The Georgia School Boards Association has named the Dougherty County Board of Education a "Distinguished Board," for 2017.

Board members collected the recognition during GSBA's Winter Conference in Atlanta.

The Distinguished Board Recognition is the second tier of the GSBA's Board Recognition program and requires boards to build collaboration within the community, enact provisions of the Georgia Vision Project and to participate in training above the minimums required by state law.

The recognition program was designed to showcase best practices in school governance and leadership. GSBA recognizes good school board governance to foster educational community cultures in order to advance student learning and achievement.

"This just further proves that our board is working together and getting things done," Board Chair Velvet Riggins said. "We're committed to working together and with Dr. Mosely to make sure the Dougherty County School System is the best it can be."

It's the second straight year that the Dougherty County Board of Education has received recognition from the GSBA. Last year, the board was named a "Quality Board," which is the first tier recognition.

The "Distinguished Board" recognition allows the board to shoot for GSBA's highest board recognition, the "Exemplary Board" status.

The GSBA Governance Team Recognition Program was developed by Georgia superintendents and board members based on the state board of education’s standards for effective governance to recognize distinguished leadership.

In 1998, the Georgia School Boards Association was one of the first school board associations in the nation to develop a program of standards for local boards of education.