BERRIEN SPRINGS — January is School Board Recognition Month—a time to salute the work of our elected school board members and to celebrate public education.

School board members at Berrien Regional Education Service Agency develop policies and make tough decisions that help shape the future of the education system. They bear responsibility for an annual budget of $49 million, more than 25,000 students, 300 employees and numerous classrooms and buildings located throughout Berrien County.

Showing appreciation for the important work of school boards should be a year-round process, Berrien RESA Superintendent Dr. Kevin M. Ivers said. He said that too often citizens neglect to recognize the dedication and hard work of these men and women. This January, the staff and students of Berrien RESA are asking all members of the community to take a moment and thank a school board member.

“It is with great appreciation we show our gratitude to our school board members,” Dr. Ivers said. “We salute them for their dedication to public service and for their vision to prepare today’s students to be tomorrow’s leaders. We commend them for their long-standing commitment to public education.”

Berrien RESA’s Board of Education members are:

• Sharon Kalling, President, serving since 1977

• Cathy Bair, Vice President, serving since 1985

• Linda Holt, Treasurer, serving since 1993

• Allene J. Smith, Secretary, serving since 2007

• Martha Momany, Trustee, serving since 2018