For Your Information
Vol. 21, No. 1
January 9, 2009
Click here for past issues of the For Your Information newsletter.
State Board Member/AASB Liaison Sandra Ray Attends Last Meeting
Funding for expenses associated with state textbook and courses of study committees could become casualties of education budget reductions, warned state Superintendent of Education Dr. Joe Morton on Thursday.
Cuts could go as deep as state funding for teaching positions.
Shortly after the first K-12 meeting of the year, Morton was encircled by media when he said he expects school to start this fall with fewer teachers due to proration and the state’s waning economy.
“I don’t have a number. We'll see where we are about April or May,” he said. “The difference may be filled through attrition and retirements. I just don’t know because we don’t have a budget number yet, so we don’t know how many teachers we can fund from state funds.”
Morton said the state is watching state tax revenue and the new presidential administration closely for any signs of hope. President-elect Barack Obama’s economic stimulus package may include money for school upgrades. Further dips in tax revenue used to fund education could possibly lead to deeper education budget cuts, though Morton said he believes Gov. Bob Riley’s call for 12.5 percent proration “is going to be pretty close.”
By using half of the $437 million Rainy Day Fund, proration is really 9 percent. Before the current fiscal year ends, the state will borrow the remainder of the fund to reduce proration’s impact to 5.5 percent – if additional cuts aren't needed.
When the legislative session starts Feb. 3, Morton told reporters it’s likely to feel like a funeral.
“I've talked to legislators, and I've talked to the administration. Nobody looks forward to this session,” he said. “There are going to be some really gut-wrenching decisions made.”
One of those tough decisions is whether to cut programs that have led to student progress. At Thursday’s meeting, Deputy State Superintendent Dr. Tommy Bice presented an overview of state programs that help produce graduates skilled in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Among those is the state’s Advanced Placement (AP) Initiative. Bice reported a 24.3 percent increase in the number of AP exam-takers. In addition, the number of minorities scoring 3-5 on AP exams increased, and there was a 7.8 percent increase in the number of students overall who scored in the 3-5 range. AP exams are scored on a 5-point scale. Scores of 3-5 mean a student is qualified to receive college credit or advanced placement.
“That’s what just tears you apart,” Morton said. “Here we are demonstrating that our students are just as capable and can score just as high and take just as many AP courses as anybody. Yet, we’re talking about that they may be on the chopping block. These are courses that many students never had the chance to take, and we are now going to make it available to all students. Yet, in the same breath, we’re saying we'll be cutting funding.”
Bice also reported to the state board the creation of a pilot pre-kindergarten Alabama Math Science and Technology Initiative in 50 schools across the state.
The initiative is a collaborative effort of the Alabama Office of School Readiness, which oversees state-funded pre-K efforts, along with the McWane Science Center and Carolina Biological Supply Co. Included are math and science kits, stipends for teachers attending summer training institutes and training assistance.
In other business the state board not only gave its nod to January as School Board Member Recognition Month (download the promotional kit), it bid a fond farewell to longtime board member Sandra Ray.
Ray, a Tuscaloosa resident, has represented state board District 7 for 14 years. She'll be replaced by Gary Warren of Haleyville, who takes over at the Jan. 22 work session. Warren was present in the audience at Thursday’s meeting. Fellow board members wished Ray well, including Ella Bell of District 5.
“I have enjoyed serving with her. When I look at board members who have been exceedingly helpful in making me a better board member, Sandra, I really think of you,” Bell said.
Ray also served as the Alabama Association of School Boards’ liaison to the state board. Board Vice President Randy McKinney said the state board plans to name a new AASB liaison at its February meeting. The board also plans to appoint the Social Studies Course of Study Committee at that meeting.
The board’s Jan. 22 work session will include discussion of recommendations made by the Health Education and Physical Education State Courses of Study Committee.
