Outgoing Wake County Board of Education member Patti Head has received a National PTA Life Achievement Award for her service to children and youth. The award was presented to Head by members of the District 7 School Board Advisory Council on Monday.

"Your commitment to passionately advocating for the education and well-being of children deserves acknowledgment," wrote PTA National President Charles Saylors. "I am pleased to present you with a National PTA Life Achievement Award for your great efforts to improve the lives of America's youth. This is the highest recognition bestowed by PTA, and is given only to those who have demonstrated exemplary service in support of children."

Head will retire Dec. 1 after serving eight years on the Board, two of them as chair. During her tenure as chair, Head led the Board successfully through a $1 billion bond issue, hired a new superintendent, and transferred 10,000 students in one year due to dramatic growth and unprecedented new school construction.

Prior to serving on the school board, Head was active in the PTSA at Broughton High School. Her volunteer efforts included serving as BHS PTSA President, Founder of BHS Class Parent Partners, BHS Choral Music Booster Board, BHS Guidance Support Committee, Chair BHS Advisory Committee.