HOWLAND — January is the state’s School Board Recognition Month, and the district’s superintendent wanted to show gratitude to both current and former members of the Howland Board of Education.

At Monday’s regular board meeting, Superintendent Kevin Spicher recognized and presented board members Brianne Perry and Jeff Pegg with certificates for their two years of service and Julie Altawil for her eight years of service.

Also recognized were Ken Jones and Wendy Miller, board members who departed after choosing not to seek reelection in November. Abigail Reynolds and Kelly Vennitti took their places, being sworn in at the board’s reorganizational meeting earlier that evening.

Spicher noted the role board members play not just to students’ families, but the Howland community as a whole.

“We have 18,000 taxpayers out there (that) the school boards have to serve, as well as being good stewards of taxpayer dollars and making sure that the efficiencies are put in place in appropriate ways for the operations and fiscal end of the district,” Spicher said. “We appreciate their commitments, and they last throughout the entire school year.”

Spicher said they could not go without recognizing Jones, who was present in the audience and served the district for 15 years — starting in February 2011.

Jones thanked the district, calling his time on the board “very fulfilling and very rewarding”.

“It’s a good organization — you know, ups and downs, but seems to come through,” Jones said. “Got a good board moving forward. Congratulations to the new people, and I just want to thank everybody for tolerating me for the last 15 years, and I really appreciate it.”

Pegg thanked Jones, recalling the support he provided to both himself and Perry when they first joined.

“He’d lean over and just whisper to us, and we learned a lot real quick,” Pegg said. “There are some do’s and don’ts that have to take place and it was great to have you there.”

Jones said he’ll still be around and the district will still have his support — it just won’t be from his previous position, noting that he’s losing a bit of time on Mondays.

“Plus, I think it’s nice to have a good turnover, have some fresh minds on there,” Jones said.