Vol. 23, No. 16     
October 14, 2011

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State Board Delays Math Textbook Committee Report
Until Nov. 10 Meeting

The state Board of Education announced Thursday its intent to amend rules for apportionment of funds. Prompted by successive years of budget cuts, the Legislature took action during the session to provide increased local budget flexibility. The four rule changes from the enacted budget/law include: 

• Divisor adjustments;
• Distribution of the $134/unit student materials and supplies, an item that had zero appropriations for three prior years;
• Flexibility with Child Nutrition Program funds for systems with balances over two months’ operating reserve; and
• Full flexibility to redirect appropriations based on needs as identified by the local board (except fleet renewal funds). 

The board delayed receiving recommendations from the State Textbook Committee for the Adoption of Textbooks for Mathematics until its Nov. 10 meeting. Ex-officio state board President Gov. Robert Bentley requested the delay. He was unable to attend Thursday’s meeting. 

The state board also approved a resolution commending the U.S. Space and Rocket Center and commemorating the 100 Years of Von Braun:  His American Journey exhibit. Board members viewed a presentation highlighting the quality programs offered to students and teachers by the U.S. Space and Rocket Center. An internationally acclaimed program, the center urged greater participation in its camps and programs by Alabama students and teachers alike, particularly from underserved Alabama areas and the Black Belt. 

In other business, the board:

• Approved a resolution proclaiming October as Statewide Parent Visitation Month in Alabama;
• Approved a resolution proclaiming Oct. 24-28 as “Red Ribbon Week” in Alabama Public Schools; and
• Approved a resolution endorsing Alabama School Bus Safety Week, Oct. 17-21.

The next state board work session for K-12 is Oct. 27.

AASB 2011 CONVENTION REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

Don’t delay! Housing goes fast for AASB’s Annual Convention at The Wynfrey Hotel in Birmingham, and early registration saves you time and money. The association’s 2011 business meeting is your chance to voice opinions, make suggestions and vote your convictions. AASB is your association and needs your feedback in order to provide the best possible services and training to you. The 6 p.m. Delegate Assembly on Dec. 8 follows a 5:30 p.m. orientation for new delegates. Freshman board members – and veteran board members who are interested – should also register for the Effective Boards and Relationships Orientation course that focuses on how board members relate to one another, the board attorney and others. That course begins at 8:30 a.m. on Dec. 8.

Register today at www.AlabamaSchoolBoards.org to discover the information-packed program that inspired this year’s theme, Think Big, Dream Bigger! You will earn 8 School Board Member Academy hours for the Dec. 8-10 convention. Get a preview of legislative and policy issues just over the horizon and choose from 16 clinic sessions built around board leadership, student achievement, technology, legal topics and hot topics. Hear Rory Vaden explain why Leaders Take the Stairs and fellow keynote speaker Michael Thurmond rally behind the Need for a Strong System of Public Education. Best of all, you will meet and network with school board members from around the state. The remaining discount housing at The Wynfrey can be booked by calling 800/996-3739 or visiting www.wynfrey.com. AASB group code 1B3457 expires Nov. 23.

EDUCATION TRUST FUND UPDATE

Receipts to the Education Trust Fund for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30 reflected an increase of 2.3 percent over the previous fiscal year. The ETF would need to experience a larger increase in receipts during the 2012 fiscal year to avoid proration of the fund. The $5.59 billion 2012 budget contains specific revenue-generating measures totaling $88 million, collection of which remains uncertain. Also, total appropriations in the current budget represent an increase of 5.3 percent from receipts during the 2011 fiscal year, a growth rate that will be difficult to reach in this sluggish economy. While it is too early to reliably quantify proration of the current year budget, 2 to 3 percent has been the amount discussed most often. Boards should be vigilant and prepared for proration of the ETF early in the fiscal year.

BOARDS IN AASB DISTRICTS 2, 4 AND 8 ASKED TO SUBMIT VOTES BY OCT. 31

All school boards in AASB Districts 2, 4 and 8 are asked to please postmark their official ballots for district director nominees by Oct. 31. School boards vote on a candidate during their October meeting and submit the official ballots to AASB Executive Director Sally Howell, Attn: Director Elections, P.O. Drawer 230488, Montgomery, AL 36123-0488. Candidates include:

• District 2 – Donald Nichols of Perry County and Mike Oakley of Bibb County
  
• Boards in District 2: Autauga, Bibb, Butler, Chilton, Choctaw, Dallas, Demopolis, Linden, Lowndes, Marengo, Perry, Selma and Wilcox.
• District 4 - Shirley Dawkins of Clay County, Gail Holley of Lanett and Charlotte Meadows of Montgomery County (current director who is eligible for re-election).
  
• Boards in District 4: Alexander City, Auburn, Bullock, Chambers, Clay, Coosa, Department of Youth Services, Elmore, Lanett, Lee, Macon, Montgomery, Opelika, Phenix City, Randolph, Roanoke, Russell, Tallapoosa and Tallassee.
• District 8 – Jim Fisher of Florence, Bruyne Rollins of Hartselle and Jimmy Dobbs of Morgan County.
  
  
• Boards in District 8: Athens, Colbert, Cullman County, Cullman City, Decatur, Florence, Franklin, Haleyville, Hartselle, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Morgan, Muscle Shoals, Russellville, Sheffield, Tuscumbia and Winston.

GET OUT THE GOOD NEWS WEBINAR NOV. 15

Are you ready to Get Out the Good News? School board members and school public relations professionals have been yearning to increase positive recognition for schools that are making great things happen in classrooms every day. Now is your chance to get tips from seasoned school public information professionals, Nancy Pierce and Marcie McNeal of the Mobile County school system. Tell your story using their tips for packaging and pitching your school system’s success stories. The cost is $40 per individual caller and $150 per group call. One code per registered group or registered individual. Board members earn 1.5 School Board Member Academy hours. The webinar will be Tuesday, Nov. 15, from 10:30 a.m. until noon, Central Time. Register or download the flier at www.AlabamaSchoolBoards.org.

CONGRATULATIONS TO SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR FINALISTS

The School Superintendents of Alabama have named the following superintendents as finalists for the 2012 Alabama Superintendent of the Year Award: Dr. Vic Adkison of Thomasville, Greg Faulkner of Autauga County, Dennis Coe of Henry County, Dr. Larry DiChiara of Phenix City, Dr. Phil Hammonds of Jefferson County, Matt Akin of Piedmont, Dr. Frank Costanzo of Tuscaloosa County, Dr. Jeff Wooten of Muscle Shoals and Dr. Ric Ayer of Albertville.

SELECT YOUR CONVENTION DELEGATES PRIOR TO NOV. 9

Decisions made at AASB’s annual business meeting, the Delegate Assembly, guide the association’s actions and legislative positions. AASB’s bylaws will be discussed at a 3:30 p.m. Bylaws Committee Hearing on Thursday, Dec. 8, and the Resolutions Committee will meet at 4 p.m. All delegates and alternates will then gather for a 6 p.m. Delegate Assembly, where they will represent their local school boards. Submit the names of your delegates and alternate delegates by Nov. 9.  For those who are new to the process, there will be a delegate orientation at 5:30 p.m. If your board did not receive its delegate/alternate delegate form, contact Donna Norris at 334/270-0000 or dnorris@AlabamaSchoolBoards.org.

— info@AlabamaSchoolBoards.org