In this day and age, school board members not only have to contend with hiring staff and deciding curriculum issues, but struggle with tightened state funding and fluctuating local revenue.

Substitute Woodland Hills Superintendent Alan Johnson pointed out the tasks that face district school board members as he took time to recognize their efforts during Wednesday's board meeting. Johnson noted that board members are unpaid and give what's probably more than 20 hours each month to serving the district.

Woodland Hills board members are: President Regis Driscoll, Vice President Marilyn Messina, Robert Clanagan, Brian K. Estocin, Colleen Filiak, Jeffrey Hanchett, Fred Kuhn, Tara Reis and Robert Tomasic.

In addition to receiving a certificate, the board members each received a copy of the book "The Pursuit with Patience," written by former Pittsburgh Steeler and Woodland Hills alumni Wes Lyons. 

"The news makes us notorious," said Messina, one of several references made by people at the meeting to what's perceived by many in the district as negative portrayal of the district's students by the Pittsburgh news media

Messina said it is an "honor to have rubbed elbows" with some of the district's famous alumni like Lyons during her more than 25 years on the board—graduates who have been successful in their various pursuits.

_______________________

"Like" Patch on Facebook. | Follow us on Twitter. | Sign up for our daily email newsletter.