april 2011 slate
Post on 09-Mar-2016
219 Views
Preview:
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
Stop,Shift,&Share
P.4
Students Come First Increases Local Control P.8
vol.29 | no.2 | april.2011
THE ROLE OF THE BOARD CLERK / 26
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS / 24
SBOE SUPPORTS STUDENTS COME FIRST / 10
CYBERBULLYING / 11
ALSO:
A PUBLICATION OF THE IDAHO SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION
FROM THE DIRECTOR’S CHAIR
PRESIDENT
PRESIDENT-ELECT
VICE PRESIDENT
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Dallas Clinger, American Falls Jt. School District
Vacant
Anne Ritter, Meridian Jt. School District
Wayne Freedman, Council School District
EXECUTIVE BOARD OFFICERS
EXECUTIVE COMMIT TEE
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Karen Echeverria
Misty Jones
Jessica Harrison
Shoni Pegram
Kristi Toolson
Liz Killpack
Donagene TurnbowDrew Meyer
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
MARKETING & EVENTS MANAGER
POLICY & GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COOR.
COMMUNICATIONS & BD. TRAINING COOR.
FINANCE & OFFICE COORDINATOR
BOARD TRAINERS
ISBA STAFF
Board Officers & Executive Director
Regional Representatives, Board Officers & Executive Director
IDAHO SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION
222 N. 13th Street | Boise, ID 83702PO Box 9797 | Boise, ID 83707
PH: 208.854.1476 | FAX: 208.854.1480 | TOLL FREE: 866.799.ISBA (4722)Web: www.idsba.org
IDAHO SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION
REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES
REGION I
REGION II
REGION III
REGION IV
REGION V
REGION VI
REGION VII
REGION VIII
Larry Brown, Lakeland School DistrictMargie Gannon, St. Maries Jt. School District
Dawn Fazio, Moscow School DistrictJohn Menter, Troy School District
Jackie Hopper, Caldwell School DistrictRichard Cook, Notus School District
Todd Wells, Castleford Jt. School DistrictLucinda Rogers, Gooding Jt. School District
Susan Fletcher, American Falls School DistrictDavid Andersen, Oneida Co. School District
Nancy Arnold, Teton Co. School DistrictJ.D. Tolman, Blackfoot School District
Judy Lish, Butte Co. Jt. School DistrictDeb Foster, South Lemhi School District
Barbara Dixon, Meadows Valley School DistrictMargie Chipman, Weiser School District
APRIL 2011 • SLATE 3
IN THIS ISSUE
IN EVERY ISSUE FEATURES4.From the Director’s Chair
Stop, Shift, & Share
7.President’s Message
Excellence
8.Public Instruction
Students Come First Increases Local Control
10.From the State Board of Education
SBOE Supports Students Come First
11.Safety Notes
Cyberbullying
13.Ask ISBA
Conducting Interviews for Trustee Vacancy
14.Getting to Know the
ISBA Executive Board
Meet Dawn Fazio
4 8
15.Meet ISBA’s Newest Staff Members
16.The Top 10 Benefits of
Being an ISBA Member
20.Trustees: Say ‘Thanks’ to Your Employers
21.Two Caldwell School District Trustees
Representing Idaho Well
24.Executive Board Meeting Highlights
26.Board Policy: The Role of the Board Clerk
27.Media Relations: Opportunity or Trap?
28.School District Trustee Zones
CONTRIBUTORSKaren EcheverriaDallas ClingerTom LunaRichard WesterbergAllan Ranstrom and Pat Pinkham
EDITORIAL OFFICE:P.O. Box 9797, Boise, ID 83707-4797
PHONE: (208) 854-1476TOLL-FREE: (866) 799-4722FAX: (208) 854-1480ONLINE: www.idsba.org
ISBA MISSION STATEMENT
Subscription to the SLATE, published
five times per year, is by membership
to the Idaho School Boards Association.
The material contained herein is for
informational purposes only and may
be quite divergent in point of view and/
or controversial in nature. It is the belief
of the Association that the democratic
process functions best through discussions
which challenge and stimulate thinking
on the part of the reader. Therefore, this
material does not necessarily reflect the
opinion of the Association or its members.
vol.29 | no.2 | april.2011
The mission of the Idaho School Boards
Association is to provide leadership and
services to local school boards for the
benefit of students and for the advocacy of
public education.
12
2011 ISBA CALENDAR
See page 15 for dates ISBA Spring Regional Meetings
November 10-12ISBA Annual Convention
Eastern Idaho - July 14Northern Idaho - July 21Boise - July 28
Summer Leadership Institute !Calendar
4 SLATE • APRIL 2011
by Karen Echeverria
While not as long as other legislative sessions I have
participated in, this one was particularly grueling,
difficult, and exhausting. The lack of dollars and
the issues were not easy for anyone – trustees,
educators, legislators, other elected officials, students,
parents, patrons. Our membership was divided on
the Students Come First legislation – rabidly divided
– and that made it even more difficult for me.
I’M A PLEASER The most difficult part for me was
that I knew early on that I would not be able to
please all our members, and, I want nothing more
than to please our entire membership. I am thankful
for our ability to survey our members so that we
could quickly get advice from all of you. That at least
gave me a roadmap of where the majority of our
members felt we should be headed.
METHODS OF LOBBYING Different organizations have
different ways of reaching their legislators to lobby
them with their perspective on issues. I mean no
disrespect to any one organization; I am only trying
to point out the differences.
As we all saw, the Idaho Education Association
(IEA) and the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) chose
a more vocal and media centered approach. The ISBA
has taken a different approach since I have been in
this position. Phil Homer and Harold Ott, on behalf
of and the Idaho Association of Administrators (IASA)
have taken a similar approach as ISBA.
Phil, Harold, Jessica Harrison, Pat Sullivan, and
I have made a direct effort to establish personal
relationships with legislators, especially those who
have leadership roles and/or make decisions about
how and when to move legislation forward. Those
relationships allow us to have access to information
before the public may see it. They allow us to be
a part of recommendations or amendments to
legislation before it is printed.
When it comes time to lobby for a specific issue,
those personal relationships play a big role. Our
reputation precedes us and it carries more weight
than we might otherwise have had. We are oftentimes
approached prior to the crafting of the legislation.
That does not mean that we support or don’t support
the legislation – only that we have been asked for
our opinion.
This has truly been a year of teamwork for
ISBA and IASA. When any one of the lobbyists is
approached with an issue, we are sure to bring the
other into the loop so that we are all aware of what
is occurring. This has been a tremendous move on all
our parts and made us even more effective.
&SHARESTOP, SHIFT
APRIL 2011 • SLATE 5
FROM THE DIRECTOR’S CHAIR
DIFFERENT APPROACH I will acknowledge that this
is a different approach than ISBA used to take with
lobbying. When I was first hired at ISBA, it was to
be your lobbyist. I quickly learned that the method
that had been used was not my style. That method
was one of being the watchdog; waiting until the
legislation was printed, and then taking a position
to oppose or support. I felt strongly that that method
of lobbying had out lived its usefulness. It was time
for a change – a different approach. An approach
that I thought would better serve ISBA and all our
members.
I have been lobbying at some level for around
17 years and had built many relationships with
legislators and those in the state education
offices. I was confident that by continuing to build
relationships, we could move ourselves into a
position of influence. I have been asking all of you
to call your local legislators, say hello, introduce
yourself, reintroduce yourself, congratulate them on
their election, give them your number, and tell them
you are available to help them any time. It is those
very relationships that make us effective.
It is my belief that we are more effective by
establishing those relationships and working in the
background. I think our record over the past couple
of years bears that out. We have been much more
successful than those that try to make their case in
the media.
BE KNOWLEDGEABLE Aside from establishing
relationships, it is also important that you be
knowledgeable when you call your legislator or
choose to testify in front of any committee.
I estimate that I sat through around 100 hours
of testimony on various bills. Jessica spent a similar
amount of time. In reference to the Students Come
First legislation, I can’t tell you the number of people
that testified that had not even read the legislation!!!
When questioned, they would indicate that they had
read parts of it but not all. When questioned further,
it was apparent that they did not understand the
provisions of the bills. These same presenters would
also embellish and overstate the impacts that the
legislation would have. This sort of testimony causes
legislators to stop listening. At some point, they aren’t
sure if the presenter knows and understands the bill
and simply don’t believe the over-dramatization that
sometimes occurred.
That was not the case with the trustees. When
questioned, you were knowledgeable, informed, and
able to articulate the impacts the legislation would
have on your local districts. I was really proud of
all the trustees who took the time to testify at the
many various meetings that were held. All of you
understood the legislation you were testifying for or
against. This is another reason that ISBA members
are respected.
