Avelar Encourages Community to Nominate Exceptional School Board Members for Education Award

BOLINGBROOK, Ill. — State Rep. Dagmara Avelar, D-Bolingbrook, is inviting community members to nominate a member of their local school board for the Thomas Lay Burroughs Award. The award is presented annually to an outstanding member of an Illinois school board by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).

“Our community’s school board members work tirelessly to provide our children with a high-quality education,” Avelar said. “This is the perfect opportunity to recognize these public servants whose hard work is often overlooked. I highly encourage anyone who has seen a local school board member exhibit exemplary leadership to nominate them for statewide recognition.”

Anyone who has served as a member of a local school board in 2022 is eligible for consideration. Criteria for nomination include:

• Personal leadership in improving student learning, closing achievement gaps, and supporting educational excellence; and/or
• Personal leadership in expanding educational opportunities for underserved students; and/or
• Personal leadership in resolving a crisis or major difficulty with the result of more equitable outcomes for students.

ISBE will accept nominations until the close of business on Friday, Oct. 21. More information and the nomination form can be found at https://www.isbe.net/Pages/thomas-lay-burroughs-award.aspx.