For Your Information
Vol. 21, No. 6
March 27, 2009
Click here for past issues of the For Your Information newsletter.
Morton: Governor will Direct
Recovery Act Money to Saving Jobs
Maybe the best possible headline at this point for the exact impact of federal recovery funding on the state’s beleaguered education budget is “Who Knows?”
State Superintendent of Education Dr. Joe Morton explained at Thursday’s state Board of Education work session for K-12 that the reality of what amounts to a 9 percent across-the-board education budget cut and the looming $500 million education budget shortfall for 2010 won’t just go away entirely.
The governor is able to distribute $729 million in state fiscal stabilization funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Gov. Bob Riley pledges to use every dollar of K-12’s share to help save 3,790 jobs on the chopping block, Morton said, adding that retirements and attrition will also help.
There will be a healthy boon over two years to Individuals with Disabilities Education Act funding — nearly $182 million for Part B funding and about $6 million to serve preschool children with disabilities. Uses and rules for that funding are clear for IDEA and Title I recovery money. For Title I over the next couple years, there will be $163 million for Title I Part A; $1.7 million for Part D, Subpart 2; $1 million to help serve homeless children under McKinney Vento and nearly $46 million for school improvement 1003(g). More clarity about the rules regarding $10.4 million in federal recovery funds for technology will come this fall.
That’s the good news.
Morton said the details are still being worked out, including a “glitch” that he mentioned without further detail to the state board Thursday. There will still have to be education line item cuts, he said. But, exactly how much will be lost when the dust settles was still unclear.
Also on Thursday, the board had a spirited debate about board Vice President Randy McKinney’s suggestion that boards of education post all checks online to publicly note what dollars come in and out of a school system. He said it was a matter of accountability and transparency. Member Ella Bell asked what purpose simply posting checks would have and suggested such information does little if there is no clear correlation made between checks and impropriety. The issues of logistics, legality and feasibility were raised. Morton asked for more time to consider those issues.
McKinney also wanted to ensure the teacher evaluation revisions on the work session agenda appropriately addressed the issue of underperforming teachers.
Deputy state Superintendent Dr. Tommy Bice, who pitched a revised teacher evaluation process to the board Thursday, said mechanisms are in place to alert systems of teachers who, despite intervention, aren’t up to the task.
Ask critics, and they’ll likely say the state’s current educator evaluation tool — the Alabama Professional Education Personnel Evaluation or PEPE — requires an inordinate amount of time.
Bice described the proposed EDUCATEAlabama evaluation program as more user-friendly and suggested it retains assessment quality while eliminating the time burdens of interviews and scripting.
The new formative evaluation system is designed to provide data about a teacher’s current performance as measured against Alabama Quality Teaching Standards used to set goals for professional growth. Therefore, school systems would have to adjust the evaluation process to make summative decisions such as compensation, re-employment and promotion. Systems would be able to seek advisement from the state Department of Education on how to make those modifications.
In addition, rather than numerical scores, teachers would be evaluated and rated as emerging, applying (satisfactory performance), integrating and innovating.
Earlier this year, the board heard Dr. Mabrey Whetstone propose changes to special education rules under the Alabama Administrative Code to comply with federal regulations that became effective in December 2008. He reiterated the need to do so Thursday.
Morton ended the work session with a quote from “The Everyone Graduates Center” 2009 Report. He said the report found that “18 states posted gains in their graduation rates between 2002 and 2006, and in 12 states, which can serve as models for the nation, the gains were substantial.” Alabama ranked sixth among those 12 states due to its significant increase in graduates and decline in high schools that had been called “dropout factories.”
Ex-officio President Gov. Bob Riley was absent along with members Betty Peters and David Byers. The board’s next work session for K-12 will be April 23.
When the state board meets for its regular K-12 meeting April 9 in Montgomery, it is expected to vote on a resolution noting that it has received committee recommendations for updating the state Mathematics Course of Study. Final approval of that course of study could occur on May 14.