DISAGREEMENTS AND MOVING ON As I previously
stated, this has been a difficult legislative session.
Our members have been divided. Some members
don’t think we did enough, some think we did too
much. Some believe we should have taken a more
firm position in support, others think we should
have been more firm in our opposition. Some believe
we should have been more vocal, others think we
should have continued as we did.
STOP, SHIFT, AND SHARE So where do we go from
here? How do we move on with the division that
occurred with our members this past legislative
session? I guess we have two choices. We can spend
our time trying to second guess if we did the right
thing and attempting to discredit those with whom
we did not agree. Or, we can take the high road. We
need to work to implement the changes that occurred
with the legislation and to share those practices with
our fellow board members and school districts. I truly
hope that you will all choose the later and I have an
idea about how we might get there.
If you heard me testify to any of the committees,
you heard me speak about President Clinger and
I having the opportunity to attend the National
School Boards Association Leadership Conference in
Washington DC. While we were there, we had the
opportunity to hear from Jamie Vollmer, author of the
book entitled, “Schools Cannot Do It Alone: Building
Support for America’s Public Schools”. He challenged
us, all of us, to change the conversation we are
having today about public education. He said we
need to stop, shift, and share. He said that we need
to stop bad mouthing each other in public. We need
to shift our attention from negative to positive. We
need to start talking about our successes and have
positive conversations of greatness and possibility.
continued...
We need to
STOP bad
mouthing
each other
in public.
We need to
SHIFT our
attention
from
negative to
positive.
We need to
to SHARE
at least five
positive
things about
education
every week.
6 SLATE • APRIL 2011
I’LL BE THE FIRST TO TRY I pledge to stop talking
about all the presenters that were not prepared
when they testified before the committees.
I pledge to shift my thought processes by working
to find ways for all of us to implement these changes.
All of us includes trustees, superintendents, business
managers, clerks, teachers, non-certificated staff,
parents, and patrons. It will take all of us to make
this work.
I pledge to share success stories that I hear with
the rest of the membership. We will either place
these success stories on our website or I will send
emails periodically about your successes.
ARE YOU UP FOR THE CHALLENGE? I know it
would be easy to continue with the negative. The
cuts to public education over the past few years are
unprecedented and have made the work of trustees
very hard. But we have the ability to change the
conversations we have about what has occurred. It
rests in your hands. I have all the faith in the world
that you can all do it.
Are you ready to stop, shift, and share? I hope
you.... I think you are.
ISBA is pleased to announce Jamie Vollmer as a
keynote speaker at the ISBA Annual Convention
in November. Jamie is president of Vollmer,
Inc., a public education advocacy firm working
to increase student success by raising public
support for America’s schools. Jamie is the author
of the highly acclaimed book, Schools Cannot Do
It Alone: Building Public Support for America’s
Public Schools, one of the top ten education
books of 2010 according to the American School
Board Journal. He is the 2010 recipient of the
Learning and Liberty award presented by the
National School Public Relations Association in
recognition of his efforts over twenty years to
strengthen school/community partnerships.
FROM THE DIRECTOR’S CHAIR
Finally, he told us to share at least five positive
things about education every week.
• Saying negative things about each other
– about other trustees, staff, fellow board
members, lobbyists, educators, elected officials,
Superintendent Luna, the IEA
• The negative conversations we are having – with
our families, friends, legislators, media, and
each other
• Begin a positive conversation
• There is a way to indicate your position and
desire without being negative
• Begin working on how to positively implement
these changes
• Your successes. When you find a new way to
make all of this work, tell your story – to ISBA,
the media, your fellow board members
• Something good or nice that a teacher in your
school district did today
• Something good that your fellow board member
did
• Something good that one or all of your ISBA
Executive Board members did this legislative
session
ISBA Executive Director karen@idsba.org
STOP
SHIFT
SHARE
So, here is my challenge to all of you:
Jamie Vollmer to Speak at ISBA Convention
The cuts to public
education over
the past few years
are unprecedented
and have made
the work of
trustees very
hard. But we
have the ability
to change the
conversation we
have about what
has occurred.
It rests in your
hands. I have all
the faith in the
world that you
can do it.
APRIL 2011 • SLATE 7
First of all, what is a trustee? According to dictionary.com
a trustee is, “a person, usually one of a body of persons,
appointed to administer the affairs of a company, institution,
etc.” Ok, so that is not so earth shattering. As trustees we understand
the responsibilities to administer the affairs of our local school districts.
We also understand that we act as trustees only when there is a quorum
and that without a quorum we are only patrons of the district but with
an added responsibility to have our ears to the ground and our eyes fixed
firmly on the goals of the district.
Trustee also implies a fiduciary responsibility. We have all struggled
with the delicate balance of meeting the needs of our children with the
limited resources we have. We also have responsibilities to the teachers,
administrators, patrons and taxpayers of our districts; to make sure
we are utilizing the resources at our disposal with judgment and care.
Sometimes getting the right balance is tricky. We must never transfer that
fiduciary responsibility to anyone. It is our elected duty.
Now I ponder the meaning of trustee leadership. In my previous
Slate article, I wrote my thoughts on what leadership is and how good
leadership is so much more crucial in difficult times. Over the years, as
I have come to know many of the trustees of this state, I am convinced
that we have the best leaders; all elected to administer local school
districts. It never ceases to amaze me that there are approximately 560
Idahoans that spend their own money to get elected to a position where
they donate their time, talents and expertise to their local districts only
to receive those late night phone calls and spend countless hours each
month sitting in meetings trying to make our vanishing resources cover
the ever expanding requirements. We must really love our children.
The next question that needs to be asked is: What is excellence in
Idaho public education? That is probably the hardest part of our Vision
Statement to really understand and to articulate. Excellence, to me, is
not perfection. We can excel without being perfect. We will always have
room to improve, and improve we must. We should always ask ourselves:
“Does our vision get us to where we need to be or do we need to make
course corrections to get us there?” and “Are we providing everything
within our power to improve the educational experience of the students
under our responsibility?”
I believe we have excellent teachers and administrators. Our children
are getting a great education. My five children have all received their
K-12 education here in Idaho. I have seen them going on to the colleges
and universities and excel there as well. They received a great education
in the public schools here in Idaho; in fact, I would go as far as to say
they received an excellent education. I also see children coming into our
districts with limited English proficiency, graduating and furthering their
educations, many of them returning to our community to become great
citizens and contributors.
We have challenges motivating the less motivated and helping the
less fortunate get a complete and thorough education. The requirements
of the state and federal governments and our limited resources to meet
those requirements are challenges in and of themselves. We are also
challenged by the disintegration of the families. More and more of our
students arrive to school without breakfast and without the parental
support to get their homework done and get a good night sleep. Many of
our children have to tend younger siblings while their parent or parents
are working.
We will always be faced with challenges. When we resolve some, new
ones will appear. Challenges have always been here and will always be
with us. When you are weighed down remember that challenges produce
the opportunities for greatness. If there weren’t challenges, then we
wouldn’t need great leaders. Excellence, in the face of challenges, can be
achieved as we work towards getting all children to meet their potential.
In our local districts, we must always be sharing our vision especially
in these times of change. We need to be our local district’s best supporter
and advocate. We need to continue to work tirelessly to promote the
excellent education that our children are receiving. I don’t buy into the
idea that our system is broken and that we need major reformations to
fix it. We do need to make sure that, at the local level, we are providing
the best technology that our districts can afford and encouraging our
children to push themselves to higher achievement.
I hope that when I am done with my season of service on my
local board I can say “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my
course; I have made a difference in the lives of the children of our
community.”
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
EXCELLENCEVISION WAS ONCE EXPLAINED AS “A PICTURE OF THE FUTURE YOU LAY CLAIM TO NOW.”
THE VISION OF THE IDAHO SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION IS: “TRUSTEE LEADERSHIP FOR
EXCELLENCE IN IDAHO PUBLIC EDUCATION.” A MYRIAD OF THOUGHTS COME TO MY HEAD
AS I HAVE PONDERED AND CONTEMPLATED THESE FEW WORDS. by Dallas Clinger
DALLAS CLINGER ISBA President
8 SLATE • APRIL 2011
With the passage of Senate Bills 1108 and
1110, locally elected school boards now have
more authority and flexibility than they have
had in decades.
As State Superintendent and a former
school board trustee, I have every confidence
that our current and future school boards will
act in the best interest of Idaho students –
always putting our kids first and making them
the priority.
