For Your Information
Vol. 20, No. 12
May 23, 2008
Click here for past issues of the For Your Information newsletter.
STATE SUPERINTENDENT SAYS LACK OF EDUCATION BUDGET IS A TRAGEDY
State Superintendent of Education Dr. Joe Morton hoped to summarize the 2009 education budget with the state Board of Education at Thursday’s K-12 work session.
Instead, he said he had “nothing to report,” though he did explain how ending the regular legislative session without an approved budget for education is a tragedy.
Under state education law, he explained, non-tenured teachers not released by the last day of school for students would have an implied contract for the next school year. Without a budget, local boards don’t know if they could afford to pay those teachers. The cautious course of action is issuing pink slips, many of those to nontenured teachers.
It’s unclear what state revenue figures expected at the end of this month will show, but Morton said the state has watched revenues flatten, dip, bump up and still end short of earlier predictions. Those predictions were used to craft the current budget, which fell short.
“School systems are faced with this dilemma: ‘What do I do about making an implied contract to people when I don’t know if I’m going to have enough money to pay them? If I don’t have enough of a reserve, I could end up with a deficit,’” Morton said. “So, many systems have released teachers and will … release teachers and other employees.”
Morton said an equally troubling fallout is the expected loss of good teachers to other states that have approved budgets in place.
“Now is the time to hire people, and we’re not the only ones in the market to hire people. So, many of our top, talented, first-year teachers won’t work in Alabama. I predict they’ll work in another state. That’s the tragedy of this,” he said.
Until a special session is called and the education budget is approved, Morton said, the local level budgeting process is at a standstill. In addition, he said the long road to getting the former version of the education budget through the legislative process must be traveled again during the special session.
When the board meets in June, it is expected to announce proposed changes to certain special education rules and its plan to adopt changes to its new teacher certification rules.
The special education proposal includes: evaluation timeline changes to be consistent with federal regulations; addition of vision/hearing screening as an evaluation requirement for those with traumatic brain injury; deletion of impartial due process hearing procedures for gifted students; and several clarifications.
The proposed technical changes to new teacher certification rules are meant to make that chapter of the administrative code clearer, more user friendly and to clarify requirements of the Alabama Prospective Teacher Testing Program.
The board also heard a technology update and discussion of the state’s 21st century objectives for school library and media programs.
STILL TIME TO REGISTER FOR AASB’S WORKSHOPS SET FOR JUNE 4 & 5
AASB is hosting a workshop on “Progressive Discipline: Disciplining and Dismissing Employees in Today’s Legal Climate” from 9:30 a.m. until noon in Montgomery at the RSA Plaza on June 4 and again on June 5 at Spain Park High School in Hoover.
At both events, veteran school board attorney R. Kent Henslee will explain how progressive discipline can be used to give employees an opportunity to change unacceptable behavior and strengthen the board’s legal position should dismissal become necessary. You will learn what arbiters expect to see in an employee’s personnel record in order to uphold termination, how to make a termination case stick and how the case will be analyzed.
Attendees may stay for a 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. review of the AASB Policy Reference Guide — a resource for policy development that includes policy samples, Alabama laws, attorney general’s opinions and other guidance materials on CD. Call AASB at 800/562-0601 for additional details and registration information.
SUMMER CONFERENCE REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
Register online now for the Alabama Association of School Boards and Alabama Council of School Board Attorneys Summer Conference July 27-30 at the Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach. You should also expect a registration brochure in the mail soon.
We’ll “Surf the Wave of Success” we’ve enjoyed in K-12 public schools and continue the effort to improve student success for every child. Riding the waves of changing demands in public education is no easy task. But, that’s the charge of school governance teams. Our speakers will help you along that journey.
Are you interested in leading change that results in student and school achievement? With more than 30 years in leading organizations through change, Bud Taylor will teach you how change can happen through the practical application of proven principles based on John Kotter’s book Our Iceberg is Melting.
LuAnn Bird, a former school board president and AASB’s new board development director, will discuss the school board’s role in creating success for all students. Also, hear discussion about public education as Alabama’s wave of the future from Roy Hudson, 2008-09 Alabama Teacher of the Year; Dr. Tommy Bice, state deputy superintendent of education-instructional services; and Craig Pouncey, state assistant superintendent of education-finance.
There are a limited number of rooms available at regular prices at the host hotel (800/634-8001) in Orange Beach near the Alabama Point Bridge. Discounted rooms have sold out, but overflow reservations can be made at area condominiums (800/634-8001) and the Island House Hotel (800/264-2642).
For details, visit “conference information” at www.AlabamaSchoolBoards.org.
T-SHIRTS FOR SALE
AASB still has a few “No Spouse Left Behind” T-shirts left in its inventory. Get yours now by contacting AASB. The shirts will sell for $7 each.
NSBA CALLS FOR STUDENT PERFORMING GROUPS FOR 2009 CONFERENCE
Only a handful of high school musical groups of 30 members or less are invited to perform at the National School Boards Association conference.
To compete for the coveted spots, a group must represent a public school or group of public schools and have school board approval. Audition videos and applications are due Aug. 31, 2008, to be considered for the April 4-7, 2009, conference in San Diego. Send materials to: Alyssa Martin, 185 Prince George Street, #1, Annapolis, MD 21401.
In addition, NSBA is calling for proposals for 75-minute breakout sessions that focus on topics of critical interest to school board members. The deadline is June 6, 2008. Visit www.nsba.org for details.
MAGNA NOMINATIONS DUE OCT. 15
Now through Oct. 15, nominations are being accepted for the Magna Awards 2009, a program the American School Board Journal initiated in 1995 to recognize school boards willing to take bold innovative steps to improve educational programs. A $3,500 cash prize will be awarded to three grand prize winners. Visit www.asbj.com or call 703/838-6739 for details.
SUBMIT PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS FOR DELEGATE ASSEMBLY AUG. 15
School board members who wish to propose a resolution for consideration by AASB's Delegate Assembly in December should submit their proposals in writing by Friday, Aug. 15. Send submissions to AASB at 334/270-0000, fax; P.O. Drawer 230488, Montgomery, AL 36123-0488; or e-mail showell@alabamaschoolboards.org. Resolutions approved by the Delegate Assembly at AASB's annual convention set the association's goals and positions on major education issues.
ARE YOU UP TO DATE?
Make sure you don’t miss a thing by keeping AASB updated on how to reach you. If you have moved, changed your phone number, or changed or added an e-mail address, call 800/562-0601 or send e-mail and tell us how to find you. It just takes a minute, but it will help us ensure you stay current on education issues.
— Denise L. Berkhalter
publicrelations@alabamaschoolboards.org |
