CASBO School Business Summer 2013

schoolbusiness california

California Association of School Business Officials

Summer 2013

KEEPING SCHOOLS SAFE Take steps to create a culture of preparedness

Breaking news School-based crises call for communication expertise

Raising talent How to find, train, keep young professionals

Check Out Our Vendors

Reevaluate your check list. Go to www.tcpn.org and sign up today.

TCPN-0168_CA ASBO - Schools - Summer Insertion.indd 1

2 | California School Business

5/10/13 10:23 AM

Will your Student Information System be ready for Common Core?

Aeries is prepared, and has features that can scale to your Common Core needs: • • • • • •

K-12 Standards and Rubric-Based Gradebook Standards-Based Report Cards Fully Integrated Assessment System Integrated with Common Core Item Banks Effective Parent and Student Communication Tools Deep Dive Data Analysis and Graphing Capabilities

www.aeries.com sales@aeries.com

(888)487-7555 Summer 2013 | 3

4 | California School Business

contents

Volume 78 Number 2 Summer 2013

departments

9

Checking in The business of schools doesn’t take the summer off Molly McGee Hewitt

13

Bottom line CASBO’s ‘Modern Family’ Rich Buse

15

In focus CASBO member profile: Carl Fong

17

46

In focus CASBO associate member profile: Nancy LaCasse

49

Out & about Photos from CASBO events

50

Career Rx Being good at what you do is not enough to succeed!

54

Last words

cover story

32

Keeping schools safe Take steps to create a culture of preparedness Linda A. Estep

interview

19

Book club Masters of Disaster: The Ten Commandments of Damage Control

15

24

40

Edtech expert discusses the revolution in computing Dr. Gary Stager sees computers as intellectual labs, vehicles for self-expression Julie Phillips Randles

features

24

Breaking news School-based crises call for communication expertise Julie Phillips Randles

40

Raising talent How to find, train, keep young professionals Lisa Maria Boyles

Summer 2013 | 5

ABOUT CASBO The California Association of School Business Officials is the premier resource for professional development and business best practices for California’s school business leaders. CASBO is dedicated to promoting

publisher

excellence and professionalism in all aspects of school

editor in chief

business. Founded in 1928, CASBO serves more

features editor

than 3,000 members by providing certifications and

contributors

training, promoting business best practices and

Molly McGee Hewitt Tatia Davenport Julie Phillips Randles Lisa Maria Boyles Linda A. Estep

creating opportunities for professional collaboration.

CASBO members represent every facet of school business management and operations. The association

design/layout

Sharon Adlis

advertising art

Lori Mattas

offers public school leaders an entire career’s worth of growth opportunities.

casbo officers president

CASBO MISSION

president-elect

Vincent Christakos Hemet Unified School District

vice president

Leeann Errotabere Clovis Unified School District

immediate past president

Michael Johnston Clovis Unified School District

As the recognized authority in California school business, CASBO is a member-driven association that promotes ethical values; develops exceptional leaders; advocates for, and supports the needs of members; and sets the standard for excellence

Rich Buse Pajaro Valley Unified School District

through top-quality professional development and mentorship, meaningful collaboration and communication and unparalleled innovation.

advertising sales manager

CASBO BY DESIGN For the past 15 years, CASBO has been dedicated

CiCi Trino Association Outsource Services, Inc. 115 Spring Water Way Folsom, CA 95630 916.990.9999

to the organizational planning discipline as a method for guiding the association into a successful future.

In 2012, the association embarked on its fourth such plan, CASBO by Design. This living, breathing document will guide the association for the next five years. The process CASBO uses for long-term planning is grassroots in nature, invigorating in procedure and motivating in outcome.

CASBO has long been committed to organizational planning because the approach has consistently helped the association envision its future and determine the clear steps to get there. The road

www.casbo.org

map that strategic planning provides has allowed CASBO to remain focused on its unique mission, goals and objectives, and to respond effectively to a continually changing environment.

For more information on CASBO by Design, visit www.casbo.org, click on “About Us” and then select “CASBO by Design” from the drop-down menu.

