State association honors Cummings with ‘All-State School Board Member Award’

MADISON – The Alabama Association of School Boards has named Travis Cummings with the prestigious honor, “All-State School Board Member Award.”

Currently, Cummings is serving as President of Madison Board of Education.

Founded in 1949, Alabama Association of School Boards strives to develop high-caliber school board leaders with quality training, advocacy and services. The nonprofit organization has headquarters in Montgomery. (Facebook/Alabama Association of School Boards) “The All-State School Board Member Award is the highest honor presented by the Alabama Association of School Boards or AASB,” Cummings said. “AASB recognizes up to five board members across the state who exhibit exemplary ‘boardsmanship’ and visionary leadership.”

Factors that AASB applies for the award include amount of AASB training that a person has completed, amount of advocacy a person has performed, time that a person has served, along with a nomination on which school board members vote, Cummings said.

“While I am deeply honored, I see this award as a reflection of the collective hard work of the entire Madison City Board of Education and our superintendent, Dr. Ed Nichols,” Cummings said. “It is humbling to be recognized by my peers and the AASB for advocacy efforts on behalf of Alabama’s public schools.”

“My primary motivation to serve the Madison City Schools system was being able to witness the high level of education that was provided for our son at Horizon Elementary School. (Rodney Richardson was Principal.),” Cummings said. “We witnessed firsthand the excellence of our school system and wanted to contribute to its continued success.”

“Our son started his journey at Horizon Elementary and graduated from Bob Jones High School. We have seen through his eyes exactly how a Madison City education can shape a young person’s future,” Travis Cummings said. He realized the importance of advocating for students, teachers and staff to confirm they continue as a foundation for the community.

As school board president, Cummings most enjoys “the opportunity to engage directly with the school community. Once you have a seat at the table, you can witness the passion and hard work done behind the scenes from ALL involved (including administrators, teachers, coaches and support staff) to ensure our students have the best opportunities possible.”

“I find great fulfillment in working alongside fellow board members to set policies that empower our students to succeed, as well as advocating with state and local leaders for our district’s needs,” Cummings said.

Cummings earned a master’s degree in urban and regional planning at Alabama A&M University. He works as Zoning Administration Coordinator for the City of Huntsville’s Planning Department.

He and his wife Dimika moved to Madison in 1998. Their son Cameron earned a bachelor’s degree in software engineering, concentration in cyber security, from Mississippi State University.

For more information, visit AlabamaSchoolBoards. org.