the most challenging jobs in our community—serving on a board of trustees. On behalf of the students, parents, teachers, classified/support staff, administrators and superintendent, I am writing to say, “thank you” for the gifts of your time, talent and leadership in helping to make our schools the quality that they are in Mariposa County.

We are very much aware of the personal sacrifices you make to serve. We know that yours is among the most visible and important elected offices and that, at times, it can be thankless and difficult. Yet, by keeping education in the hands of locally elected board members, our schools continue to be the foundation of democracy and freedom as they have been since the founding of our republic.

Your responsibilities in articulating the vision and setting the direction of our schools are unique because your decisions vary according to the needs of your district. You are the ones who, working with parents, community members and professionals, lay the foundation upon which our students succeed. You have displayed courage, sensitivity and creativity in making the very challenging decisions that recent years of diminished resources have required.

It is because of your principled leadership and focus on doing what is best for students that we wanted to reaffirm our appreciation, admiration and respect for you in this special “School Board Recognition Month.” You are a gift to our children and communities now and your work will be felt for generations to come. Thank you for your service and for the privilege of working with you. Aaron N. Rosander

Superintendent