By Jeff Eubanks,
SPSD public information officer
South Panola School District School Board vice president Lygunnah Bean was recently named the Mississippi School Boards Association’s School Board Member of the Year for 2015 in recognition of his distinguished leadership as a school board member.
 The award honors a current school board member who demonstrates outstanding leadership by effective efforts in: advocating for children; increasing student achievement; understanding school board governance; and, involving the community in children’s education.
 Bean, a member, and former president, of the SPSD School Board since 1992, is the district’s first honoree of the coveted award, which has been distributed since 2009.
“It is an honor to receive this award, but this recognition would not be possible without the efforts put forth by those who make up the South Panola School District, the city of Batesville and Panola County,” Bean said. “We are blessed to live in such a wonderful community that values the importance of a good education.”
For the award, board members were nominated by other board members, superintendents and community members. The MSBA Board Member of the Year Selection Committee was comprised of either current or past school board presidents from each of Mississippi’s Congressional Districts.
 “Mr. Bean has consistently made decisions that have been in the best interest of students,” SPSD Superintendent Tim Wilder said. “His foremost goal has always been the academic success of Panola County students and all students of the state of Mississippi.”
 Bean served as presidential appointee to the MSBA Board of Directors twice before being elected to the MSBA Board.
Along with serving as MSBA president in 2008-09, he also served on several educational committees with the MSBA and National School Boards Association.
 Prior to joining the school board, Bean studied tool and die at Northwest Mississippi Community College before opting to pursue studies in computer programming and earning certification in the field.
He used his background in computer programming to develop and install a computerized road and bridge system for Panola County, where he serves as the county road manager.
In addition to his duties with the county, Bean also owns Bean’s Computer Printing – a computer consulting, bookkeeping and accounting business.
A strong advocate for children, Bean has actively worked as a volunteer for the Boys and Girls Club of Northwest Mississippi, serving as a member of the organization’s Personnel Committee.
Bean has also served as president of the Community Vocation Relations Committee for the Batesville Job Corps Center.
He and his wife, Deborah, have been married for 38 years, and the couple have two daughters, and two grandchildren.