For Your Information
Vol. 20, No. 13
June 13, 2008
Click here for past issues of the For Your Information newsletter.
STATE BOARD CELEBRATES PASSAGE OF 2009 EDUCATION BUDGET
Shortly before Thursday’s K-12 meeting, the state Board of Education gathered with Gov. Bob Riley at a preschool in Prattville where he ceremoniously signed the $6.36 billion education budget for 2009. More than 68 percent of the education budget goes to K-12.
The budget also increased funding for the Alabama Reading Initiative, the Alabama Math, Science and Technology Initiative, distance learning and the Alabama Pre-K Initiative, which doubled in funding to $20 million for 2009.
The state board passed a resolution thanking the governor for calling the Legislature back to Montgomery for a special session to consider the budget.
"The Alabama Legislature acted swiftly and adopted an education and all necessary connected bills in five days," the resolution noted. "The adopted education budget minimized the necessary cuts to programs in K-12 education."
State Superintendent of Education Dr. Joe Morton also announced the retirement of state Department of Education Director Dr. Anita Buckley Commander effective July 1 after a 40-year career in education. The board unanimously accepted Morton’s recommendation to tap Cynthia Brown to serve as the new Director of Classroom Improvement.
The board announced plans to amend certain special education rules pertaining to gifted children, evaluations of children who may have disabilities and certain definitions and criteria. There is also a plan to amend rules regarding early college enrollment and teacher certification. Further discussion of those issues may take place at the board’s June 26 work session in Montgomery. The board’s next K-12 meeting will be July 8.
MEMBERSHIP SURVEY
OPEN THROUGH JUNE 30
AASB endeavors to improve the quality of your services and programs, but we need your help. A membership survey will be conducted through June 30. You will receive your copy by mail. Please take time to complete this 15-minute survey, so we can better understand your needs and concerns as members. All responses will be kept confidential and only aggregate results will be reported. Download the survey now, and as a token of our appreciation, you could win one of two free registrations good for either the 2008 AASB December Convention or the 2009 AASB March Conference.
STILL TIME TO REGISTER FOR AASB’S JULY 27-30 SUMMER CONFERENCE
Register 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. The theme is “Surf the Wave of Success.” Exciting speakers will help attendees navigate the waters of change that leads to high-level student 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, 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.
Add more fun to your learning at 3 p.m. Monday with a Sandcastle Building Competition that doubles as an exciting teambuilding exercise. On Tuesday, board presidents will gather for their very own “leading the leaders” session to create an agenda for change. Just look for the 1:30 p.m. session titled “Board Presidents Roundtable – Leadership for improved student achievement.” In addition, the Caucus of Black School Board Members will meet during the conference.
Registration brochures have been mailed and are available online. Register by July 18 at the low fee of $215 for AASB members. On-site registration is $235 for members and $430 for non-members. ACSBA registration for July 28-29 is $150 for members and $300 for non-members.
A limited number of rooms may be available at the host hotel (800/634-8001). Overflow housing options include area condominiums (800/634-8001) and the Island House Hotel (800/264-2642).
Click here for registration information.
FREE BIODIESEL WORKSHOPS
School boards are invited to free, two-hour workshops in June on how schools could use soy biodiesel to fuel school buses. The event organizers describe soy biodiesel as a cleaner, cost-effective alternative to traditional petroleum diesel that is also renewable since it is made from soybeans.
Workshop sponsors include the Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition, the Alabama Soybean Association and the United Soybean Board. Register online for the following:
▪ June 23, at Calhoun Community College
▪ June 24, 9– 11 a.m. at Hoover High School
▪ June 24, 2:30– 4:30 p.m. at the state Department of Education
▪ June 25, 9– 11 a.m. at Enterprise City Schools Service Center
▪ June 26, 9– 11 a.m. at Monroeville Water Tower Conference Center
2008 SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL
Wish more students in your system could safely bike or walk to school? Grants are available through the Alabama Department of Transportation. The federally funded 2008 Safe Routes to School grant application process is expected to open in August and run through Nov. 30. No matching funds are required.
The initiative is a joint endeavor of the state transportation, education and public health departments focusing on improving walking and bicycling routes to and from K-8 schools. Funding categories include speed and traffic control devices, flashers, sidewalks, bicycle paths/racks and crosswalks, as well as appropriate training and encouragement programs to support safe route efforts.
Download the application or contact Safe Routes Coordinator Bill Luckerson at 334/353-6446.
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 PERFORMANCE 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.
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 twright@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 |