California School Business (ISSN# 1935-0716) is published quarterly by the California Association of School Business Officials, 1001 K Street, 5th Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814. (916) 447-3783. Periodicals postage paid at Sacramento and at additional mailing office. Send address changes to the CASBO membership department at 1001 K Street, 5th Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814.

Articles published in California School Business are edited for style, content and space prior to publication. Views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent CASBO policies or positions. Endorsement by CASBO of products and services advertised in California School Business is not implied or expressed.

Copyright 2013 CASBO. All rights reserved. The contents of the publication may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of the publisher.

Published June 2013

6 | California School Business

Student Data Management Technologies to Support Student Success Powerful

As a California-based company, the principals of Edupoint have worked with California schools for over 30 years.

Our Synergy® Education Platform begins with the strongest student information system in K-12, leverages collaborative tools to improve communication, and delivers actionable information for instructional decisions at all levels – from the classroom to the principal’s office, to the school board room.

Enterprise Level, Native Web Synergy® Student Information System (SIS) TeacherVUE™ Gradebook and Instructional Management LessonVUE™ Curriculum Management ParentVUE™ and StudentVUE™ Interactive Web Portals AdminVUE™ Mobile Applications Synergy® Special Education Comprehensive Special Education / IEP Management Certified CALPADS State Reporting

Operate with Insight with Edupoint

Visit www.Edupoint.com or call 800-338-7646 to schedule an on-site demonstration.

Welcoming 145 New California Schools to the Edupoint Family This Year Summer 2013 | 7

8 | California School Business

checkingin

The business of schools doesn’t take the summer off As I write this column, the soundtrack from the famous opera “Porgy and Bess” is playing in my mind.

“Summertime and the livin’ is easy” keeps floating through my consciousness. For those of us in school business, the line should be, “Summertime and the living is busy!” Our profession works 365 days a year, and at times 24/7. Whether schools are open or closed for students, our work continues!

Amazingly, those folks who do not work during the summer often fail to realize what happens in their absence.

M&O and facilities folks work in overdrive trying to paint, repair, modernize or maintain school sites and district offices. The human resources department is busy trying to fill positions and place staff to meet expected needs.

The finance staff is closing one budget cycle, beginning another and dealing with the regular finances of the district. Purchasing is securing new contracts, equipment and supplies. Technology is taking inventory, securing new equipment and trying to keep up with changes and improvements. Transportation is still transporting students to special programs, while simultaneously planning new routes, doing maintenance and planning. Food services is trying to figure out how to stay afloat with new guidelines and directives, and planning for the next year. Payroll and risk management leaders continue to do their jobs and address the issues of the previous year, as well as the next one. CBOs are trying to balance it all and play a key role in the administration of the district.

I love our CASBO members. They continually amaze me with their dedication, passion and professionalism.

Despite the incredible challenges of the last five years – they persevere. They also often do it with little fanfare.

They are doers, they understand deadlines, they are consistent, and without them schools could not educate our children. They find ways, in spite of incredible constraints and challenges, to get the job done. Amazing!

Whether schools are open or closed for students, our work continues!

The challenge for our professionals is not in getting the job done; the challenge is in the recognition of the jobs accomplished and the men and women who make things happen. Too often, school business personnel are seen as back-up and behind-the-scenes helpers – not as the professionals that they are. Despite the fact that they maintain budgets greater than many corporations, supervise more personnel than the average executive or exceed the duties of a typical business leader, they often do not get the respect or recognition due them.

While classified employees of districts have always had to fight for acknowledgement, school business professionals, regardless of their education, credentials, training, expertise or responsibilities continue to fight for their place on the administrative team. Leadership is not granted by a title alone – it is granted by exhibiting leadership on a daily basis.

Leadership training and development are a priority for CASBO in the upcoming year. Working with our member leaders, we will begin implementation of our CASBO by Design action plans which include a strong emphasis on leadership, professional development and enhancing the image of our members and the profession.

Thank you for your amazing work and continuing dedication to CASBO. Together, we continue to change the landscape of the profession.

Molly McGee Hewitt Executive Director

Summer 2013 | 9

“

Introducing

Personnel Service Request (PSR) by

Smartetools Call it what you will — “PTR”, “stat doc”, “yellow form” — the PSR by Smartetools will drastically reduce the time it takes to communicate, approve and process personnel changes.  

