The Alabama Association of School Boards presented State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris with the association’s highest honor, the 2021 Champion for Children Award, during the annual AASB Convention held Dec. 2-4 in Birmingham.

The Champion for Children Award is given periodically to recognize those who exemplify extraordinary efforts to support Alabama’s public schools and schoolchildren. 

The AASB Board of Directors voted to recognize Harris for his leadership of the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) in providing timely and science-based health guidance during the coronavirus pandemic, aiding school systems across the state with making vital decisions to keep students and school staff safe.

“AASB recognizes Dr. Harris for his tremendous efforts to keep Alabama students safe as school systems battled the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic,” AASB Executive Director Smith. “His guidance has helped keep our school boards informed during a period of unprecedented decision making.” 

More than 400 school board members from across the state attended the AASB convention during which Harris received the honor. He received a standing ovation during the award presentation. 

"I am truly honored to receive the Champion for Children award, and I am very grateful to AASB,” said Dr. Harris. “Our teachers and administrators have worked tirelessly during the pandemic to continue their mission of educating our children, and I am proud that Public Health could play a role in supporting this effort. Alabama's children are truly our most important resource."

As ADPH continues to share recommendations and best practices over the course of the pandemic, AASB President Ronnie Owens said the leadership of Harris and his team of experts remains critical. 

“Our school boards could not have navigated the pandemic thus far without the sound recommendations and support from Dr. Harris and his team at the Alabama Department of Public Health,” Owens said. 

Some past recipients of AASB’s Champion for Children Award have included Dr. Ed Richardson, Dr. Tommy Bice and Representative Bill Poole. 

General session speakers for this year’s AASB Convention included professor and principal tubist, Dr. Richard A. White; Former NFL player, consultant and author, Matt Mayberry; Umatilla School System Superintendent Dr. Heidi Sipe; Deputy Director of Legislative Services Agency – Fiscal Division, Kirk Fulford; and Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama (PARCA) Executive Director Ryan Hankins.