GOT PERSONNEL ISSUES? SIGN UP FOR
APRIL 14 EMPLOYMENT LAW TRAINING
These days, quality instruction for $40 is certainly a bargain. So, don’t miss your opportunity to pick up the phone and hear education law experts Elizabeth Brannen Carter and Jayne Harrell Williams review Alabama's tenure and fair dismissal, contract principal and other critical employment laws. As a bonus, log on to your computer and view their handouts, so you can follow along! Go online at www.AlabamaSchoolBoards.org to view the Personnel Law Teleconference/Webinar flier or to register. The review will begin at 10 a.m. and end at noon. Group rates are available. For details, contact Mandy at 800/562-0601.
CALLING ALL NEW BOARD MEMBERS
School board members and education leaders who have been on the job for two years or less — and veterans in need of a refresher — are urged to take advantage of AASB’s leadership orientation July 25-26. The Leadership I course precedes AASB’s Summer Conference and will provide a wealth of information on the fundamentals of board basics. Topics will include the role of the board, school finance, personnel, law, ethics and other timely issues. Registration will open soon, but housing is available at the Perdido Hotel. Call 800/634-8001 and mention AASB.
BOOK HOUSING FOR JULY 26-28 CONFERENCE
Even in highly volatile economic times like these, boards have to keep the ultimate goal in mind: ensuring they govern in such a way that their students continue to achieve at high levels. School boards have to keep moving their school systems ahead, while shielding students as much as possible from the economic downturn. Learn how to do just that at AASB’s July 26-28 Academy Conference, “Navigating Rough Waters, Guided by Student Success.” This conference comes in the middle of summer vacations, so you'll want to beat the housing rush and make your reservations early.
If you’re an education law buff or a member of the Alabama Council of School Board Attorneys, don’t miss ACSBA’s annual conference, July 26-27. And, board presidents will gather for a roundtable discussion on July 27. All events will be at the Perdido Hotel (800/634-8001, mention AASB). For conference details, contact Debora at 800/562-0601.
ETHICS FORMS DUE APRIL 30
It’s time for school board members and superintendents to file annual financial disclosure forms with the state Ethics Commission. Statement of Economic Interests forms for 2008 must be filed by April 30 except for candidates who must file simultaneously with their qualifying forms as required by Section 36-25-15, Code of Alabama 1975. Submit your form. Failure to file carries a fine of up to $1,000, and intentional failure to file is a Class A misdemeanor.
REGISTER FOR SOUTHERN REGION EVENT
The Arkansas School Boards Association is hosting the 2009 NSBA Southern Region Conference July 8-10 at the Peabody Hotel and Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock, Ark. Keynote speakers include: Wes Moore, Walter C. Coleman III, and Arkansas Senate Education Committee member Joyce Elliott. Visit www.arsba.org for conference registration information and refer questions about the conference to ASBA by calling 501/372-1415.
WINNER ANNOUNCED
Congratulations to Phyllis Wyne of the Birmingham Board of Education, who recently attended AASB’s Spring Academy Conference in March. She won free registration for an upcoming academy conference. Wyne was chosen at random from those who completed and returned AASB evaluation forms at the March event.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Ready for a ray of sunshine to pierce through the economic cloud overhead? It won’t be long before you can gather with peers in your region for a pick-me-up of idea-sharing and networking.
AASB’s fall regional meetings are set for Sept. 14-Oct. 5 and are worth one hour of credit in the School Board Member Academy.
The dates are set for: Sept. 14, District 2; Sept. 15, District 1; Sept. 17, District 5; Sept. 21, District 8; Sept. 22, District 9; Sept. 24, District 7; Sept. 29, District 6; Oct. 1, District 4; and Oct. 5, District 3.
Mark your calendar for these other upcoming AASB Academy events:
- Fall Academy Core Conference (6 hours), Oct. 25-26, 2009, in Montgomery
- AASB Leadership II Orientation Course for New Board Members (6 hours), Dec. 3, 2009, Birmingham
- AASB Annual Convention (8 hours), Dec. 3-5, 2009, Birmingham
Though every attempt will be made to follow this schedule, some dates are subject to change.
SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATION MEMBERS
ASKED TO PARTICIPATE IN UNLV SURVEY
Counselor educators and faculty members in the College of Education at the University of Nevada Las Vegas are studying the impact of racism on school personnel, students and the larger community. Take the survey online and contact Dr. Jesse A. Brinson at 702/895-1390 with questions.
— Denise L. Berkhalter
publicrelations@alabamaschoolboards.org
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