AASB Honors 2025 All-State School Board Award Winners
All-State School Board Awards Ceremony
12-Dec-2025
The Alabama Association of School Boards (AASB) is proud to announce the 2025 All-State School Board Award recipients honored during the association’s Annual Convention Dec. 4-6 at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa. The honorees included: 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. Through their combined 500+ hours of professional development and hands-on community engagement, they bring unwavering focus to student success and educational excellence,” said AASB Executive Director Sally Smith. “These leaders don't just govern—they inspire change, elevate excellence, and build bridges between classrooms and communities across our state."
AASB began its annual All-State School Board Member recognition program in 1992 to recognize up to five of Alabama's most outstanding school board members. The award is the highest honor the association bestows to recognize exemplary boardmanship. The 2025 recipients were celebrated during a Dec. 5 awards luncheon. Alabama's 2025-2026 Teacher of the Year Katie Collins served as the featured speaker.
Clinton C. Boyd, Jr., Macon County Board of Education
Clinton C. Boyd has served on the Macon County Board of Education since November 2020, currently serving as vice president. A retired U.S. Army Sergeant Major with 28 years of military service, Boyd has achieved master status in AASB’s School Board Member Academy, completing nearly 200 hours of professional development.
Boyd is known throughout Macon County for his dedication to service, including his role as trustee at Pine Grove AME Zion Church, his volunteer work with the VITA tax assistance program and his generosity in donating fresh vegetables from his farm to the local food pantry in Tuskegee.
A Vietnam War veteran, Boyd’s military background has instilled a steadfast dedication to excellence and strategic vision that he brings to board governance, where he consistently advocates for policies that ensure student health, safety and educational equity. His work in education extends beyond the boardroom, having previously served as senior Army instructor at several area high schools and as a music education teacher, inspiring countless students to develop discipline, leadership, and a sense of civic responsibility.
"Sergeant Major Clinton Boyd's leadership is marked by a deep sense of duty, humility, and effectiveness," said Macon County Schools Superintendent Dr. Melissa T. Williams. "He is a trusted partner in advancing the mission of our schools and a respected figure whose influence inspires those around him to strive for excellence."
View Boyd's Award Video
Travis Cummings, Madison Board of Education
Travis Cummings has served on the Madison Board of Education since June 2018, currently serving as board president after being reappointed in 2023. He has achieved master level status in AASB’s School Board Member Academy, accumulating over 230 hours of training.
A tireless advocate, Cummings has secured over $1 million in grants for programs, facilities and student opportunities through collaborative work with legislators and community leaders at the local, state and national level, emphasizing equitable funding and addressing challenges of unfunded mandates. He was recognized for his leadership in advocacy in 2024 as a recipient of AASB’s A-Team Advocacy Award.
Cummings’ leadership as board president has been instrumental in guiding Madison City Schools through significant enrollment increases of nearly 300 students annually. He has mobilized parents and community organizations while ensuring the system’s 13,000+ students have access to modern, equitable educational facilities through strategic planning and oversight of more than $160 million in renovation projects.
"Travis is a humble servant-leader who understands the importance of a quality education for all students. He has a heart for our special needs population and is always making sure we do all we can to meet their needs," said Connie Cox Spears, Madison City Council. "I cannot imagine anyone more deserving of the honor of All-State School Board member."
Cummings is active in various community and civic organizations, serving on the Madison Hospital Board, Leadership Greater Huntsville (Member L36) and as Rotary Club of Madison steering committee chair. His expertise as zoning enforcement coordinator for Huntsville's Planning Department has provided the school system with invaluable guidance in navigating rezoning challenges and construction oversight.
Yolaunda M. Daniel, Phenix City Board of Education
Yolaunda M. Daniel has served on the Phenix City Board of Education since January 2021 and currently serves as board chair. She has completed more than 165 hours of professional development training, achieving level 3 in the AASB School Board Member Academy.
Daniel is a strong advocate of full board member involvement in governance processes, cultivating transparency, accountability and shared responsibility while ensuring all voices are heard in collective decision-making. Under her leadership as board chair, the Phenix City Board of Education has earned the AASB Team Training Achievement Award five consecutive years.
Through her service on the Safety Task Force for Phenix City and previous service on the Phenix City-Russell County Library Board, Daniel actively fosters community collaboration. As President of the Mayor's Education & Charity Ball Committee, she has helped award over $200,000 in scholarships and grants to nonprofit agencies. She 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. She also serves on the Columbus Technical College Advisory Board.
"Mrs. Daniel is an invaluable asset to both the city of Phenix City and our school system. She is a woman of great integrity—loyal, dedicated, and deeply knowledgeable," said Phenix City Board of Education Vice Chair Katrina Collier-Long.
Shelia S. Dortch, Wilcox County Board of Education
Sheila Dortch has served on the Wilcox County Board of Education since August 2015, demonstrating exceptional leadership throughout her decade-long tenure. She has served as board president and vice president of the school board multiple years.
A former AASB District 2 Director, Dortch has represented Wilcox County at the state level, advocating for the needs of rural education. She has completed over 100 training sessions through AASB and achieved master honor roll status in AASB’s School Board Member Academy.
Dortch initiated and continues to participate in annual board member school visits, ensuring board members stay connected with students and educators. Her advocacy extends beyond the boardroom through her organization of after-school programs for the Coy Community, and her service as a PTO officer at three local schools from 1995 to 2015.
Her community involvement exemplifies her dedication to service. She serves as Secretary for both the Coy Volunteer Fire Department and the Phoenix Community Center board and is an active member of the Wilcox County Library Board. Through her work with BAMA Kids Youth Organization and as coordinator of the Baccalaureate Service for high school seniors, Dortch continues to support and inspire Wilcox County’s next generation of leaders. She has received the WAKA Giving Your Best Award and Parent of the Year Award, honors that reflect her impact on both education and the community.
"I have not observed anyone more active as board member than Mrs. Shelia Dortch,” said Wilcox County Schools Superintendent Dr. André P. Saulsberry. “Her visibility throughout the district and state is and has been phenomenal."
Wendell Saxon, Elmore County Board of Education
Wendell Saxon of Wetumpka has served on the Elmore County Board of Education since November 2018, earning 222 hours through AASB training programs and achieving master honor roll status in AASB’s School Board Member Academy.
Saxon provides financial support for student organizations, regularly visits schools and spearheaded a traffic safety initiative responsible for the installation of new traffic lights at busy intersections, improving safety for Wetumpka-area schools. Since 2020, he has led an annual Black History Month essay and poster contest for all county students and facilitated collaboration with the Elmore County Black History Museum for fifth-grade curriculum. He and his wife Yvonne sponsor an annual scholarship for seniors attending historically black colleges and universities.
An active community leader, Saxon serves as Wetumpka YMCA board vice-chairman, overseeing the swimming pool replacement and capital campaign fundraiser, and as second vice-president of the National Alumni Association for Alabama State University. He is a member of the NAACP-Elmore County Chapter and Fountain Chapel AME Church, as well as a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
"There is no other board member worthier to be recognized for this position than Wendell Saxon," said Elmore County Schools Superintendent Richard Dennis. "He is the epitome of hard work, active participation and fiscal and moral support for Elmore County Public Schools.”