These two bills give you that ability to put
students first.
Right now, our public education system
makes it nearly impossible to reward excellent
teachers and to deal with poor teaching. If our
goal is to make sure Idaho students are put
first, we must remove the barriers to both
because we know the most important factor
in a student’s academic success is the quality
of the teacher in the classroom. Knowing that,
we cannot leave it to chance.
Instead, we must give locally elected
school board trustees the tools they need to
manage their local workforce and to reward
Idaho’s great teachers. That is what these two
bills will accomplish through your leadership.
For too many years, the pendulum of
power in school districts has swung away
from the elected leaders. Senate Bill 1108
returns control to local school boards.
This reform is essential if we are going
to ensure every Idaho student succeeds.
Research shows students need a highly
effective teacher every year they are in school.
According to Dr. Robert Marzano, an average
student excels academically after just one
year in the classroom with a great teacher.
Conversely, that same average student will
suffer academically if just one year is spent
with an ineffective teacher – and the student
may never catch up.
We cannot allow this to happen. It’s clear
that every year in a student’s education is
critical.
BY TOM LUNA
SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
INCREASES LOCAL CONTROLSTUDENTS COME FIRST
APRIL 2011 • SLATE 9
As school board trustees, you have been
vested with the authority to manage the
workforce at the local level to ensure every
academic year is meaningful. Now, Senate Bill
1108 gives you the flexibility you need to fulfill
this duty.
First, the bill removes the “evergreen”
clause from local master agreements. No
longer will the school boards of today be
tied by decisions made by school boards of
the past. Instead, each year, the local school
board and teachers’ association will agree on
a new master agreement.
Second, the bill eliminates seniority as a
criterion for reduction in force. For too long,
district superintendents and school board
trustees have had to let go some of the most
effective educators in a district because those
individuals didn’t have seniority. No longer
will we allow longevity to determine teacher
quality. Now, as school board members, you
will set the right criteria for reduction in force.
Third, the bill phases out teacher tenure.
If we are going to put students first, we can
no longer permit a forever contract in our
schools. Those teachers who currently have
tenure will keep it. New teachers in Idaho
will be offered up to a two-year contract.
This gives Idaho’s elected school boards the
flexibility they need to attract and retain the
best possible teachers every year.
Finally, the bill enhances the performance
evaluation process for professional staff.
At least 50 percent of all professional staff
evaluations – from the superintendent to
teachers – will be tied to student achievement.
Local trustees will work with parents, teachers
and other stakeholders to develop the student
achievement measures and how they will be
evaluated each year. In addition, parent input
must be considered in all teacher performance
evaluations. The local school board will
determine how to collect and include this
parent input going forward.
In addition to providing more local control
in the operations of the districts, Senate Bill
1110 will give local school boards the ability
to reward Idaho teachers for their hard work
in the classroom each and every day. All pay-
for-performance bonuses will be in addition to
a teacher’s salary, and most of the decisions
regarding these bonuses will be made at the
local level.
The pay-for-performance plan approved by
the Legislature is not new for Idaho schools
and districts. We discussed the details of
this plan extensively in 2009 when the State
applied for the federal Race to the Top grant.
The plan was developed and agreed to by
all educational stakeholders, including the
Idaho Education Association, Idaho School
Boards Association, Idaho Association of
School Administrators, Idaho Superintendents’
Association, Idaho Business Coalition for
Education Excellence, Idaho State Board of
Education and the Governor’s Office.
This plan awards teachers for working in
hard-to-fill positions, taking on leadership
duties, or working in a school that shows
academic growth year over year. The local
school board will determine the hard-to-fill
positions, the leadership positions, and the
bonuses that will be awarded for each of
these.
Student achievement bonuses will be
distributed at the state and local levels. The
school board will work with local educational
stakeholders to develop local student
achievement goals that are eligible for awards
each year.
The State will award student achievement
bonuses on a schoolwide basis each year. If a
school meets academic targets for growth or
overall achievement in a year, all the certified
staff in the school building will receive a
bonus. This recognizes that all teachers
contribute to a student’s academic success,
not just teachers in core subject areas.
The State portion of student achievement
awards also focus on growth. In fact, 70 percent
of the State student achievement awards will
go to the staff of schools showing academic
growth because we know education is a
process, not a destination. We should reward
educators for the growth their students make
while they are teaching them. This is the only
fair way to measure academic performance.
Under this plan, Idaho’s teachers will have
the opportunity to earn up to $8,000 a year
in bonuses on top of their annual salary. This
is how we can finally improve teacher pay
and give Idaho’s great teachers more control
over how much they make each year. This is
how we will attract and retain the best and
the brightest into the teaching profession in
Idaho.
These reforms in Senate Bills 1108 and
1110 are changes the Idaho Legislature and
school boards have discussed for years. Many
of them were considered back in the mid-
1990s when I was a local trustee. These are
policies whose time has come.
Now, it is up to local leaders across
the State to implement these new policies
fairly and effectively. With this additional
authority comes a new level of scrutiny
and accountability. Therefore, as elected
officials, the onus is on you to ensure every
decision you make works to improve the local
school, community, and above all, student
achievement.
PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
10 SLATE • APRIL 2011
The debate on Superintendent Tom Luna’s
Students Come First plan has raged now for
close to three months. I want to take this
opportunity to clearly state that I personally,
and as the current president of the Idaho State
Board of Education, support good teachers. I
do not believe that this reform as proposed
will bring the current system to its knees as
some have predicted but will, in fact, help
those good teachers who are doing such
wonderful things in classrooms throughout
the State be recognized for that effort.
First up, the Idaho State Board of
Education supports the tenets of the plan.
The SBOE has long advocated for changes
to Idaho Code that give local trustees more
flexibility in make decisions that impact
their districts especially when it comes to
employment contracts.
Change is never easy nor should it be.
When a state or any level of government is
looking at such a monumental shift in how
it approaches its responsibilities, intense
scrutiny is, and should be, part of the process.
That scrutiny however, must be held at
a level that it is respectful and warrants
professionalism from all parties
involved.
SBOE SUPPORTSSTUDENTS COME FIRST
FROM THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
President, State Board of Educationby Richard WesterbergAs we move forward towards
implementation of Students Com First, let us
put our differences of opinion aside and come
together- for the sake of the students. After
all, we are all doing this for the betterment of
the students. Even if we don’t totally agree
with what has or might happen, in the end it
is us, the adults, the leaders, those who are
in positions that can and do affect change-
it is us to whom the students will look for
direction. If we react with professionalism,
with maturity and with resolve to do our best-
our students will follow with similar behavior.
That is not to say they will agree, nor is it to
imply that they should follow blindly. But we
all should do our absolute best to ensure that
the lessons that we impart through our words
and deeds are worthy of their attention.
AS WE MOVE FORWARD TOWARDS IMPLEMENTATION OF STUDENTS COME FIRST, LET US PUT OUR DIFFERENCES OF OPINION ASIDE AND COME TOGETHER- FOR THE SAKE OF THE STUDENTS.
Richard Westerberg lives in Preston, is
the current president of the Idaho State
Board of Education and served 12 years
as a trustee on the Preston School Board.
APRIL 2011 • SLATE 11
C yberbullies use voice messages, email, text messages, digital
photos, video, or personal web pages to deliberately harass,
intimidate, or embarrass another person. Students can send
hurtful text messages to others or spread rumors using cell phones or
computers. Teens have also created web-pages, videos, and profiles
on social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace to make fun
of others. With cell phones, teens have taken pictures or video in a
bedroom, bathroom, or other location where privacy is expected and
posted or distributed these pictures electronically.
There are many detrimental outcomes associated with cyberbullying.
The targets of the bullying often feel depressed, sad, angry, and frustrated.
Many victims who experience cyberbullying are afraid or embarrassed to
go to school, and research has shown links between cyberbullying and
low self esteem, academic problems, school violence, and delinquent
behavior. There are a number of different studies used to estimate the
numbers of students who experience cyberbullying; with most estimates
ranging from 20% to 50% of the student population.
Cyberbullying is different from traditional bullying. The cyberbullies
can hide their identity behind their computer or cell phone by using
anonymous email addresses, or screen names. It is also easier to be cruel
using technology. It can be done at physically distant locations, and the
bully does not have to see the immediate response of the victim. The
effect of cyberbullying can be devastating due to the speed in which the
bullying can spread.
