Long-term school directors are being honored across the state by the Pennsylvania School Boards Association at local school board meetings. School directors are recognized for years of service from 8 years and up.
Jeffrey Watters, a member of the Quaker Valley School Board and School Board Treasurer, received recognition for 12 years of service. He was presented a certificate adding him to the PSBA Honor Roll of School Board Service. Watters will not return to the Board following the 2023 elections, as he is not seeking reelection.
“I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with a talented, dedicated, and diverse team of QVSD administrators, faculty, staff and directors during my decade on the Board,” said Board Treasurer Jeffrey Watters. “We have done our best to lead through a series of unprecedented challenges while remaining focused on serving the interests of current and future generations of this community’s children.”
“I believe that the Quaker Valley School District is a powerful testament to the adage that ‘communities that invest in education prosper,’” he continued. “And while I acknowledge that the cost of underwriting the ‘QV Difference’ is not cheap, as a long-time taxpayer and father of three young adults I believe the return on that investment justifies the spend. I look forward to supporting the continued good work of this District from my seat on the sidelines in the years to come.”
Marna Blackmer, an eight-year member of the Quaker Valley School Board and Board Vice President, also received recognition for her years of service. She was presented with a certificate adding her to the PSBA Honor Roll of School Board Service. Blackmer is not running for reelection in the 2023 elections and will leave the board in December.
“It has been my pleasure to serve this community for the past 8 years as a Quaker Valley School Board member and to have served as Board Vice President for the last 3 years. I will miss spending my Tuesday evenings with this incredible group of community members who volunteer to come together, put politics aside and work collaboratively with the District to provide students with an incredible education,” said Blackmer. “I appreciate that we have such thoughtful, supportive, and dedicated teachers, administrators, and staff. Having grown up in this district and having raised 3 children of my own here, I know just how special it is to live in and be part of the Quaker Valley community.”
PSBA representative Lena Hannah spoke about the recipients and their years of dedicated volunteer service to students, the community, and public education. Hannah spoke about how school board service is embedded in the history of our nation and its commitment to public education. Pennsylvania, as one of the founding colonies of the United States, established the concept of schooling in its first constitution in 1776. Later, the Pennsylvania Free School Act of 1834 marked the first permanent state interest in public education and the birth of the first elected school board in the nation.
Hannah reflected, “The consummate school directors are described as ethical, principled, individuals with a deep desire to serve. They believe in the value of our public schools and local control of public education for the benefit of all students.”