Eliminate paper forms

  

Account based routing

The Smart Choice for the Business of Education

For more information: 1-866-Smarte-1 sales@smartetools.com www.smartetools.com

10 | California School Business



Customized electronic forms to match your existing forms Electronic signatures Automated email reminders Cloud based service

As a result of providing dedicated service to public schools throughout California for over thirty years, the SISC name is one public school district administrators know they can trust. We feature: • Customized plans and services • A wide range of options • A long track record of stable and affordable rates We currently cover: • Over 400 Public Entities • Over $1 Billion in Annual Payroll • Over $11 Billion in Total Insured Value • Over 225,000 member lives We offer: • Workers’ Compensation • Property and Liability • Health Benefits • Risk Management Services • GASB 45 and Post-Employment Benefit Solutions Please contact Nick G. Kouklis, CEO by calling 800-972-1727 for more information A Joint Powers Authority administered by the Kern County Superintendent of Schools Office Christine Lizardi Frazier, Superintendent

Are you Maximizing Proposition 30’s Impact?

Proposition 30 has brought much needed relief to California schools, adding more than $5 billion of estimated new revenue for K-14 education.

That’s great, but it’s only a start.

With local districts facing budget pressures for years to come, Proposition 30 has bought you time to strategically plan the future. Now is your opportunity to review your options and optimize your staffing.

Keenan can help you get the most out of this opportunity. For over 27 years we have been helping schools to manage costs and staffing through early retirement incentives. Keenan’s Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan (SERP) provides flexibility and saves districts money and time.

Only Keenan’s SERP plan includes a superior level of personalized customer service to potential retirees.

Keenan offers a no-cost, no-obligation analysis to demonstrate how SERP can help you achieve your budget objectives and revitalize your staff.

License No. 0451271

Innovative Solutions. Enduring Principles.

www.keenan.com

Summer 2013 | 11

Employer Services, including: Section 125 Plans Health Care Reform Guidance Flexible Spending Account(s) 403(b) Administration Services Health Savings Account Health Reimbursement Arrangement Dependent Verification Reviews Disability Income Insurance Accident Only Insurance Cancer Insurance Life Insurance Critical Illness Insurance Annuities

Our Family, Dedicated to Yours.

American Fidelity Assurance Company’s history is deeply rooted in the education community. From Section 125 Plans to Disability Income Insurance, we have more than 50 years of experience providing benefits and services developed specifically for school districts and its employees.

Raelene Walker, Business Development Specialist San Marcos CA Branch Office 1 Civic Center Drive, Suite 360 San Marcos, CA 92069

866-523-1857 ext. 216

www.americanfidelity.com SB-25366-0312

12 | California School Business

Above insurance products may contain limitations, exclusions and waiting periods. Not all products may be available in all states or eligible for Section 125, plus some products may be inappropriate for Medicaid coverage.

bottomline

casbo’s

‘Modern Family’

By Rich Buse CASBO President

From the moment I became involved in casbo many years ago, I developed a strong bond with the organization. The members,

the networking, the professional

development, the legislative advocacy work, the sections, the professional councils and the annual conference became a part of my professional life.

with educational finance, we are making progress. casbo’s efforts to play a

vital role in school finance have been sig-

nificant. We are grateful to our staff and Legislative Committee for their roles on

these issues. Trying to do what is best for the children of California has, and always will be, our overriding priority.

Someone recently told me that they

My association colleagues became my

questioned the need for casbo in their

I was honored to become your new

to belong to another organization that

casbo family.

president this spring, and as I shared at the conference, I view casbo like a fam-

ily. As a family, we have different titles,

jobs, locations, expectations, political ideas and philosophies. casbo has the

capacity to welcome the variety and di-

versity of our members, and to include everyone in our efforts. As a longtime member, I have witnessed firsthand the

career. As they put it, they could choose supported only their discipline. It was

cheaper and provided information exclusively in their profession. While I support

As a family, we have different titles, jobs, locations, expectations, political ideas and philosophies.

changes and progress that casbo has

other educational organizations and their

characters that face the challenges of

Like families, we sometimes disagree

for school business. It is the one place in

name implies, there are all sorts of ways

made and continues to make.

and different segments of the family have

different interests and priorities. Since extended families are joined together by their lineage or relationships, the casbo

family is connected by our work in school business. We are all positively dependent

on each other to accomplish the work

missions, casbo is the go-to organization

California where all the major players in

education come together. No matter how well you know your area of expertise, in education, you have to be able to work effectively with your colleagues in all disciplines. casbo makes that happen!

