Rep. Phillips honored with OSBA President's Award

State Rep. Debbie Phillips (D-Albany) was presented with the Ohio School Board Association (OSBA) Southeast Region President’s Award Thursday evening during the region’s Annual Fall Conference. Every year, the President’s Award recognizes dedicated leadership in education and unwavering commitment to students in the Southeast region. 

“I appreciate the hard work school boards do every day to ensure our kids get the best education possible, and I am honored to have been selected for this award,” said Rep. Phillips. “I have always worked to advocate for students and public education, and although I will be leaving the legislature at the end of this year, I hope to continue that advocacy in other ways.”

Rep. Phillips has built her career fighting for educational opportunities for Ohio’s children. As founding Executive Director of the Ohio Fair Schools Campaign, Phillips spent years promoting quality public education statewide, prior to which she worked with local schools to provide peer mediation and conflict resolution training. During her four terms in the legislature, she has advanced and passed measures to increase emergency preparedness in schools and ensure disadvantaged students’ access to necessary school supplies, advanced language and AP classes, and broadband internet in classrooms. Rep. Phillips currently serves on the House Education Committee and Finance Subcommittee on Primary and Secondary Education.

“I’ve known Debbie since she was on Athens City Council, and she has always done her very best to solve problems. She takes her position seriously and works to address the issues important to the people she represents,” said Southeast Region President Bruce Nottke, who presented Rep. Phillips with the award. “When it comes to supporting public education, I would say she not only talks the talk but walks the walk.”

The award ceremony was held at Nelsonville-York Middle School in Nelsonville.