A local school board member received one of the top honors in the state for board members this month.
Gloria H. Lang, 79, a member of the Liberty Local Board of Education, is among five public school board members named to the Ohio School Boards Association's 2010 All-Ohio School Board.
The new members will be recognized Nov. 10 at the 55th annual OSBA Capital Conference and Trade Show in Columbus.
"I was very, very pleased when I heard about it," Lang said. "Anything brings recognition to our district I'm in favor of. I'm pleased it's an award from my peers. That means a great deal and is very meaningful."
OSBA Executive Director Richard Lewis will recognize the All-Ohio School Board members on the final day of the Capital Conference, a four-day convention attended by more than 10,000 Ohio school board members, superintendents, treasurers, business officials and other school leaders.
Every year OSBA names one board of education member from each of its five regions - Central, Northeast, Northwest, Southeast and Southwest - to the All-Ohio School Board. The candidates are nominated by their respective school boards. OSBA regional committees then select the five winners.
Lang, who has been a school board member for five years, represents OSBA's Northeast Region. She has served as board president or vice president for two of those years. A General Motors retiree, she owns and operates Accu Pro Tax Service in Youngstown. Lang also is a member of the National Association of Accountants, National Association of Enrolled Agents, Liberty Business Association and American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers.
She serves on the school district's negotiating committee, Relay for Life Committee, Liberty Alumni Hall of Fame and the Blott Needy Kids Organization, which provides clothing and gifts for students in kindergarten. She created and maintains two online blogs: All ThingsLiberty.com, an idea exchange for school and government issues, and Gloria's Newsletter, which highlights activities and achievements of Liberty students and staff.
Lang said she is particularly proud of the programs the school board has implemented through tough economic times as well as raising the district's academic standing to excellent.
"During these difficult times, it's been tough," she said. "We're all very, very proud of the things we've done under these very difficult circumstances."