LEGAL ASSISTANCE FUND SUBMITS 'FRIEND OF THE COURT' BRIEF IN BOONE CASE
At the request of the Birmingham Board of Education, the Legal Assistance Fund Board of Trustees agreed to join the Francine Boone et al. v. Birmingham Board of Education case by issuing a amicus curiae (“friend of the court”) brief. At issue is whether a tenured teacher is due notice of cancellation of a coaching/supplemental contract by the end of the school year under the tenure law. The case is pending in the Supreme Court.
Because legal challenges are costly – not only to the school board involved in a certain case but potentially to other boards facing similar issues – AASB’s Legal Assistance Fund supports school boards’ common interests by assisting members who are involved in cases of statewide significance. Typically, the LAF enters such cases by filing “friend of the court” briefs or providing legal research. Governed by a board of trustees, the LAF seeks to influence the outcome of court challenges, but under no circumstances will it bear the full cost of a case.
STILL TIME TO REGISTER FOR
WINTER DISTRICT MEETINGS
Have you ever wondered what financial information is truly critical to your most vital board decisions? Join us at the Jan. 12-Feb. 9 AASB Winter District Meetings for Making Cents: What You REALLY Need to Know about School Finance. There is still time to register and to learn strategies crucial to effective board governance. Attend and leave with a better understanding of how to survive economic downturns.
The training will be presented by AASB Chief Operations Officer Ken Roberts. AASB Fall District Meetings begin with a 6 p.m. social time, followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. and a 45-minute presentation. The exception is the 5:30 p.m. (CDT) start time in Districts 4 and 5. Reservations are required, and penalty-free cancellations must be made two days prior to the event. The only cost is your meal. School board members earn one credit hour in AASB’s School Board Member Academy for attending. Make reservations or call 800/562-0601 for details.
OPPOSE MANDATORY SCHOOL START DATE,
PASS RESOLUTION IN JANUARY
Business and tourism advocates have been busy trying to secure more votes to enact their statewide school start bill. Lawmakers will consider the issue once again. Even if your school board had already passed a resolution opposing school start dates, the 2009 legislative battle will need timely, renewed efforts to make local boards’ position crystal clear. Please plan to approve a school board resolution during your January meeting. Each member of the Legislature should receive a copy before the session begins Feb. 3.
HONOR YOUR SCHOOL BOARD THIS MONTH,
RECOGNITION MATERIALS ONLINE
In preparation for Alabama’s annual observance of School Board Member Recognition Month in January, AASB has posted promotional kits for superintendents, school principals, chambers of commerce and other education supporters to use. This is the first time the materials have been posted online rather than mailed. Downloadable and customizable templates for certificates are also available for your presentation at January board meetings. If you have any questions, please call Donna Norris at 800/562-0601.
GUIDANCE FOR THE CLASS PLACEMENT
OF MULTIPLE BIRTH SIBLINGS
Whether or not to place twins or multiple birth siblings in the same or separate classrooms is a decision parents and educators struggle with each school year. The decision is made with the students’ best interest kept in mind. Representatives from the state Department of Education, the Alabama Association of School Boards, the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools and the School Superintendents of Alabama met with Rep. Greg Wren in November to discuss alternatives to state legislation to address the issue.
A survey of school superintendents showed that no school board in Alabama has a policy of automatically separating or placing twins or multiples together or apart and that the decision is made at the school level. The literature shows that in January 2004, the National Association of Elementary School Principals reported that the National Association of School Psychologists found that research was ambivalent as to whether twins should be separated or not. It urged that schools maintain a flexible perspective and consult with parents to determine what is in the best interest of the children. Additional research supports a flexible policy with parental input.
Through a collaborative effort of the groups involved, guidance on this issue has been sent to all principals and superintendents. By focusing on a joint effort and disseminating the information statewide, state legislation that addresses decisions made in each local school should not be necessary (read the full guide).
— Denise L. Berkhalter
publicrelations@alabamaschoolboards.org
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