Schools must take extra precautions before disciplining students for
cyberbullying behavior in cases where the technology was used away
from the school campus. If so, the constitutional guarantee of protected
speech may apply. School districts should use an Acceptable Use Policy
(AUP) signed by both the students and his/her parents in exchange
for use of the schools computer, hardware, and network. The AUP is a
contract that calls for the student to agree to use proper online behavior,
regardless of whether the behavior occurs at school or at a different
location. An AUP gives the school a legal foundation to discipline bullies
no matter where the behavior occurred or what type of device was used.
and Pat Pinkhamby Allan Ranstrom
bullyingCyberCyberbullying is a type of bullying that is rapidly growing in public
schools. It is defined as “willful and repeated harm inflicted through
the use of computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices”.
SAFETY NOTES
It is easier to be cruel using
technology. It can be done at
physically distant locations, and
the bully does not have to see the
immediate response of the victim. continued...
12 SLATE • APRIL 2011
Allan Ranstrom Pat Pinkham
The most important step a school can take to prevent cyberbullying is
to educate students about responsible technology use. Students need to
know that all forms of bully behavior are wrong, and those that choose to
engage in harassing behavior will be subject to discipline.
School district staff should review their harassment and bullying
policies, be trained in indentifying typical cyberbullying behavior, and
understand how and to whom bullying behavior is to be reported.
Evidence of cyberbullying should be carefully preserved. This would
include any text messages, emails, digital photos or videos, or internet
pages. If a school staff member becomes aware of cyberbullying, and
does not report it, the district could be held legally liable.TM
If you have questions on Cyberbullying or on accessing safety & loss control training for your district through the SafeSchools.com website, please contact Allan Ranstrom or Pat Pinkham at Moreton & Company. They can be reached at 800-341-6789.
MORETON & COMPANY
BUSINESS PARTNER
DIAMONDISBA
...continued from previous page
School Districts that use SafeSchools.com can access several staff
training presentations on the subject of computer online safety including
courses on:
•Cyberbullying
•Online Predators
•Online Safety-Threats of Violence
BUSINESS PARTNER
BRONZEISBA
APRIL 2011 • SLATE 13
We have a trustee vacancy on our board and would like to conduct interviews of potential candidates. Should this be done in executive session or in open meeting? Additionally, do you have any suggested questions to ask these candidates?
ASK ISBA
Pursuant to Idaho Code Section 67-2345(1)(a), you can hold an executive session
to “consider hiring a public officer, employee, staff member of individual agent,
wherein the respective qualities of the individuals are to be evaluated in order to fill
a particular vacancy or need. This paragraph does not apply to filling a vacancy in an
elective office or deliberations about staffing needs in general.”
There are several great questions to ask trustee candidates. The ISBA has a document on its
webpage that provides several questions you may want to consider asking the candidates. The
document can be found on the ISBA website (www.idsba.org) and then following the tabs “Board
Development” – “Board Candidate Resources” – “School Board Candidate Questions”.
Q:A:
ASKISBA
Ask ISBA is one of the newest services ISBA offers to its membership. ISBA staff receive questions from trustees, superintendents, and clerks on a variety of topics. To help others learn from these questions and answers, the Ask ISBA web feature has been added
to the ISBA website at www.idsba.org. We encourage you to check this site if you have questions. It is possible that someone else has asked the question. If not, you can ask the question so that everyone else will benefit from the answer as well.
about
Ask ISBA
14 SLATE • APRIL 2011
I began serving as a school board member in the
early 1990s in a small K-6 district near Lincoln,
Nebraska. It was so small that I was also the
treasurer for the district. When I returned to
Moscow, I applied and was appointed to fill
a position vacated by a board member who
moved. I have served on the Moscow School
Board since July 1994, the last 8 years as Chair.
I served as a Region 2 representative to the
ISBA Executive Board for several years in the
late 1990s and was recently reelected to serve
as Region 2 Chair.
School board service must run in my blood
because my dad served on the board in our
small school district in northern New York for 30
years. I serve because I love working with our
dedicated educators and working to improve
public education. I believe a good public
educational system is crucial to our country’s
success as a democracy and a world leader. I
have found that being a board member is always
interesting and challenging. I can draw on my
experiences as a former elementary teacher
and as a successful parent and business owner
to help meet those challenges.
Hiring the right superintendent is the most important part of your job as a board member.
Choose your district´s superintendent wisely and take the time to delineate the roles of the
board and the superintendent. This will make your job as a school board member easier and
more enjoyable. The superintendent as CEO is the one responsible for the ultimate success
of your district, everything from student achievement and finances to staff morale and
community involvement. Establish a good working relationship with your superintendent
and then let him or her do their job.
My official name is Dawna, but I
usually go by Dawn. I grew up in the
mountains of northern New York, met
my husband, Jim, in graduate school at
Colorado State University and moved
to Moscow in 1974 when he got a job
teaching at the University of Idaho.
Moscow has been a great place to live
and raise our two children, Walter and
Julianna, who recently graduated from
BYU. We enjoy the outdoors together
hiking, bird-watching, bicycling, skiing
and traveling. I am self-employed
running our family business now in its
26th year, a catalog and online store
with all sorts of Smokey Bear gifts and
collectibles. Nine years ago we added
an arts and crafts retail store called
Northwest Showcase and this past fall
a JCPenney Merchant (Catalog) Center.
ABOUT MY SERVICE
WHY I SERVE ON THE BOARD
MY BEST ADVICE
GETTING TO KNOW THE ISBA EXECUTIVE BOARD
Dawn FazioMOSCOW JT. SCHOOL DISTRICT #281
ISBA REGION 2 CHAIRMAN
A LITTLE ABOUT ME
APRIL 2011 • SLATE 15
Shoni PegramJob Title: Communications and Board Training Coordinator
Let me begin by letting you know how exciting and enjoyable
it is for me to be a new member of the ISBA staff and this
wonderful organization as the part-time Communications and
Board Training Coordinator.
This is such a very important
and monumental time
for Idaho education and I
consider it a tremendous
opportunity to be part
of the leading education
association in Idaho.
Working with our dedicated
trustees, staff colleagues,
state officials and legislators
in this historic time is very
gratifying.
As a life-long resident of Idaho and graduate of Caldwell
High School, you can also find me at the College of Idaho where I
am a senior pursuing a degree in Political Economy with a minor
in Leadership Studies. Working with all of you at ISBA fits right in
with my interest in government and active personality. I’ve been
fortunate to work for several candidates and elected officials
and I am really happy to build on that experience now with ISBA.
Please call on me anytime I can be of assistance.
Kristi ToolsonJob Title: Finance and Office Coordinator
I grew up on a ranch spending my summers in Caribou County
and the winters (and school) in Rupert. After marrying Don in
1986 I moved to Rupert full time where we owned and operated
Minidoka Pharmacy for
many years. Choosing to
sell to a larger company, I
sought employment with
the Minidoka County School
District as an Elementary
School Secretary. Working in
the schools for eight years
gave me a great appreciation
for the teachers, students
and ALL staff members. My
last 1 1/2 years was spent
at District Office where
I was able to cross-train with our School Board Clerk, Patricia
Knoblauch.
Away from work, I love spending time with my family,
including sons, Philip and Adrian, and volunteering for various
causes.
I feel privileged to be part of the ISBA Team and will do all in
my power to provide any assistance needed.
NEWEST STAFFMeet ISBA’s
ISBA
Spring REGIONAL MEETINGS
REGION 1: Wednesday, April 27 • 6:00 pm • Post Falls High School
REGION 2: Tuesday, April 26 • 6:00 pm • Timber Creek Grill (Buffet Style Dinner) • 2305 Nez Perce Dr., Lewiston
REGION 3: Wednesday, April 20 • 6:30 pm • ISBA Office, 222 N. 13th St., Boise
REGION 4: Wednesday, May 4 • 6:30 pm • 6:30 pm Refreshments, 7:00 pm Meeting • Shoshone High School
REGION 5: Monday, May 2 • 6:00 pm • Pocatello/Chubbuck SD Office • 3115 Poleline Rd.
REGION 6: Tuesday, May 3 • 7:00 pm • Jefferson District Office, 3850 E. 300 N., Rigby
REGION 7: Thursday, April 21 • 7:00 pm • Teleconference
REGION 8: Thursday, April 28 • 7:00 pm • Weiser High School Library • Teleconference also available
16 SLATE • APRIL 2011
APRIL 2011 • SLATE 17
2 property & liability insurance
over $4 Million in dividends.
board trainingBoard Training is a vital aspect of a school board’s ongoing
professional development. Sign up for an ISBA board training module
that can address the needs of your school board and district staff:
Protect your schools and reduce your costs by participating in a program specifically designed for Idaho school districts. 90% of Idaho school districts are now enrolled, and over the past 10 years have received
• Effective Board Governance
• Leadership for Student Achievement
• Strategic Planning
• Education Law
• School Finance and the Boards Role
• Board Goal Setting and Self Assessment
• Parliamentary Procedure
• Policy
• Effective Meetings and Open Meeting Laws
Plus^!
travel insurance
3Every ISBA school board member is covered with
$50,000 additional life insurance in case of an
Contact ISBA’s board trainers
liz@idsba.org208-589-4037Liz Killpack:
donagene_turnbow@idsba.org208-659-7343Donagene Turnbow:
Drew Meyer:
208-521-2232
drew@idsba.org
1no.
