Three Longtime State Education Leaders Receive National Honor

ARLINGTON, Va., Oct. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- State education leaders from Maine, Michigan, and Missouri are the recipients of the 2012 Distinguished Service Award by the National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE). The national award is given annually to state board of education members in recognition of outstanding service to public education.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111122/DC11523LOGO)

"This is a pivotal moment in education reform, and the ability and accomplishments of Steve Pound, Elizabeth Bauer, and Peter Herschend have helped propel us to the point where real and lasting change is possible," said NASBE Executive Director Jim Kohlmoos. "Over 600 dedicated citizens serve on their state boards of education every year and make significant and lasting contributions to education policy in their states. It is indeed a great pleasure to acknowledge the outstanding work of three stellar state board members."

Continuing a 40-year education career, Maine State Board of Education Chairman Dr. Steven Pound has served on the board since 2009, and currently sits on 20 other education or career development boards, which just scratches the surface of his career accomplishments. In his time on the Maine board, he has quickly become a leader, serving as its chairman and vice chairman, a committee chairman, and representative to the New England Secondary School Consortium. He also led the development of the board's five-year strategic plan. Pound also plans the board's annual retreat and annual budget, and he serves on the NASBE Board of Directors.

Elizabeth Bauer served on the Michigan State Board of Education from 2003-2011. For 23 years before her election to the board, she was a tireless advocate for what ultimately became the board's Universal Education Policy. She is a longtime advocate for training teachers in positive behavioral support programs, ending seclusion and restraint in schools, and ending suspension and expulsion and punishments for violations of school codes. She was instrumental in the board's adoption of its Integrating Mental Health in Schools Policy, the Model Anti-Bullying Policy, its Education Technology plans in 2005 and 2010, and the Model Local Policy on Wellness.

Peter Herschend has served on the Missouri State Board of Education since 1991, having been reappointed five times by governors from both parties. He is currently the board president, a position he has held twice before, and when his term expires in 2015 he will have served on the state board for an unprecedented 24 consecutive years. Among the legislation borne of his board efforts is a state law that allowed the state board to establish the Show-Me Standards, performance-based assessments, and other measures. Policies he championed include approval of new high school graduation requirements, and end-of course exams for high school students.

The awards are being presented at NASBE's national conference in Chicago on
October 12.

The National Association of State Boards of Education represents America's state and territorial boards of education. NASBE exists to strengthen State Boards as the preeminent educational policymaking bodies for citizens and students. For more, visit www.nasbe.org.

SOURCE National Association of State Boards of Education