Ware County Schools has earned the Georgia School Boards Association’s (GSBA) 2026 Exemplary Governance Team Recognition, the highest level of achievement in GSBA’s Governance Team Recognition Program. This honor recognizes the governance team’s exceptional commitment to effective governance, continuous improvement, transparency, and collaboration—all of which support strong district leadership and student success.
“Earning the Exemplary Governance Team Recognition reflects the dedication of our entire governance team,” said Superintendent Dr. Lynn Barber. “We are committed to working together to make thoughtful decisions, strengthen our schools, support our staff, and create opportunities for every student to succeed.”
To earn the Exemplary Governance Team Recognition, the Ware County Schools governance team successfully met the rigorous criteria established by GSBA. These criteria reflect the highest standards of effective governance, strategic leadership, accountability, and continuous improvement.
GSBA’s Governance Team Recognition Program was established in 1998 by Georgia superintendents and board members and is based on the State Board of Education’s Standards for Effective Governance. As one of the first programs of its kind in the nation, it recognizes Georgia school governance teams for their commitment to effective governance and continuous growth.
The GSBA Governance Team Recognition Program includes three levels: Quality, Distinguished, and Exemplary. Achieving the Exemplary level represents the highest level of recognition within the program and reflects a governance team’s commitment to exemplary governance practices and leadership.
For more information about GSBA’s Governance Team Recognition Program, including recognition levels and criteria, visit the GSBA Awards and Recognition webpage at gsba.com/awards/.