Two Dexter Community Schools board members earned awards from the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB) in 2024 for their efforts to improve their leadership skills, demonstrating their commitment to student achievement and their own continuous improvement.
Awards are earned for classes completed in MASB’s leadership training program, as well as for conference attendance, years of service, and leadership activities. The hours tallied for these awards are in addition to the time members spend at local meetings and school events. Board Secretary Daniel Alabré (appointed 2021; elected 2012) earned the Level 2 Award of Merit. Board Treasurer Jennifer Kangas (elected 2020) earned both the Level 2 Award of Merit and the Level 3 Award of Distinction.
According to their website, MASB was officially organized in 1949 with the mission to provide high-quality educational leadership services for all Michigan boards of education and to advocate for an equitable and exceptional public education that leads to improved outcomes for all students. Last year, more than 1,800 Michigan school board members participated in an MASB training or professional development workshop.
Superintendent Chris Timmis said that MASB provides invaluable resources for districts. “MASB offers essential training on school law, finance, operations, and transparency for new and experienced board members. When trustees invest their time to be educated on these topics, it improves board functioning and benefits the entire school community.”
Board President Elise Bruderly noted: “Dexter’s Board of Education takes its own education very seriously. As a Board we’ve committed to, and put into policy, an intention that each of our Board Trustees obtain the Certified Board Member award from MASB. Understanding issues related to school law, finance, advocacy, and data help us make good decisions at the Board table on behalf of the students and families of Dexter.”
Dan Alabré shared: “Just like our students, board trustees are learning every day. We constantly seek self improvement and education about school operations and educational issues to serve our school community and be the best stewards of DCS we can be.”
Jennifer Kangas added: “I am so appreciative of Dexter’s emphasis on board training and the resources that the MASB provides to all districts. I especially enjoy conferences. It’s uplifting to sit with hundreds of board members from all parts of the state who have diverse backgrounds and beliefs and are all working hard to support public education. The passion in those rooms and in the breakout sessions is palpable and helps keep me energized when I return to our board table. I have grown confident in the policies and procedures our board follows and have a solid understanding of the role of the board and how to navigate a variety of situations. I highly recommend every school board member participate in as many sessions as their schedule allows.”
