ISHPEMING — Ishpeming Public Schools is joining 544 local and 57 intermediate school districts across Michigan in recognizing January and School Board Recognition Month.

“In a year full of challenges for public education not seen in recent history, our school board members persevered through the adversity of 2020 to provide the best possible education for our students,” IPS Superintendent Carrie Meyer said in a news release.

School board members represent the views and priorities of their community in the complex system of maintaining and running a district’s public schools, Meyer said, and they also reinforce the principle of local control over public education.

“Even though we are making a special effort during January to show appreciation for our school board members, we recognize their contributions reflect a year-round effort on their part,” Meyer said.

IPS board members are: Gwen Bruhnke, Scott Lyman, Timothy Hares, Robert Nadeau, Joseph Routhier, Darin Hooper and Greg Maki.