15-25Points
$ $
accident during district-related travel.
18 SLATE • APRIL 2011
publications
7no.
THE SLATE is published five times a year, provides an in-depth
perspective of issues all board members need to understand and offers a
quick summary of current news and upcoming activities.
THE POLICY UPDATE NEWSLETTER is published quarterly to keep
members apprised of current policy changes.
THE ESQUIRE is ISBA’s legal newsletter, published quarterly to keep trustees
informed of emerging legal issues in education.
CAPITOL NOTES is an electronic publication (e-newsletter) posted weekly
on our website during the legislative session (Jan-March).
policy services
5 A primary function of ISBA is to support and improve policy-making by Idaho public school
boards. The Policy Services staff provide reliable, authoritative policy assistance
and information to help school boards draft and maintain policies.
Over one-half of Idaho school districts and six charter schools are currently members
of the update service. In addition, several districts have contracted our services for a
custom re-write of their current policy manual.
ISBA Policy Staff help schools update their policies
based upon changes in Legislation
Be proactive; avoid costly
litigation. Our legal staff fields
calls and emails every day.
Give us a call when you have
a legal question. If it takes 20
minutes or less it's FREE!
The Annual Convention is a valuable
professional development opportunity for
boards, superintendents, and clerks. In
addition, the ISBA Business Session is your school
board's opportunity to vote on the policy issues
that will make up your association's legislative
agenda for the upcoming year.
legalservices6 annual convention
The 2011 Annual Convention will be held in Coeur d’Alene
November 10-12
APRIL 2011 • SLATE 19
EASTERN IDAHO14
NORTHERN IDAHO
21
BOISE
28
MARK YOURCALENDARS
The Summer Leadership Institute (formerly known as the New Board Member Workshop) is provided every summer by the ISBA in an effort to provide mid-year training for new board members, veteran board members, superintendents, clerks, and other district team members.
The workshop will include classes on the following topics: •Trustee Roles & Responsibilities
•Board Ethics
•Effective Meetings
•Basic School Finance
•Resources, Regions,
Resolutions, & Legislation
•Basics of Board Policy
•Board Scenarios
10#labor relationsBecause we have
a mission:
governmental affairs
legislative advocacy&9
8ISBA provides a book of district salary schedules, information on
current negotiated agreements and bargaining proposals.
Additional information on labor relations advice, negotiations training,
strike preparation and conflict resolution are available upon request.
Specific services are available on a fee-for-service basis.
ISBA Legislative Services staff works with legislators, State Board of Education, and State Department
of Education representatives, as well as other stakeholders in developing school finance programs,
participating in efforts to revise labor/management laws, and opposing bills which restrict local control
of schools. To advocate for school districts, the ISBA staff and Governmental Affairs Committee are
involved in day-to-day activities at the legislature.
The mission of the Idaho School Boards
Association is to provide leadership and
services to local school boards for the benefit of
students and for the
advocacy of public
education.
20 SLATE • APRIL 2011
DOES YOUR EMPLOYER SHOW A CONSTRUCTIVE INTEREST IN YOUR SCHOOL BOARD WORK? ARE YOU ALLOWED TO KEEP A FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE TO BALANCE WORK WITH SCHOOL BOARD DUTIES? DOES YOUR EMPLOYER DESERVE SPECIAL RECOGNITION FOR ENCOURAGING YOU IN YOUR SERVICE TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS?
EMPLOYER COMMENDATION REQUEST
YOUR EMPLOYING COMPANY OR INSTITUTION:
Company Address
Company Name
City State Zip Code
Individual name and title to whom commendation should be sent
ABOUT YOU:
Your name
Your telephone number Date of request
Your school district
I am regularly employed on a salaried or hourly basis and request that ISBA send a special letter and certificate of commendation to the employer identified on this form.
Say to your employers‘thanks’Trustees:
Now you can say “thanks” to your employer who supports you and your work as a school board member. Upon the recommendation of any Idaho trustee who is regularly employed (salaried or hourly), ISBA Executive Director Karen Echeverria will send a letter of commendation to the board member’s employer, along with a certificate suitable for framing.
The purpose of ISBA’s Employer Commendation Program is to recognize those organizations that make a special point of encouraging and supporting employees who serve on school boards. The award also will:
» Remind the employer that there is a school board member on staff
» Acknowledge that the employer views school board service as an essential and demanding community activity
» Recognize that serving on a school board takes time and requires understanding of the employer
» Reinforce the employer’s commitment to support school board members
» Encourage other employees to see that commitment and adopt a similar posture
» Encourage all employers and employees to view school board service as a worthwhile endeavor
If you are employed by a business or institution that supports your school board work, and if you would like ISBA to send your employer a letter and certificate of commendation, please complete the form below and mail, fax, or email it to ISBA.
1
MAIL, FAX OR EMAIL THIS FORM: Misty Jones, Marketing & Events Manager
Mail: ISBA, PO Box 9797 Boise, ID 83707-4797 • Facsimile: (208) 854-1480 • E-mail: misty@idsba.org
3
2
APRIL 2011 • SLATE 21
TWO CALDWELL SCHOOL DISTRICT TRUSTEES HAVE RECEIVED THE GREAT HONOR OF BEING NAMED THE IDAHO BUSINESS REVIEW’S IDAHO WOMEN OF THE YEAR. TRUSTEE LEANN S IMMONS RECEIVED THE AWARD IN 2009 AND FELLOW TRUSTEE, JACKIE HOPPER, WAS A 2010 AWARD RECIP IENT.
REPRESENTING IDAHO WELLTWO CALDWELL SCHOOL DISTRICT TRUSTEES
LeAnn Simmons Improving the lives of young people through strong education
programs is a top priority for LeAnn Simmons. LeAnn was recognized in
2009 as one of the Idaho Business Review’s Women of the Year.
LeAnn is the Executive Director of Idaho Voices for Children, a
statewide advocacy organization whose mission is to raise awareness,
influence policy and unite our community to resolve problems facing
Idaho’s children in the areas of health, education, safety and family
economic security. Her passion for helping children continues in her
activities outside of Idaho Voices for Children, particularly in her work as
a trustee for the Caldwell School District and Board member for First Book
Treasure Valley a national non-profit organization with a single mission:
to give children from low-income families the opportunity to read and
own their first new books. “I spend most of my time collaborating on
issues that affect children,” Simmons said.
Roger Quarels, superintendent of the Caldwell School District, noted
that in addition to her invaluable contributions as a district trustee,
“LeAnn was instrumental in bringing grant money to the district
to support a truancy program that has increased the average daily
attendance in all schools to be some of the highest in our state.”
Among her mentors, one LeAnn singled out was Dale Peterson
former Executive Director of Buy Idaho. “He taught me many things
but mostly what community engagement is all about and how to
make an impact through direct influence as well as consensus
building.”
Simmons has carried that advice into everything she does today.
“There are really two things that guide my actions: relationships and
priorities,” she said. “It’s all about relationships. No matter what you
are trying to accomplish, you need to build the relationships first
and foremost. Then make sure you know what your priorities are and
plan each day based on those priorities.”
Each year the Idaho Business Review honors
individuals who serve as role models on how
to achieve success and simultaneously leave
a lasting legacy for a new generation. Every
year the Idaho Business Review receives over
100 nominations for the award. The nominees
are then reduced to 50 award recipients.
The selection committee rates the
nominees in four categories: professional
accomplishments, leadership skills,
community involvement, and long-term goals.
The 50 honorees come from all walks of
personal and professional life. Some have
years of education and multiple degrees;
others do not. They all are successful in their
professions, recognized as leaders, involved
in their communities and can see the big
picture and know how to follow through
(Idaho Business Review).
LEANN SIMMONS JACKIE HOPPER
continued...
22 SLATE • APRIL 2011
Jackie HopperFor all the horror stories that abound concerning the parenting of teenagers, Jackie Hopper’s love of teens goes way beyond sitcom sentimentality.
Both in her life as a mother and in her professional role as director of faith formation for the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Boise, Jackie spends
a lot of time encouraging others to dream their wildest dreams.
