Staff photo / Bob Coupland Marie Dockry of Austintown, center, was recognized for her 30 years of service as a board member on the Mahoning County Career & Technical Center board and the Educational Service Center of Eastern Ohio board. Dockry was honored Monday at the Ohio School Boards Association Northeast Region spring conference. Presenting the award was Kathy McFarland, OSBA chief executive officer, left, and Deborah Melda, northeast region OSBA president executive committee, right.

WARREN — The dedication and commitment of school board members was recognized and showcased at the annual Ohio School Boards Association Northeast Regiona’s spring conference.

Nearly 200 people attended the event Monday at DeLucia’s Banquet Center, where board members from 19 counties and 223 school districts were praised for their work.

Thomas Patterson of Sandusky, the 2025 president of the Ohio School Boards Association, said, “We are here to celebrate your service as board members.”

“We are celebrating your longevity on the boards. We have people who have served 30 and 40 years. We also celebrate what is happening in your school districts,” Patterson said.

Audience members shared information on various achievements of students and staff of their districts as well as upcoming projects, such as new building construction.

Patterson encouraged school districts to get their legislators into their school buildings.

“Show them what is going on and share what is taking place in academics and athletics,” Patterson said.

He said it is remarkable the work the board members do, putting themselves out in front of everyone and for the right reasons.

“I applaud them for what they are doing for our school districts,” Patterson said.

Jennifer Hogue, OSBA director of legislative services, said school board members are to be commended for the advocacy they have shown on behalf of schools and students.

“You are making a difference,” she said.

Kathy McFarland, OSBA chief executive officer, said service, commitment and leadership are among the characteristics of school board members.

“School districts thrive because of your leadership. Students reach their potential and teachers feel supported because of you. Thank you for your vision. Thank you for your passion. Most importantly, thank you for showing up time and time again to fight for what is right in public education. Your service and leadership matters, and the impact you have will be felt for generations to come,” McFarland said.

Among the various awards presented was the “Master Board Member Award” to Amie Crowder of Newton Falls, who serves on both the Newton Falls Board of Education and the Trumbull Career and Technical Center board.

“Being a board member is a calling to serve your community, the students and the state of Ohio. I take my role as a board member very seriously as we continue the educational process for our students,” she said.

Crowder said only five other board members in Trumbull County have ever achieved “Master Board Member.”

Crowder, who has served 22 years as a board member and is board president in Newton Falls, said she is the first in Newton Falls to receive the recognition. Crowder also received the OSBA Star Service Award and Training Award.

For 30 years of service as a board member, Marie Dockry was recognized with the 30-year Veteran Board Member honor.

Dockry, of Austintown, serves on boards for the Educational Service Center of Eastern Ohio and the Mahoning County Career & Technical Center.

“I feel so inspired to serve and feel education is so important. As a former guidance counselor and now a board member, it is so important to provide the avenues for students to succeed. Public education is so important and as board members we work to provide that to our students,” Dockry said.

Also recognized were programs and services provided by school districts.

The Austintown Local School District was honored for its “Community Service to Veterans” program and Newton Falls schools for the “Curious Tigers” and “Literacy Team: One School, One Book” program.

Many board members were recognized for 10, 15, 20, 30 and 40 years of service.