For first time in Georgia school board group’s history, a Columbus resident named president
For the first time in its 69-year history, the Georgia School Boards Association has a leader from Columbus.
Muscogee County School Board chairwoman and District 1 representative Pat Hugley Green was sworn in via video conference Friday as president of the GSBA, headquartered in Lawrenceville.
“I am both excited and honored to serve as president of GSBA,” Green told the Ledger-Enquirer in an emailed interview. “… As president, I want Muscogee County to be a leader and model of excellence in leadership and advocacy for public education.”
According to its website, the GSBA advocates for local control of public education. It offers members legislative representation, training, risk management and services in finance, law, policy, superintendent search and public engagement.
Green, an agent with Carolyn Hugley State Farm Insurance, has served on the Muscogee school board for 15 years. Among her roles with GSBA, she has been a committee member and a delegate at the Federal Relations Network conference hosted by the National School Boards Association.
She was elected to serve as GSBA vice president in 2018, elected again in 2019 as president-elect and will serve a one-year term as president.
Asked how Columbus benefits from having one of its citizens become GSBA president, Green noted that approximately 90% of school-age children attend Muscogee public schools, “and a highly effective governance team greatly improves opportunities for public education to be the great equalizer for families, the work force and our community.”
As for what she wants the GSBA to accomplish during her presidency, Green said, “The current focus has to be on legislation and best practices for reopening school safely and making the best policy decisions to not adversely affect students and educators through distant learning. Students need support with social emotional resources, internet access and connectivity and food insecurities.”
