ARLINGTON — The Arlington School District Board of Directors was honored during their Monday, Jan. 27, meeting as part of Gov. Jay Inslee’s proclamation of January as “School Board Recognition Month.”

Just as Washington public school districts and their communities have acknowledged the work of their school board members each January for the past 19 years, so too did Arlington School District officials and staff members take the time to pay tribute to their current directors, including Board President Ursula Ghirardo, Vice President Kay Duskin, Legislative Representative Dr. Jeff Huleatt, Board members Jim Weiss and Bob McClure, and student advisors Olivia Curnett and Connor Ghirardo.

Arlington School District Superintendent Dr. Kris McDuffy introduced a video montage of quotes and photos saying thanks to the school board, while a trio of students read from Inslee’s proclamation in tandem, praising school board members for playing “a crucial role in promoting student learning and achievement by creating a vision, establishing policies and budgets, and setting clear standards of accountability for all involved.”

“The thing I appreciate about our board is that they really do support our staff, and the support programs in our buildings,” said Erik DeJong, principal of Haller Middle School.

“What we appreciate so much about our school board in Arlington is how they support all of our schools and all of our grade levels in the work we do with our mission, which is educating all of our students, and preparing and inspiring them to achieve their full potential,” agreed Brian Beckley, principal of Arlington High School.

For her part, Ursula Ghirardo was as effusive in returning the praise.

“In my experience, there is no better way for a community member to fully appreciate the Herculean efforts of our district superintendent and her administrators, the dedication of our teachers, staff and parents, and the overall complexity of providing an exceptional public school education to our children than to serve as a school board director,” Ghirardo said. “The work of the board is both gratifying and rewarding, and I count it a privilege to contribute my time and efforts alongside the many others who make it all happen in Arlington.”