Jackie is responsible for the overall religious formation of the cathedral community, which includes bringing together the Spanish speaking and
English speaking communities within her parish and serves as community event coordinator. She also oversees religious education of children from
infancy to sixth grade – a job that includes training, evaluating and supervising a staff of 35 volunteers.
Education is a constant thread in the narrative of Hopper’s life. All five members of her family are in school, including Jackie, who is currently
pursuing a master of business administration through the University of Phoenix. Jackie was the founding member of the Caldwell YMCA and currently
serves as the Idaho School Boards Association Region 3 Chairman. She is also a member of the Consolidated Health Committee with the State
Department of Education.
“Jackie has been instrumental in driving dramatic change in public education, from what we teach, to how we teach, to the facilities we teach
in,” says Superintendent Roger Quarles.
Jackie’s heroes, not surprisingly, are strong and courageous women such as Rosa Parks and Florence Nightingale. But she also includes her
grandmothers Isabel and Elizabeth, who raised her parents through the Great Depression. “These women were all strong advocates of justice who
worked tirelessly for their community and their families.” Just like Jackie Hopper.
Article information courtesy of Idaho Business Review.
...continued from previous page
The ISBA invites school districts, educational agencies, and others to submit proposals for workshops to be presented at the ISBA Annual Convention. Convention attendees are seeking information and skills to help them govern and lead more effectively in the ever-changing world of public education.
All workshop proposals must be received by June 30, 2011. Visit www.idsba.org for workshop proposal applications and other timeline information.
I S B A A N N U A L C O N V E N T I O N + C O E U R D ’ A L E N E + N O V E M B E R 1 0 - 1 2 , 2 0 1 1
Help others benefit from your expertise & experience
WORKSHOP PROPOSALSCall for
A R E Y O U I N T E R E S T E D I N P R E S E N T I N G A W O R K S H O P AT T H E I S B A A N N U A L C O N V E N T I O N ?Can the trustees and school district leadership of Idaho benefit from your expertise or experience? If yes, we want to hear from you!
Y O U ’ R E I N V I T E D !
H O W TO A P P LY
APRIL 2011 • SLATE 23
Serving Idaho’s school districts for over 27 years. Over 114 school districts
and charter schools statewide are members of the ISBA Insurance Plan.
A l l A n R A n s t R o m | ( 2 0 8 ) 3 2 1 - 2 0 0 1 | A l l A n @ m o R e t o n . c o m
Protect what’s important with the...
ISBA INSURANCE PLANBUSINESS PARTNER
DIAMONDISBA
24 SLATE • APRIL 2011
BUDGET REPORT: ISBA made some revisions to its 2010-2011 Budget due to the fact that
ISBA is leasing a part of its building and will now have to pay some
property taxes and income taxes from the profit earned on the lease.
POSSIBLE BY-LAW CHANGE:The possibility of a By-law change was raised to address the issue of
the hiring of past ISBA officers. Board members were assigned to draft
a proposed change for Executive Board review.
RETENTION POLICIES AMENDMENTS:ISBA staff undertook over the summer the large task of cleaning out and
organizing office files. During this time national policies on document
retention as well as input from the auditors and accountants were
reviewed for guidance on the maintenance of documents. Suggested
changes were made and approved to ISBA policies on document
retention to reflect national trends and auditor and accountant input.
AFFILIATE DUES:A discussion was held on the amount of dues charged to ISBA affiliate
members. It was noted that affiliate members do not get to vote at the
Business Session of the ISBA Annual Convention and get limited access
Executive Board MeetingHighlightsFebruary 15-16, 2011
ISBA’s Executive Board conducts important business that is similar to the work done by local school boards. Executive Board members and ISBA staff tackle numerous agenda items and hear a variety of reports. Here are some of the highlights from the meeting held in February:
to ISBA legal services. The Board requested more information from ISBA
staff and will take up this issue at the next meeting.
APRIL MEETING DATE:The date for the April Executive Board meeting was discussed. The spring
meeting used to be held in May, but has been moved to April to better
accommodate Board business, members’ schedules, and high school
graduation dates. The April meeting will take place on the 29th – 30th.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT:The Executive Director reported on the status of the ISBA Insurance
Program, the pending review of trustee zones based upon the release of
the census data and the two new ISBA staff members.
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE (GAC) REPORT:The GAC meeting was focused on the testimony of President Dallas
Clinger to the House and Senate Education Committees regarding
Superintendent Luna’s Students Come First legislation during the ISBA
Day on the Hill event. The GAC directed Mr. Clinger to the areas of
support and non-support found in the ISBA survey of trustees.
24 SLATE • APRIL 2011
ANNUAL CONVENTION REPORT:ISBA staff member Misty Jones reported on the 2010 ISBA Annual
Convention. Based on feedback, ISBA will continue with the condensed
schedule at the 2011 Convention. Attendance and sponsorships
exceeded expectations and suggestions were made for improving the
Scholarship Auction and Awards Banquet.
PACIFIC REGION MEETING REPORT:ISBA President Dallas Clinger reported on the National School Boards
Association (NSBA) Pacific Region meeting that was held in December,
2010. He reported that Executive Director, Karen Echeverria, was elected
Secretary/Treasurer of the NSBA Pacific Region. Mr. Clinger also reported
that NSBA emphasized the importance of federal land endowment
funds to public education and the duty of trustees to monitor the
management of endowment lands.
LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE REPORT:ISBA President Dallas Clinger reported on the NSBA’s Leadership
Conference held in Washington D. C. in February, 2011 and attended by
he and Ms. Echeverria. Mr. Clinger would like to see if the Association
could budget for more officers to go to the Leadership Conference
because it was a very informative event. They would like to bring
a speaker from the Conference, Jamie Vollmer, to the ISBA Annual
Convention this year, but price will certainly be a factor so they are
hoping to partner with another group to share his fee.
REGION REPORTS:The ISBA Region Chairs provided reports on the happenings, events and
responses to legislation in their individual regions.
ISBA offers a multitude of training opportunities to help your school board and district leadership teams
in your roles as education leaders.
BOARD TRAININGDelivered to your District
• School Board Governance
• Leadership for Student Achievement
• Education Law
• Human Resources / Personnel
• School Finance & Board’s Oversight Role
• Teamwork-Team Building
• Negotiations / Interest Based Bargaining
• Strategic Planning and Goal Setting
• Parliamentary Procedure
• Customized Training to Suit Your Needs
Training is offered on the following
ISBA Office: (866) 799-4722
Contact one of ISBA’s Board Trainers for more details:
Liz Killpack: (208) 589-4037Email: Liz@idsba.org
Donagene Turnbow: (208) 659-7343Email: Donagene_Turnbow@idsba.org
Dr. Andrew Meyer: (208) 521-2232Email: Drew@idsba.org
26 SLATE • APRIL 2011
Does your board rely upon you to be the unofficial policy overseer?
The role of most board clerks is to (1) research and gather resources
regarding specific policy issues; (2) assist with drafting of proposed
policy language; (3) prepare proposed policies for board consideration;
( 4) prepare and distribute policy proposals prior to board meetings; (5)
attend board meetings and record in minutes the actions taken on the
policy; ( 6) process adopted policy and distribute to all affected by it.
What is policy? Board policy is the actions and decisions of a school
board that set general goals and specific objectives, and establish
parameters for the operation of a school district. Board policy tells: what
is wanted, why, how much, and who accepts the delegated oversight
responsibility. The school board must adopt policy before it can be put
into effect.
Take a quick assessment of your policy manual. The following
questions are designed to help you determine whether or not your policy
manual needs to be updated or revised. “No” answers indicate areas
where work may need to be done.
THE ROLE OF THE
BOARD CLERK
1Does every board member,
administrative team member, and
district school have an updated copy of the
policy manual?
2Are policies coded with a
comprehensive and logically organized
coding system?
3Does the manual include an index
and table of contents for quick
location of desired policies? Do titles
reflect contents?
4Does the manual contain only
board policies, with administrative
regulations or procedures kept in a
separate binder?
5Are policies easy to understand? Do
you use a standard style and format?
6Are your policies cross-referenced to
related policies in the manual?
7Are policies clearly written and
positive in tone?
8 Are policies written in gender-neutral
language?
9 Is your manual free of contradictory or
ambiguous statements?
10 Do policies reflect the board’s
beliefs and expectations, and the
board’s concern for students, teaching and
the learning process?
11Do each of your policies
adequately cover the important
concerns and points related to the topic?
12Does the manual contain policies
addressing board governance and
operations?
