March 13-14, 2009 at The Wynfrey Hotel

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If this tumultuous marketplace and budget cutbacks have taught us anything, it’s that school systems need visionary leadership to ensure students are more prepared than ever for highly competitive careers and college.

Are you ready to learn how your board can use policy and planning to give graduates a leg up?  Register now for the March 13-14 Spring Conference, an AASB School Board Member Academy core leadership course.

Discover how policy and planning can be Springboards to Student Success and hear knowledgeable speakers address the fundamentals of board policy, strategic planning, board liability and immunity, policy versus procedure and more!

Attend and learn:

■ The school board's role as a policymaker
■ How policymaking affects/impacts legal liabilities
■ The school board's role in strategic planning and goal setting
■ How to avoid micromanaging by knowing the difference between policy and procedures

Spring into Action
The conference kicks off with a facilitated discussion that involves students and highlights the school board’s role in helping today’s students succeed in tomorrow’s highly technological, globally competitive world. At the center of what boards do are the students, so enjoy this opportunity to listen as our “customers” describe what schools can do to better meet their changing educational needs. Susie Oleseen, Director of Educational Improvement, at the Iowa Association of School Boards will present 21st Century Goal Setting along with 21st Century Learning: Student Perspectives.

Spring Break
Plow into a series of breakout sessions – each presented twice – meant to help set your board’s directional compass.

Policymaking that Prepares Graduates for Tomorrow takes a close look at recent changes impacting how graduates are defined and counted in Alabama. Learn from local boards how the state’s First Choice initiative is meant to increase the number of students who successfully complete high school and the nation’s new graduation rate formula are impacting their policies and procedures.

Strategic Planning – What’s a School Board Member to Do? goes beyond the basics to how forecasting and goal setting can work together to define your school system’s future. It’s been said time and again – a failure to plan is a plan to fail. And, shortsighted goals are indeed a prescription for disaster. Jodi Newton, Assistant Professor of College Education and Professional Studies with Samford University presents strategic planning and goal setting that take into account your board’s vision and mission.

Polish up your Policy Manual will be presented by Bishop, Colvin, Johnson & Kent LLC.  Effective governance occurs as a result of effective policymaking.  Learn practical tips for updating your policy manual in order to translate the board’s philosophical principles into sound decision-making. 

Spring Free
Rigid policies that aren’t strategic and well-written can lock boards up in a legal mess. Want to know how to free your board from legally fragile policies? Attend Policies That Keep You Out of Trouble presented by veteran school board attorney Mark Boardman. Get the information you need to help your board avoid unnecessary litigation and headaches.
           
Spring Cleaning
Boards who want to lead and not experience the pitfalls of micromanaging should take advantage of a little Spring Cleaning: Know the Difference Between Policy and Procedure (So You Won’t Micromanage). Nick Caruso, the longtime Senior Staff Associate for Field Service at the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education, defines policy and procedure and explains the board’s role and the administrative role when it comes to both.

And don't miss our early bird workshop:

Career Technical Education: Spring into 21st Century Careers

Friday, March 14, 2009 • 1:00 p.m. to 3 p.m.

In days past, it was described as “shop” and “vocational technology.” My how things change! Career technical education, now occupation-specific training in schools, is taking on a modern, high-tech, high-skill look.

When students leave high school and enter the workplace, their opportunities for success increase dramatically if they have completed a program of study leading to an Alabama High School Diploma with either an Advanced Career and Technical Education endorsement or a Career and Technical Education endorsement. 

Sherry A. Key, the state Department of Education’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) Director, presents an informative early bird workshop on the CTE Alabama Success Initiative.  Attendees will understand the role of career and technical education in articulation, dual enrollment and the Early College Enrollment Program.  In a globally competitive market, we must work together to ensure that all students stay in school and graduate with the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in college and in the workforce. 

Schedule

Early registration closed. Please register on-site for Policy & Planning: Springboard to Student Success and for the Early Bird Workshop.

Academy Credit
School board members will earn six hours credit and satisfy the core Academy requirement on policy and planning needed to reach Level IV.  Superintendents may earn credit that can be applied to certificate renewal. 

Hotel Information

The Wynfrey Hotel is located at 1000 Riverchase Galleria in Birmingham, AL 35244. AASB has secured a special flat room rate of $121 per night (plus tax) for up to two people per standard room and $151 for concierge level rooms. Children under 16 stay free when occupying a room with an adult.

Housing reservations should be made before 5 p.m. on February 27 and be guaranteed with one night’s deposit or a credit card number. AASB’s room block will be released after that time. However, the hotel may sell out before that date. If all the rooms blocked for the conference are reserved before then, the hotel may charge a higher rate. If you are quoted a higher rate before February 27, contact AASB to verify that the room block is sold out.

To make reservations, call the hotel at 800/996-3739 or 205/987-1600.  Be sure to mention that you are with AASB and are attending the March conference. 

Now you can register online at The Wynfrey!

Cancellation Clause: Individuals will be responsible for paying for guaranteed rooms canceled within 48 hours of the intended date of arrival.

Check-in begins at 3:00 p.m. and check-out is noon.

NOTE: You must register both with AASB and The Wynfrey Hotel.