ROCKY RIVER, Oh. – Rocky River Board of Education member Addie Olander has achieved a rare distinction, earning not one but two prestigious awards from the Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA) for 2025.
Olander received both the Aptitude Award (October, 2022) and the Recognition Award as part of OSBA’s esteemed STAR Awards Program, placing her among an elite group of Ohio’s most dedicated school board members.
The recognition is particularly noteworthy given the competitive nature of these honors. Out of more than 3,400 school board members across Ohio, only 55 will receive the Aptitude Award this year, while just 15 will receive the Recognition Award.
Olander’s dual recognition underscores her exceptional commitment to professional development and exemplary service to public education.
The Ohio School Board Association STAR Program
The STAR Awards Program— Service, Training, Aptitude, and Recognition—is designed to acknowledge school board members who demonstrate outstanding dedication to good governance and continuous learning.
The Aptitude Award recognizes board members who have demonstrated significant professional growth and knowledge in education governance, while the Recognition Award celebrates those whose peers recognize their exceptional dedication and contributions to the board’s work.
The Recognition Award specifically honors individual board members whose fellow board members wish to publicly acknowledge their contributions to effective governance and meaningful participation in board activities.
When a board member earns all four STAR awards within the requisite time period, they achieve the distinction of Master Board Member—the highest level of recognition OSBA bestows upon individual board members, and Olander is well on her way, looking forward to recognition for full completion in the upcoming year.
Olander is currently serving her third term on the Rocky River Board of Education, having been re-elected in November 2023. Her current term extends through December 31, 2027, continuing a tenure marked by consistent engagement and thoughtful leadership.
Her path to the Board was built on years of active involvement in the Rocky River community and school district.
Olander has deep roots in Rocky River:
Olander and her husband, Bob, are the proud parents of two Rocky River City Schools graduates. Before joining the board, Olander served as a substitute teacher and participated in numerous district organizations, including the PTA, Boosters, Curriculum Advisory Committee, and the Rocky River Education Foundation.
This grassroots involvement provided her with comprehensive insight into the district’s operations and community needs before taking on the governance role.
Professionally, Olander brings valuable experience as a communications consultant, having spent most of her career with a global human resources consulting firm. This background has proven valuable in her board service.
Her academic credentials include a Bachelor of Arts in English from Wittenberg University and a Master of Science in Journalism from Northwestern University—a foundation that supports her effective communication and analytical approach to board governance.
Olander will be formally recognized for her achievements at the OSBA Northeast Region Fall Conference, where she will join fellow award recipients from across northeastern Ohio.
The ceremony provides an opportunity for the broader education community to celebrate board members who exemplify excellence in school governance.
This recognition reflects not only Olander’s individual commitment, but also the collaborative environment of the Rocky River Board of Education, where members continue to support each other’s professional development, and recognize the outstanding contributions of an individual Board member, to their shared mission.
Some, yet not all activities to be accomplished by the Board member, according to the Ohio School Board Association’s website, in order to earn recognition are as follows:
- Board members create and maintain a formalized orientation process for new board members
- Board members create and/or participate in an annual board self-assessment
- Board members create and/or participate in an active strategic plan
- Board members create and/or maintain a board handbook
- Board members are involved in reviewing and/or updating the district’s policy manual
- Board members attend an OSBA regional spring and/or fall conference
- Board members attend an OSBA-, district-, community- or social services-sponsored event focused on eliminating barriers to student success
As Rocky River continues to navigate the evolving landscape of public education, having board members like Olander—who combine deep community knowledge with ongoing professional development—provides valuable stability and expertise for district governance.
Olander’s recognition by OSBA serves as validation of both her individual dedication and the Rocky River City Schools commitment to excellence in educational leadership.
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