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Suffolk Public Schools held a presentation with a special guest from the Virginia School Boards Association during their Wednesday, Feb. 8 meeting. President of the Virginia School Boards Association, Dr. Cardell Patillo, gave warm greetings to the Suffolk School Board to help commemorate School Boards Appreciation Month as part of his President’s Roadshow and goal to maintain strong relationships with Virginia school divisions.

“I am honored to stand before you as the President of the Virginia School Boards Association and also [as] a fellow member of the School Board Member from Portsmouth city division,” Patillo said. “…Today marks the third stop on my President’s Roadshow around the Commonwealth and I couldn’t be more pleased to continue this journey with you during School Boards Appreciation Month. Your role as advocates for children in the Commonwealth is both vital and challenging, and I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your countless hours that you dedicate shaping the future of our youth.”

During his presentation, Patillo presented the official proclamation signed by Governor Glenn Youngkin in honor of Virginia school board members for the commemorative month. Patillo read the following proclamation:

“Whereas school board members are elected to represent the interest of students, teachers, parents and other stakeholders, and whereas school boards play a vital role in ensuring that students across the commonwealth have access to a high quality and rigorous education in our best position to uphold educational excellence in Virginia schools. And whereas school boards are the governing bodies responsible for the oversight, success and effectiveness of school systems across the commonwealth,” Patillo read. “Now therefore I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize February 2024 as School Board Appreciation Month in our Commonwealth of Virginia and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.”