Oconee School Board Showered with Praise, Gifts

Balloons, potted flowers and chocolate-dipped strawberry bouquets adorned the room, emulating the festive mood at Monday's meeting of the Oconee County Board of Education.

March 11-17, 2012 is School Board Appreciation Week in Georgia, a time when members of all 180 locally-elected boards across the state are recognized, Superintendent John Jackson explained.

"In the case of our Board of Education --which works for zero pay-- it's truly public service," he said. "So we want to say to each one of you that we appreciate the work you render on behalf of our students, our most precious resource in Oconee County."

In addition to the gifts and plaques from the schools, board members were thanked with certificates and treats from the Oconee County Association of Educators.