By Becky Holland
COCHRAN — Bleckley County Schools has earned the Georgia School Boards Association’s (GSBA) 2026 Exemplary Governance Team Recognition, the highest level of achievement in the organization’s Governance Team Recognition Program.
The recognition honors the school district’s commitment to effective leadership, accountability, transparency, collaboration and continuous improvement.
The award recognizes the collective efforts of the Bleckley County Board of Education and district leadership in maintaining governance practices designed to strengthen schools and support student achievement.
Superintendent Dr. Trey Belflower said the recognition reflects a shared commitment to the school system and its students.
“Earning the Exemplary Governance Team Recognition reflects the dedication of our entire governance team,” Belflower said. “We are committed to working together to make thoughtful decisions, strengthen our schools, support our staff, and create opportunities for every student to succeed.”
The Bleckley County Board of Education consists of five members representing the district’s communities:
- Shanna Evans: Chair, District 5
- Brandon Keel: Vice Chair, District 3
- Heather McDaniel: District 1
- Phillip Lester: District 2
- Amy Williams: District 4
To earn the distinction, the district’s governance team successfully met criteria established by the Georgia School Boards Association. Those standards emphasize strategic leadership, effective governance, accountability and a demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement.
GSBA’s Governance Team Recognition Program was established in 1998 by Georgia superintendents and school board members. Based on the State Board of Education’s Standards for Effective Governance, the program recognizes school governance teams for their commitment to leadership and continuous growth.
The program includes three levels of recognition: Quality, Distinguished and Exemplary.
The Exemplary designation represents the highest achievement available through the program.
The recognition adds another statewide honor for Bleckley County Schools, reflecting the district’s ongoing efforts to maintain high standards in both educational achievement and school system leadership.
Additional information about GSBA’s Governance Team Recognition Program is available at gsba.com/awards.
Leave a Reply