School Director Recognition: Board members honored with annual book donations

January is designated as School Director Recognition Month, recognizing the time, dedication, and commitment school board members give to our schools and communities throughout the year. In North Hills, this observance includes a long-standing district tradition of selecting a book to be donated to a school library in each board member's honor.

At the start of the January 15 school board meeting, the district recognized its school directors and solicitor and presented each with their selected book. As part of the recognition, board members' children shared a few words before presenting the book, a small but meaningful way to say thank you.

The following books were selected by the district and donated this year:

Allison Mathis, President (School Director since 2017)
“Dream” by Barbara O’Connor, donated to the McIntyre Elementary School library

Helen “Dee” Spade, Vice President (School Director since 2015)
“The Snow Thief” by Alice Hemming, donated to the Highcliff Elementary School library

Samantha Ellwood (School Director since 2023)
“Aloha Everything” by Kaylin Melia George, donated to the Ross Elementary School library

Dr. Anthony Hall (School Director since 2025)
“Around the Spider-Verse” by Pablo Leon, Jason Reynolds, and Roseanne A. Brown, donated to the West View Elementary School library

Sandy Kozera (School Director since 2017)
“Spectacular Sisters” by Aura Lewis, donated to the West View Elementary School library

Phil Little (School Director since 2019)
“Call Me Roberto! Roberto Clemente Goes to Bat for Latinos” by Nathalie Alonso, donated to the Ross Elementary School library

Rachael Rennebeck (School Director since 2019)
“What It’s Like to Be a Bird” by David Allen Sibley, donated to the North Hills Middle School library

Mike Santucci (School Director since 2021)
“The American Revolution: An Intimate History” by Geoffrey C. Ward and Ken Burns, donated to the North Hills High School library

Ashley Stephens (School Director since 2023)
“Ursula Upside Down” by Corey R. Tabor, donated to the McIntyre Elementary School library

Mike Witherel (Solicitor since 1983)
“The Humble Pie” by Jory John and Pete Oswald, donated to the Highcliff Elementary School library

The North Hills School District thanks its school board members and solicitor for their leadership, dedication and continued service to the students, staff and families of the North Hills community, and for the important role they play in supporting our schools.