13Do policies conform to legal
requirements?
14Do policies exist for topics
required by law/regulation?
15Are legal references cited on
appropriate policies?
16Have most major policies been
adopted, revised or reaffirmed
within the past five years?
17 Are student and staff handbooks
consistent with board policy?
18 Does the board carefully review
a proposed policy prior to its
adoption or revision?
19Can you tell on what date a policy
was adopted or revised?
20Are new board members and
administrative staff instructed
on how to use the manual?
The ISBA Policy Update Service provides information about changes
in laws and regulations, court decisions, liability issues and educational
topics; legally reviewed policies reflecting current requirements and
needs; and sample policies when applicable.
If you have questions regarding the policy services provided by ISBA,
please contact Jessica Harrison at the ISBA Office.
Portions of this article courtesy of the Pennsylvania School Boards
Association.
BOARD POLICY:
APRIL 2011 • SLATE 27
As Idaho Legislators return to their communities
following sine die adjournment of the 2011
session, there is no doubt each of them would
list education as one of the major issues they
had to consider. The budget and education
dominated media coverage of the Legislature.
The good news is that ISBA was recognized
as the “Go To” stakeholder in education
negotiations and deliberations by legislative
leaders, state elected officials, and the media.
So it seems an opportune time to review some
media “helpful hints” for ISBA board members.
The ISBA Executive Board has always been
committed to thoroughly examining every
side of upcoming issues and getting input
from members. Before making decisions, the
Executive Board asks questions and researches
answers to get as clear a picture of the issue
as possible in order to be able to fully explain
the rationale for the decision. Once the Board
makes a decision it is crucial to move forward
with implementation with broad board member
backing. The Association’s official position will
be conveyed to the public and the media by the
Board-designated spokesmen.
Often the media will seek additional reaction
to the Board’s action. As an association, we
understand and recognize that all members
have their own opinions regarding an issue and
OPPORTUNITY OR TRAP?Media Relations: by Shoni Pegram
by Liz Killpack
ISBA Communications Coordinator
ISBA Board Trainer
it is certainly a member’s prerogative to share
those with the media, so long as it is made
clear that one is speaking individually, and not
for the Association.
Some things to contemplate when talking
with the media:
1. Reporters are generally looking for
controversy over substance of an issue.
Can they get a headline or flashy sound
bite? Craft your answers to give facts and
substance.
2. Is your criticism or condemnation of a Board
decision useful in the long run and will it
contribute to the good of the education
community?
3. Can your comments be misinterpreted as
representing the official position of the ISBA
or your local Board?
4. Do you have an established relationship
with the reporter that gives you a comfort
level that your comments will be reported
accurately and fairly?
5. Do you have enough information to respond
to the media inquiry? Don’t hesitate to do
some research before granting an interview.
Don’t hesitate to answer that you will get
back to the reporter on a question.
Some additional thoughts regarding the
media in your own community: Be proactive
about contacting your local newspaper, television
and radio stations on positive activities in your
district. This prior communication can prove
helpful when difficult issues are discussed
and rather than creating their own story, the
reporter, with whom you have a relationship,
may come to you for information and insight.
Offer to be the ‘education expert’ on issues
related to schools and education so you are the
“Go To” source for a comment, or at least to
discuss a story that will assist a reporter ask
the right questions.
The members of ISBA have created an
association that is the leading public education
stakeholder in the State of Idaho. As elected
officials in your own right, you have worked
hard to earn this recognition. Continuing to pay
some attention to honing your media relations
skill will insure you are maintaining ISBA’s
credibility and preeminent role in Idaho. Please
contact our office anytime as we are anxious to
assist your efforts.
The IASBO Business Official of the Year is a peer recognition program
for outstanding service, innovative plan design and implementation, or
other exemplary business practices within school business management.
Nominations will be accepted from IASBO Active or Honorary Members,
immediate supervisors and local boards of education.
Recipient will receive:
• Paid registration to the IASBO Conference and related
travel expenses for member and guest.
• Recognition in news and trade media
• An engraved plaque
For more details and to nominate your school business official, visit the Award page on the IASBO website at http://www.idahoasbo.org/pdfs/iboy.pdf
Idaho Association of School Business Officials
Business Official of the Year Award
Deadline is May 23!
According to State statutes, a proposal to redefine and change Trustee
Zones shall be initiated by the Board of Trustees at the first meeting
following the report of the decennial census. The Census Bureau, on
March 10, 2011, provided key demographic data to states allowing state
governments to redraw various district boundaries. Each School District is
required to present to the State Board of Education within 120 days (July 8,
2011), following the release of the decennial census data, a proposal for a
change, equalizing the population in each Trustee Zone, or proof that the
current zones are equal.
The Quadrant Team is pleased to provide a two-phased approach to
assist School Districts in complying with updating Trustee Zone boundary
requirements.
PHASE 1Once authorized by an individual School District, the Quadrant Team
prepares a "2010 Census, School District Trustee Zone Status" map. This
map covers the individual Trustee Zones and the entire District. The map
shows roads, water bodies, in addition to the individual census blocks
with block population. The map also includes a population tabulation table
containing Census population data for each current Trustee Zone. This map
is provided in both an electronic (pdf) and a printed paper copy.
If the population within each Trustee Zone differs less than 10-percent
from all other Trustee Zones in the District, the District is in compliance
with the requirements and no more work should be necessary. The School
District simply submits this Phase 1 packet to the State Department of
Education for review and eventual approval by the State Board of Education.
If any Trustee Zone populations differ by more than 10-percent, then a
second step, Phase 2, becomes necessary.
PHASE 2Under Phase 2, the District uses the Phase 1 Zone Status map to define
the boundaries of the new Trustee Zones. A recommended first step for
the District is to identify the location of each Trustee’s voting residence on
the map. Then, the District Trustees or their staff will mark up the Phase
1 Zone Status Map, indicating where Trustee Zone boundaries should be
moved to “equalize” the zones within the less than 10-percent variation
requirement. A hard copy of the map with the new Trustee Zone lines, as
revised by the School District, is shipped back to the Quadrant Team to
develop the final work products.
The Quadrant Team uses the District’s marked up map to draw
Quadrant Consulting and Millennium Science & Engineering are joining together as the
Quadrant Team with the Idaho School Boards Association. Our common goal is to assist
individual School Districts throughout the State with implementing possible changes to
Trustee Zone boundaries and legal descriptions.
Information needed from your School District to evaluate
Trustee Zone population compliance:
1. A current State Board of Education-approved School
District boundary legal description and map that includes
previously Board-approved annexations and excisions.
2. Legal descriptions and a map for each existing or adjusted
School District Trustee Zone that has been previously
approved by the State Board of Education.
SCHOOL DISTRICT TRUSTEE ZONES
28 SLATE • APRIL 2011
by Pete Lounsbury and Steve Sweet
Pete Lounsbury
General guidance based on prior
experience has shown that adjusted
Trustee Zone should follow census
block boundaries or the exterior
boundary of the School District,
whichever is applicable.
• Trustee Zone boundaries should
follow common identifiable lines,
i.e., section lines, subdivision
boundaries, road centerlines,
waterways, railroad lines, etc.
• Splitting of census blocks should
not be attempted, unless the
School District can provide an
alternate population count,
using a statistically meaningful
procedure that is acceptable to the
Idaho State Board of Education.
• Gerrymandering of Trustee Zone
boundaries should be avoided.
Trustee Zones should logically
make sense.
APRIL 2011 • SLATE 29
Steve Sweet
the District-revised Trustee Zone lines over the 2010 census data. A
proof drawing (pdf) is then emailed back to the District for review and
confirmation prior to finalizing. The proof drawing shows Trustee Zone lines
and confirms that the Trustee Zone populations comply with the less than
10-percent variation requirement. Upon acceptance of the proof drawing
by the Board of Trustees, legal descriptions are prepared for each Trustee
Zone, along with a final map for the District’s use. When this information
is returned to the District, the new District map and legal descriptions are
submitted to the Department of Education for eventual approval by the
Board of Education.
With the ease of use afforded by the Internet today, updating Trustee
Zones has become much simpler than in previous decades. Districts will
find that with the tools and process developed by the Quadrant Team this
task has become streamlined and affordable.
Quadrant Consulting, Inc. (QCI) is an employee-owned civil engineering and
land-surveying firm with a staff of nine professionals serving the Northwest
from Boise, Idaho. Credentials within the firm include five professional
engineers, a licensed land surveyor, a construction manager, and two
engineering and surveying technicians. QCI’s expertise includes general
civil design, hydrologic/hydraulic engineering, transportation engineering,
construction management, legal descriptions, boundary surveying,
topographic surveying and GPS surveying. The firm maintains a record
of outstanding performance in both civil engineering and surveying. As a
company, QCI has established a reputation for skillful, innovative, and cost-
effective service. As individuals, the employees strive to extend a personal
touch to each client’s project.
