School Board member recognized for service
March 4, 2024
Since 1983, PSBA has been recognizing school board members who earn “honor roll” status upon completing eight years of service and then again at every four-year increment.
“School directors today have a more challenging job than ever before in our complex society,” PSBA’s Senior Director of Member Outreach Becky Dussinger stated. “As unpaid volunteers, they give generously of their time all year long to help guide the education of our children. The Honor Roll is the association’s way of thanking these dedicated leaders, who are committed to the success of our public schools and the students they serve.”
Lena Hanna, PSBA’s Western Pennsylvania member outreach manager, praised Mrs. Bolas and her years of dedicated service to students, the Upper St. Clair community, and public education.
“Mrs. Bolas has served on numerous committees and task forces for PSBA. Additionally, she has served as a PSBA president,” Mrs. Hanna said. “Mrs. Bolas’s commitment to the children of Pennsylvania is made clear through her long history of service to public education.”
Last fall, Mrs. Bolas was honored with the 2023 William Howard Day Award from the Pennsylvania Public Education Foundation. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to public education.
Mrs. Bolas was first elected to the Upper St. Clair School Board in 1985. She served four terms as president and five as vice president. In 2001, she was elected president of PSBA. She served as a National School Boards Association board member from 2001-2010 and was the national association’s president in 2008-2009.
A leader in public education at the local, state and national levels, Mrs. Bolas has been recognized for her service and advocacy. In 2022, she was honored with the Voice of Advocacy Award from the Western Pennsylvania Forum of School Superintendents. She is also a recipient of the Pennsylvania School Boards Association’s Chief Executive Officer’s Distinguished Service Pin, which recognizes its members, staff and education advocates for their extraordinary service and work on behalf of the association.
Mrs. Bolas holds a bachelor’s degree in education from the State University of New York. She and her husband, Jim, are the parents of two Upper St. Clair High School graduates.