Alabama School Board Members Honored with 2025 All-State School Board Award

By Staff Report

The Alabama Association of School Boards recognized five outstanding school board members from across the state during its 2025 All-State School Board Award ceremony, held Dec. 4–6 at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa.

This year’s honorees are Clinton C. Boyd Jr. of the Macon County Board of Education; Travis Cummings of the Madison City Board of Education; Yolaunda Daniel of the Phenix City Board of Education; Shelia Dortch of the Wilcox County Board of Education; and Wendell Saxon of the Elmore County Board of Education.

“These exceptional board members represent the bold leadership that transforms Alabama schools,” AASB Executive Director Sally Smith said. “Through their combined 500-plus hours of professional development and hands-on community engagement, they bring unwavering focus to student success and educational excellence. These leaders don’t just govern — they inspire change, elevate excellence and build bridges between classrooms and communities across our state.”

AASB launched the All-State School Board Award program in 1992 to honor up to five of Alabama’s most exemplary school board members each year. The recognition is the highest bestowed by the association. The 2025 recipients were celebrated during a Dec. 5 awards luncheon featuring Alabama’s 2025–2026 Teacher of the Year Katie Collins as keynote speaker.

Phenix City’s Yolaunda M. Daniel Among Honorees

Yolaunda M. Daniel, who has served on the Phenix City Board of Education since January 2021 and currently serves as board chair, was honored for her leadership and professional development accomplishments. Daniel has completed more than 165 hours of training through the AASB School Board Member Academy, achieving Level 3 status.

Daniel is recognized for championing transparency, accountability and meaningful participation among all board members. Under her leadership, the Phenix City Board of Education has earned the AASB Team Training Achievement Award for five consecutive years.

Her civic involvement extends beyond the school system. Daniel serves on the Phenix City Safety Task Force and previously on the Phenix City–Russell County Library Board. As president of the Mayor’s Education & Charity Ball Committee, she has helped award more than $200,000 in scholarships and grants to local nonprofit organizations. She also serves on the Columbus Technical College Advisory Board and is an active member of Franchise Missionary Baptist Church, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Jack and Jill of America, Inc., and the Russell County NAACP.

“Mrs. Daniel is an invaluable asset to both the city of Phenix City and our school system,” said Phenix City Board of Education Vice Chair Katrina Collier-Long. “She is a woman of great integrity — loyal, dedicated and deeply knowledgeable.”

The All-State School Board Award continues to highlight the vital role board members play in shaping Alabama’s public education landscape through service, advocacy and community engagement.