Millennium Science and Engineering, Inc. (MSE) is a premier, employee-
owned, multi-disciplinary environmental consulting firm dedicated to
providing superior professional services to governmental and industrial
clients nationally and internationally. MSE prides itself on being a responsive
mid-size firm that provides exceptional client service and customer
satisfaction. MSE’s services incorporate all the major environmental science
and engineering disciplines including geographic information systems, site
assessment and remediation design; water and wastewater engineering
design, air permitting and engineering design; greenhouse gas consulting;
watershed science, hydrology and natural resources, environmental
management (including strategic consulting); environmental compliance;
legal/litigation support; and international development.
30 SLATE • APRIL 2011
IDAHO DAIRY COUNCILA non-profit nutrition education organization providing science based materials to health care providers, schools and consumers throughout the state of Idaho.
Crystal Wilson (208) 327-7050cjwilson@idahodairycouncil.orgwww.idahodairycouncil.org
MORETON & COMPANYMoreton & Company provides property and liability insurance as well as risk management services to member districts through the ISBA endorsed insurance plan. Most recently, Moreton & Company launched a group auto and homeowner insurance program that is available to district employees as well as school board trustees.
Allan Ranstrom (208) 321-9300allan@moreton.comwww.moreton.com
ZIONS BANKA leader in financing school district projects at lowest overall cost. Since 1994 Zions has assisted Idaho districts in financing over 60 projects totaling over $200 million.
Cameron Arial (208) 344-9522cameron.arial@zionsbank.comwww.zionsbank.com
HUMMEL ARCHITECTS PLLCEstablished in Boise in 1896, Hummel Architects PLLC is a general practice architectural firm whose history touches nearly every Idaho community. Over the decades Hummel has built a solid reputation on the design of educational, institutional, civic, industrial, governmental, retail, office, and corporate structures.
Jenifer Huff (208) 343-7523jhuff@hummelarch.comwww.hummelarch.com
LARSONALLENSame high-quality professionals. Same commitment to Idaho schools and those who make them successful. Brand new name. LeMaster Daniels is now LarsonAllen CPAs, Consultants, and Advisors.
Jimmy Lin (208) 658-8200jlin@larsonallen.comwww.larsonallen.com
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANYThe Bank of New York Mellon is the world’s leading provider of corporate trust and agency services. We have a long tradition of collaborating with clients across the full range of debt instruments to provide customized solutions to meet client-specific needs. A recognized leader in the municipal debt markets, we are committed to providing municipal finance solutions to the public finance sector throughout idaho.
Michael A. Jones (206) 336-1616michael.a.jones@bnymellon.comwww.bnymellon.com
BUSINESS PARTNER
DIAMONDISBA
BUSINESS PARTNER
PLATINUMISBA
BUSINESS PARTNER
GOLDISBA
BUSINESS PARTNER
BRONZEISBA
BUSINESS PARTNER
SILVERISBA
DIAMOND Business Partners
ISBA’s Business Partners & Affiliates offer a variety of services and products that can assist Idaho’s public schools in cutting costs and finding cost-effective options.
BUSINESS PARTNER LOGOSLook for these logos in
SLATE articles &
advertisements:
Our Valued ISBA
Business PartnersFor more information regarding these Business Partners, or to become an ISBA Business Partner, please contact Misty Jones at the ISBA Office.
Phone: (208) 854-1476 Toll-Free: (866) 799-4722 Fax: (208) 854-1480Web: www.idsba.orgEmail: misty@idsba.org
SILVER Business Partners
BRONZE Business Partners
SEATTLE-NORTHWEST SECURITIES CORPORATIONSNW is an investment bank and broker-dealer specializing in tax-exempt bond underwriting and sales. SNW provides financing solutions custom tailored to their clients’ capital financial needs. With a Boise-based office, no other firm can match their experience and knowledge related to the political, economic, and financial issues impacting Idaho school district bond financing.
Eric Heringer (208) 344-8577eheringer@snwsc.comwww.seattlenorthwest.com
TIMECLOCK PLUSTimeClock Plus accurately tracks employee time and attendance which greatly assists in maintaining compliance and offers your district huge savings of your time and money.
Carol Barton (800) 749-8463sales@timeclockplus.comtimeclockplus.com
INTERMOUNTAIN TECHNOLOGY GROUPPutting client needs first, ITG has been providing technical support to businesses for over 25 years. We offer a broad range of hardware, software and client focused computer technology services.
Kizmet Beasley, Abigail Staley (208) 319-2756kizmet.beasley@gocorptech.comabigail.staley@gocorptech.comwww.gocorptech.com
QUADRANT CONSULTINGQuadrant Consulting has teamed with the Idaho School Boards Association to assist individual school districts throughout the state with possible changes to trustee zone boundaries and legal descriptions due to the release of new census data.
Steve Sweet (208) 342-0091steve@quadrant.ccwww.quadrant.cc
MORETON & COMPANY
BOARDBOOK
NWCRG
SOLVERAS PAYMENT SOLUTIONS
APPLITRACK (BY GENERAL ASP)
Our Valued ISBA
Business Affiliates
Please contact Misty Jones at the ISBA Office for more information.
Phone: (208) 854-1476 Toll-Free: (866) 799-4722 Fax: (208) 854-1480Web: www.idsba.orgEmail: misty@idsba.org
Contact these Business Affiliates to find out how they can assist your school district!
ISBA INSURANCE PROGRAM
Moreton & Company provides property and liability insurance to member school districts through the ISBA Insurance Program. Since the Program’s inception, school districts have received over $4.6 million in dividends from the Program. Moreton & Company also offers a Home & Auto Insurance Program. School employees and school board members can participate through their local school district. This Program offers a great opportunity to participate in group insurance coverage.
Allan Ranstromallan@moreton.com(800) 341-6789
TELECOM & UTILITY COST RECOVERY PROGRAM
If you were being overbilled, wouldn’t you want to know? ISBA has joined forces with Northwest Capital Recovery Group, a Pacific Northwest consortium since 1994, to offer our members a valued program that analyzes utility and telecom bills for overbilling of services. NWCRG specializes in recovering overcharges for clients in the areas of telecommunications, electricity, natural gas, garbage and water/sewer/storm.
Steve Rhea steverhea@comcast.net (866) 545-0976
APPLICANT TRACKING & RECRUITING SOFTWARE
Finding the perfect teacher for your school isn’t always easy. AppliTrack is an affordable online solution that revitalizes the teacher selection process. AppliTrack takes the work out of collecting applications, checking references, and everything in between, so you can focus on hiring the best people.
Use a next generation tool to find teachers who will inspire the next generation of leaders. Choose your future with AppliTrack.
Dr. Fred Schroederfred@generalasp.com(866) 667-1277
CHECK RECOVERY SERVICE
School districts are facing difficult times and are experiencing an increase in the number and frequency of NSF checks. Collection of these items can be time consuming, difficult and embarrassing to both parents and staff.
Solveras returns lost funds to the district by electronically recovering bad checks and direct depositing those recovered funds to your district’s bank account on a weekly basis. Best of all, the service is FREE to the school district, FRIENDLY to the check writer, and recovers your funds FAST.
If you are interested in saving your district staff time and easily recouping funds from insufficient fund checks, contact Solveras Payment Solutions!
Rodger Regelerodger.wa@comcast.net(888) 726-0015
SOFTWARE FOR ORGANIZING MEETING MATERIAL
BoardBook is a web-based software application that streamlines the preparation, distribution and publishing of agenda packets. BoardBook builds a searchable archive of meeting packets and approved minutes. It opens the door to electronically distributing the agenda to the board, posting selected materials online, and conducting paperless meetings.
BoardBook can assist your district to:
» Save on costs for printing and copying.
» Reduce staff time required for preparation and distribution of agenda and supporting documents.
» Improve timeliness and availability of board meeting materials to school board members.
Mike Eldermike.elder@boardbook.org(888) 587-2665 Ext. 6413
APRIL 2011 • SLATE 31
IDAHO SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATIONP.O. BOX 9797 • BOISE, ID 83707-4797PH: (208) 854-1476 • FAX: (208) 854-1480
Non-Profit OrgU.S. Postage
PAIDBoise, ID
Permit No. 136
BUSINESS PARTNER
DIAMONDISBA
top related