10/16/2026
The Mt. Zion Community Unit School District #3 Board of Education earned recognition from the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) for its exceptional governance practices. Mt. Zion CUSD #3 was one of 53 Illinois school districts, out of 849, to earn the 2026 School Board Governance Recognition honor for its effective governance behaviors and commitment to gaining the knowledge and skills needed to lead the district effectively.
IASB’s School Board Governance Recognition program acknowledges local boards of education that practice good governance behaviors as outlined by IASB's Foundational Principles of Effective Governance. The focus of Governance Recognition is on full board development and participation. Boards that meet the requirements are recognized with a two-year honorary distinction.
“It’s not a surprise that the Mt. Zion school board earned this honor,” said Superintendent Travis Roundcount. “Our board of education is an asset for our district, the students, and the entire community. “The board engages with the community on issues of importance, and they do an outstanding job of monitoring the district’s performance to ensure that we are meeting the goals that align with our mission,” said Roundcount.
Key information that contributed to the school board receiving this honor includes the district strategic plan and policy updates, which the board regularly shares with families, staff, and taxpayers through public meetings, the website, and two-way newsletters. Teachers and families actively participate in district planning through specialized committees focused on policy, wellness, employment, and construction, while student surveys provide direct insight into the educational experience. The board also uses performance data to track district progress and responds directly to community needs by remodeling science labs, installing adaptive playground equipment, and expanding staff to include additional nurses, social workers, and a Dean of Students. Through these combined efforts, the board has cultivated a collaborative, listening-focused culture that translates community feedback into meaningful action for every student.
The School Board Governance Recognition program aims to showcase how good governance positively impacts students, staff, and the entire district community. It provides an opportunity for districts to tell their story about programs and projects that are improving outcomes in their local school districts and offers board members a chance to highlight how continuous learning, both by individual board members and the full board team, results in improved governance for the board of education and positive outcomes for the district.
“This board has shown its commitment to the district and providing a high-quality educational experience for our students,” said Board President Jeff Sams. “There is a misconception that the work of the school board starts and stops at our regular board meetings. The majority of our work happens outside meetings: studying the issues, communicating with the community, advocating on behalf of our district. Serving on the school board is a lot of work, but it’s worth it to see our students achieve success and go on to do great things in their lives and for their communities,” reiterated Sams.
The Illinois Association of School Boards is a voluntary organization of local boards of education dedicated to strengthening the public schools through local citizen control. Although not a part of state government, IASB is organized by member school boards as a private not-for-profit corporation under authority granted by Article 23 of the Illinois School Code. More information about the IASB School Board Governance Recognition program is available on the Illinois Association of School Boards website.
