For the third year in a row, the Rome City Schools Board of Education has received the Exemplary School Board distinction for 2025 from the Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA).
The award recognizes the board’s focus on ongoing improvement, transparency, and teamwork. According to the GSBA, these qualities are important for creating an environment that supports student learning and achievement.
To earn this recognition, Rome City Schools Board of Education met or surpassed criteria established by GSBA. The board members are Chair Faith Collins, Vice Chair Will Byington, Toni Blanchard, Pascha Burge, Dr. Melissa Davis, Jill Fisher, and Alvin Jackson.
Board Chair Faith Collins stated: “I am very excited to hear that our school board has been named an exemplary board for the third straight year. We continue to work hard as a board so that we can better serve the students, parents, and staff of Rome City Schools. This is an honor, but it also means that we need to keep working to help ensure that Rome City Schools remains one of the best school districts in the state.”
The GSBA’s recognition program is based on governance standards developed by the Georgia Board of Education. These standards set requirements such as having a strategic plan for the system, meeting accreditation compliance measures, and exceeding minimum training requirements. Exemplary status is the highest level in this three-tiered program.
Georgia superintendents and board members helped develop the GSBA Governance Team Recognition Program using state standards to highlight strong leadership among local boards.
The Georgia School Boards Association was among the first in the nation to create standards for local boards when it launched its recognition program in 1998. More information about award categories and criteria can be found at the GSBA website for awards and recognition.
