The Sarah Jane Gilliland Distinguished Service Award

2008 Sarah Jane Gilliland Distinguished Service Awardee:
Deanne Elliott

Deanne Elliott, CASB’s immediate past president and former member of the Sargent Re-33J Board of Education, is the recipient of the 2008 Sarah Jane Gilliland Distinguished Service Award. This award recognizes a current or former member of a board of education who provided outstanding service at the local, state and national levels. Recipients are selected by the CASB Board of Directors.

A calm and warm presence, Deanne is nothing less than the most staunch supporter of children and their complete and relevant education. In her CASB President position, her strong commitment to public education extended well beyond her CASB region boundaries, to all of Colorado.

“The true focus of Deanne’s presidency was to unite our entire state—to recognize that we have different needs, but in the end, all school districts have the same goal, to provide the best education for our students,” said current CASB President Jane Barnes.

So true, as last year, whenever given the chance, Deanne explained to CASB members that Colorado school districts are stronger together, and that together we can make a tangible difference for public education in Colorado. She applied this ideal to her relationships on the CASB Board of Directors as well—valuing input from every board member before coming to a conclusion on major education issues.

Deanne took her message throughout Colorado last year traveling all the way from her home in the San Luis Valley attending too many meetings and conferences to count, representing CASB and its mission of advancing excellence in public education through locally elected school boards.

Throughout Deanne’s year as CASB President, she was met with great challenges personally and professionally. She handled herself with grace and wisdom letting her values and deep passion for children’s success be her guide.

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The award is named in honor of a CASB employee who provided distinguished service to public education for more than 17 years. Sarah Jane Gilliland, CASB director of policy services from 1977 to 1995, died August 26, 1995.