Markling Earns State School Board's Highest Honor

Matthew John Markling, president of the , has been awarded the lifetime distinction of Master Board Member — the highest honor given by the by the Ohio School Boards Association.

Markling accomplished the distinction in his first term on the board.

The OSBA Master Board Member lifetime distinction is presented to a select group of board members who dedicate themselves to improving their skills and knowledge as a board member, according to a statement provided by the district.

Of the more than 3,400 board members in Ohio, Markling is one of only four recognized as a Master Board Member in 2011.

According to the release, the honor is achieved through attending numerous professional development workshops and activities; demonstrating outstanding leadership on school boards; and actively giving back to the educational community through various local and statewide OSBA activities. 

“Matt Markling's efforts demonstrate a true commitment to public education and reflect the importance he attaches to his role as a school board member,” OSBA Executive Director Rick Lewis said in a press release.

In acknowledging the award, Markling saluted the long history of board members before him .

 “The Master Board Member lifetime distinction is especially important to me because the Lakewood City Schools has a legacy of excellent board members,” said Markling. 

In addition to receiving the OSBA Master Board Member Award, Markling was also the recipient of the “OSBA Award of Achievement” for his commitment toward public education. Markling is one of only 81 Ohio school board members who received the OSBA Award of Achievement in 2011. This is the second consecutive year Markling has received this honor. Markling is also the only Lakewood school board member to have ever earned either the Master Board Member Award or the OSBA Award of Achievement.

Markling accepted both awards at OSBA’s Northeast Region Spring Conference in Smithville on March 23.

In addition to serving as President of the Lakewood Board of Education, Markling is a founder of the state-wide law firm of McGown & Markling Co., L.P.A.

He is also general counsel for the Ohio Educational Service Center Association; an adjunct faculty member for the University of Akron School of Law; a member of both the Ohio Council of School Board Attorneys and North American Association of Educational Negotiators; and an Executive Committee Member of the Northeast Region Ohio School Boards Association.

Markling is seeking re-election to his post this fall.