The Dawson County School system is one of the 10 finalists for the inaugural Governance Team of the Year Award presented by the Georgia School Boards Association. The award was created in 2018 as a way to honor the top board of education and superintendent team that “best demonstrates its commitment to maximizing student achievement and enhancing trust and support for public education in their community” according to the GSBA website. The new award is different from the board recognition program that honors three levels of boards over the summer: Quality, Distinguished and Exemplary. Dawson County Schools has earned the honor of Exemplary Board since 2015.