The role of a public school board member has become one of the most difficult positions in our nation. As school boards deal with increasing academic standards and decreasing financial resources to accomplish these standards, it requires more time and dedication than at any other time in our history.

Understanding the importance of balancing academic support, as well as the ever increasing need for student safety, puts today's school boards at a higher level of responsibility than ever before.

Local school boards must provide a passionate advocacy for the welfare of students to all levels of government. This advocacy requires significant understanding of how decisions made in Olympia and Washington, D.C., affect the school districts in which school board members serve.

Members of the Prosser School District School board: Dr. Tim Rankin, Win Taylor, Gayle Wheeler, Travis Davis and Jermey Tuttle, have consistently proved they do what is necessary to send a clear message regarding the needs of our students to our lawmakers.

Please join me in thanking our board for the difficult work they have undertaken. As well-deserved recognition, outgoing Gov. Chris Gregoire has proclaimed January as School Board Recognition Month. I urge you to recognize the work and dedication of our school board.

RAY TOLCACHER, Prosser