Scott Benjamin honored as TN School Board Member of the Year

Long before Scott Benjamin ever chaired a school board meeting, he learned what a school community felt like from the front office of the Alcorn County School District in Mississippi, where his mom was the longtime financial secretary to the superintendent.
 
He saw, and probably heard, it all.
The late afternoons.
The hours-long board meetings.
The conversations with parents and students.
And the pride she carried for the schools she served and the people in them.
 
Most kids grow up knowing their school through classrooms, teachers and playgrounds. Benjamin grew up seeing the heartbeat behind the scenes. It wasn’t just public education to him. It was the way his mom took care of her school community through her own role. So when Benjamin “found his way into public education,” the truth is he was raised in it. He followed the same path his mom walked every day, just in his own way…as a dad, a neighbor and as the board member who now leads Arlington Community Schools as chairman.
 
This story feels especially fitting this week, because Benjamin was honored as the Tennessee School Board Member of the Year by the Tennessee Schools Board Association, an award he surely never imagined as a kid waiting in that front office. Also known as the C. Hal Henard Distinguished Service Award, it’s the top individual honor TSBA gives.  It’s also his second year being named to the All-Tennessee School Board, a rare distinction only a handful of leaders ever receive.
 
And true to who he is, Benjamin would be the first to say this award is as much about the students, families and staff of Arlington as it is about him. His connection to the district runs deep. All six of his children graduated from ACS, and his spouse, Carol, is a teacher at Arlington Elementary, so he approaches every decision with those lived perspectives. Since joining the ACS Board of Education in 2017, including four consecutive terms as chairman, he has consistently centered his work on creating the best possible experiences and outcomes for Arlington students. 

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Under his leadership, student recognition at board meetings has become a monthly tradition. Today, student groups, clubs and teams regularly take center stage during board business, ensuring their achievements become part of the district’s public record. He also implemented new participation expectations for board members, encouraging them to show up regularly for students and staff, from visiting classrooms, games and performances to even narrating district highlight videos that amplify student success and opportunities across the district. 

“During my first year and a half as superintendent, Mr. Benjamin has been a consistent and steady presence for our district,” said Superintendent Dr. Allison Clark. “He asks thoughtful questions, offers input when it’s needed and never loses sight of what’s best for students and staff. Whether he’s showing up in person or advocating on our behalf at the state level, he’s always there for our school community, and I have no doubt it’s why he was selected for this incredible TSBA honor.”

Benjamin’s service extends far beyond Arlington, too. He's in his second year as TSBA’s Delta District Director, representing West Tennessee school boards and working alongside leaders statewide to strengthen governance and elevate the needs of public schools. As a Level IV boardsmanship member, he also supports school boards across the state as they pursue the TSBA Board of Distinction recognition, another way he brings Arlington’s values into statewide conversations. 
 
He’s also backed Superintendent Clark and district leaders in securing meaningful community partnerships, including supporting the district’s collaboration with IKEA that provides Arlington High students with hands-on, real-world learning experiences. As a local business owner and pastor, he continues connecting ACS with other community leaders to help create opportunities for students who are dreaming big. 
 
And maybe that’s what makes this recognition so fitting. Benjamin didn’t set out to win awards or make a name for himself across Tennessee. He set out to serve…the same way his mom did all those years ago. She showed him what it looks like when a school employee becomes part of the fabric of a community. Whether he’s encouraging students, supporting teachers or representing ACS across the state, he carries the same warmth and purpose he grew up watching.
 
The story has come full circle, a son of public education now shaping it for the next generation.