The Georgia School Boards Association has recognized the Fayette County Board of Education as an exemplary board, the highest level of recognition that can be achieved through the organization’s three tier, three-year awards process designed to offer school boards additional ways to increase effectiveness.

This marks the third time that the Fayette County Board of Education has achieved exemplary status.

According to the GSBA website, criteria to earn this highest level of achievement include: having a system strategic plan in place with the incorporation of 15 Georgia Vision Project recommendations; conducting self-assessments using a self-assessment instrument along with an exemplary committee consisting of a minimum of two community stakeholders, two board members, and a central office administrator; completing an annual superintendent evaluation using an evaluation instrument that incorporates strategic plan district goals; participating in local board of education training with all board members meeting state training credit requirements as well as exceeding annual training requirements. Additionally, the local school board and district must comply with standards of selected applicable accreditation associations while also abiding by their code of ethics policy and maintaining fiscal responsibility. 

GSBA started the recognition program in 2013. School boards begin by earning quality board status, then working to obtain distinguished status, and finally the third and highest tier, exemplary. The recognition has to be renewed every year by submitting proof that school boards have met the criteria needed to achieve the status of recognition for which they are applying. 

The Fayette County Board of Education consists of Dr. Barry Marchman, chairman, District 1; Scott Hollowell, vice chairman, District 3; Brian Anderson, District 5; Diane Basham, District 2; and Leonard Presberg, District 4.