WILMINGTON — The Southern Ohio Educational Service Center recently named Tom Barr, editor of the Wilmington News Journal, to the Ohio School Boards Association 2015 Media Honor Roll.

The Media Honor Roll recognizes media representatives statewide for fair and balanced reporting of news about public schools. Media representatives from more than 100 Ohio newspapers and radio and television stations were honored by their local school districts.

Criteria for selection by the local school districts include the media representative’s efforts to get to know the superintendent, board president, and district mission and goals; report school news in a fair, accurate and balanced manner; give a high profile to positive news about schools; visit the schools; and maintain a policy of “no surprises” by sharing information with school officials.

“I’m very grateful for the work the SOESC does in communications overall, and in providing stories and photos of the local school districts’ students and staff and the great things they’re doing,” Barr said.

OSBA sends personalized certificates to school boards to help them honor reporters, editors and news outlets. OSBA also recognizes the honorees in its Journal magazine and on its website.

“OSBA is pleased that so many school districts around the state participated in the 2015 Media Honor Roll program,” said OSBA Executive Director Richard Lewis. “OSBA joins those districts in congratulating the honorees and thanking them for fairly and accurately reporting on the successes of students, teachers and school boards, as well as conveying the many challenges they face.”

In its 60th year, OSBA leads the way to educational excellence by serving Ohio’s public school board members and the diverse districts they represent through superior service, unwavering advocacy and creative solutions.

The SOESC serves 12 school districts in a four-county area, including Wilmington, Clinton-Massie, Blanchester and East Clinton.

Information for this article was provided by Diana Miller, who coordinates communications for several area schools.