DAPHNE, Ala.—Three Baldwin County school board members advanced to a new board-member level and will be honored with 254 other statewide members at the Alabama Association of School Boards’ annual convention, set for Dec. 2-4.

Tracy Roberts, Elmer McDaniel and Angie Swiger have jumped up one level because of their efforts to improve their boardmanship skills, increase their understanding of education issues and heighten their leadership skills by participating in the AASB’s academy.

Roberts—board of education District 7 member and board president—has achieved “master” status, which is the highest level and requires 150 training hours and one core curriculum course. District 7 includes areas from Spanish Fort, Daphne, Fairhope and Montrose.

“Any time a school board member goes to a meeting and participates in learning material, they give you a certain amount of credit for the amount of time you commit to professional development,” Roberts said. “(The core curriculum class) is usually an all-day or half-day class that goes a little more in-depth as opposed to an hour-long class.”

McDaniel—District 3 board member— reached level four at the academy, which requires 100 training hours and eight core curriculum courses. District 3 includes parts of Robertsdale, Silver Hill, Foley and Summerdale.

“It’s just various training sessions,” McDaniel said. “In my situation that’s occurred over the last eight years. It’s a cumulative type thing.”

Being within a certain level does not entitle a board member to anything except for recognition that he or she has completed the curriculum and training hours required.

Swiger—District 5 board member—jumped to level two, which requires 50 training hours. District 5 covers Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and some areas of Elberta and Bon Secour. Swiger has been a school board member for three years.

“(The conferences) have break-out sessions and work sessions that allow you to become a better school board member,” Swiger said.

The three county school board members are from AASB’s District 1, which comprises the Baldwin, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Mobile, Monroe and Washington county school boards; the Brewton and Thomasville city school boards; and the Alabama School of Math and Science.

The classes are held in different locations throughout the year.

“We had a district meeting recently that was held at Bay Minette Middle School,” Roberts said. “I went to one in October held in Montgomery. They’re around the state, but twice a year they do have a district meeting that is, if not in the county, in the area.”

The academy—an ongoing school for school board members founded in 1986—offers workshops in eight areas: roles and responsibilities; policy and planning; financial accountability; the optimal learning environment; academic achievement; staff development; effective boards and relationships; and community engagement.