BRANSON, MO (July 19, 2023) – The Branson R-IV Board of Education is among 17 Missouri school boards earning the Missouri School Boards’ Association’s 2023 Governance Team Award.

Included in the photo from left to right: outgoing MSBA President Ray Murphy, School Board Member Dan Boone, School Board Member Carolyn Boss, School Board President Roger Frieze, School Board Vice President Sonja Myer, School Board Member Lane McConnell, School Board Member Cole Currier, MSBA Executive Director Melissa Randol, and Superintendent Brad Swofford. (Not pictured: School Board Member Dustin Price.)

This prestigious award is based on the outstanding commitment of the school board and superintendent to ongoing professional development in effective governance practices. The award also recognizes their commitment to regional and statewide leadership and to active participation in legislative advocacy for public schools and the students they serve.

The school board in each awarded district achieved the following criteria:

● The district is fully accredited.

● All seven school board members completed the Essential new board member certification from MSBA.

● All seven board members fulfilled the Refresher Training requirement for the current year through MSBA.

● At least two board members attained the Advanced level of certification from MSBA.

● At least one board member attained the Master level of certification.

● At least a quorum of the board and the superintendent attended the 2022 MSBA Annual Conference and a regional meeting during the past year.

● A representative attended the 2023 MSBA Advocacy Day.

● A board member representative participated in MSBA’s Delegate Assembly.

The school boards and superintendents receiving the award were recognized during MSBA’s Summer Summit held June 16 - 17 at the Chateau on the Lake Resort.

The Missouri School Boards’ Association is a not-for-profit association that exists to help school boards ensure all students succeed.