The Feb. 27 Central Region Spring Conference broke our previous all-time attendance record of 225, when 232 board members, administrators and guests gathered at the Villa Milano in Columbus.

They were treated to an excellent program, which included a presentation by Jamie Meade and Ted Knapke of the ESC of Franklin County on effective responses to outside accountability measures.

Region President W. Carlton Weddington, Columbus City, served as master of ceremonies for the evening. Entertainment was provided by the Metropolitan Singers from Columbus City Schools.

OSBA President Edward A. Bischoff, Delaware-Union ESC and Delaware Area Career Center, and OSBA Executive Director Richard Lewis presented greetings and association updates. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Susan Tave Zelman also was on hand to deliver a brief presentation.

The region recognized outstanding programs and teachers, board member milestones, and Award of Achievement and Master Board Member recipients.

Seventeen district programs were honored as 2007 Central Region Outstanding School Programs. The four Central Region Ohio Teacher of the Year nominees were recognized with gift bags containing personalized pens, notepads, chocolate, a T-shirt, a hat and a framed certificate. Check the Ohio Department of Education Web site for details on nominating a teacher from your district for the award in 2009.

The region also recognized six veteran board members for 20 years of service; two for 15 years and 25 for 10 years. Eight board members received the OSBA Award of Achievement, with two of those being honored as Master Board Members and receiving marble plaques from President Bischoff: William Greg McCarty, South-Western City; and Bernie Kessler, formerly of Buckeye Central Local (Crawford).

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© Ohio School Boards Association, 2008