John Wroblewski honored for 16 years on school board
By Anya Tikka
MILFORD — John Wroblewski, a 16-year member of the Delaware Valley School District’s Board of Education, was honored at the board's recent meeting for his long service to the district.
Board Vice President Zachary Pearce presented him with the Pennsylvania School Boards Award (PSBA). Pearce is the PSBA's Eastern Pennsylvania member relations coordinator.
“Each year the PSBA does their Honor Roll," said Pearce. "As members hit their four years of service, starting with eight years of service, each four years they award a certificate and a plaque at 24 years. I have three plaques in my territory."
Pearce acknowledged Wroblewski’s commitment to the district.
“In the world of school board members, you certainly need to volunteer your time, get down through all the promises, figures, school law, case law, all that stuff that affect today’s tough kids and their future," he said. "That’s what we’re all here for."
He continued: “Two things came to mind for tonight’s presentation. One was one of my favorite movies, Man of Honor.”
He explained it’s about the first African American Naval officer who eventually earns respect and becomes a senior diver. At the end of the movie, he loses his leg in an accident, and the Navy wants to decommission him. To prove he can continue, he has to take 12 steps, which he manages to do.
“I don’t know why anyone would want to be a Navy diver,” Pearce said. “It’s similar to 'I don’t know why anyone would want to be a school board member.'”
School board member make decisions that may be wise, wrong, or unpopular, he said. But he quoted Theodore Roosevelt’s wisdom that you have to do something: “At any moment of making a decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing. The next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing."
The school board is embedded in the history of the nation and its commitment since 1776 to public education, said Pearce. "School members have a challenging role in a complex society, giving more and more of their personal time to this volunteer, non-paying effort," he said.
He presented the award to Wroblewski saying the PSBA honors those who exemplify leadership and statesmanship, and who focus their time and talent for the future of public schools.