As I look at the upcoming year, I am

in our school districts. In the past five

excited and gratified about the opportu-

great changes and the fabric that holds

services, online learning, certifications,

years, the $20 billion in cuts have caused our family together has been stretched.

We have had to say goodbye to trusted friends, taken on new responsibilities and have worked to maintain our professionalism.

In families, tough times bring out the

best in us. We pull together, support each

other and look forward to better times!

While we are not yet out of the woods

nities before us. Our new membership website upgrade, Camp casbo and the

implementation of casbo by Design are awesome! I am thrilled by the work of our

member leaders at every level. casbo is

modern life with humor. As the show’s that we become family. The makeup of

families may evolve, but the connections

endure. For good or bad, in prosperity or

in lean times, we do not lose our family connection. casbo has weathered the

educational storm of the last few years and our family is getting larger, more

diverse and even stronger. The modern casbo retains the traditions of the past and looks to the future with excitement.

Thank you for your support and for

the opportunity to serve casbo as your president.

a team organization, and the entire team

p.s. Don’t miss the 2014 casbo Annual

A current television show called

Expo in Sacramento April 3-5, 2014! It

works in concert.

“Modern Family” is a big hit. The show portrays a family made up of unique

Conference & California School Business promises to be the best casbo family re-

union and educational opportunity ever!

Summer 2013 | 13

Horace Mann has a menu...

...savings and benefits come standard with each meal Attend one of our interactive workshops to gain knowledge and share best practices on: flexible benefit plan services, convenient payroll payment options, employee retirement and financial success strategies, teacher recognition programs, supporting classroom needs and much more. Give us 20 minutes. We’ll make your job easier.

To learn more, find your local agent at horacemann.com.

14 | California School Business

infocus

Dr. Carl Fong

He brings humor, passion to his IT career

Carl Fong refers to “Star Trek,” his father’s business philosophy and his former job as a “tape monkey” when he describes his career in school business. As eclectic as these references are, they are also an indication of the passion and humor Fong brings to his job.

Fong, executive director for information technology at the Orange County Department of Education, has been with the organization for 28 years. He’s spent his entire school business career with OCDE because of the people and the positive culture of the organization. “It’s an excellent place to work,” Fong explained. “They want leadership and vision in technology to serve the students, teachers, principals, support staff and administrators.”

Now about those colorful references: Fong uses “Star Trek” as a point of reference for where technology stands today. He says all the high-tech devices from the show, except for the tractor beam – we still have to call the auto club – have been invented. Regarding his father’s philosophy, Fong said his grocery-store owner dad taught him that customer service is job No. 1. As for the “tape monkey,” that relates to Fong’s first tech job – loading reel-to-reel tape drives for Security Pacific Bank – a task which earned him a reputation for speed and accuracy.

Together, these influences have shaped how Fong does his job. “As technologists, we provide technical leadership and, to do that, we have to understand how technology impacts every school business discipline,” Fong explained. “I’m out asking questions and finding out what the customer wants and expects from the technology they use.” When working with districts and OCDE, Fong considers how he can best make technology work in three areas – business, instruction and technology.

“It’s like a Vulcan mind meld.”

A 15-year member of CASBO, Fong is currently on the strategic planning team, and was active on the “IT Dream Team” in 2010 where he donated time and expertise to upgrade the technology at CASBO’s headquarters. He’s the association’s go-to tech assistance guy at CASBO events, where he’s quick to answer questions and lend a spare charger.

Fong is also a dedicated member of the California Education Technology Professionals Association (CETPA) and the California County Superintendents Educational Services Association (CCSESA) Technology and Telecommunications Steering Committee (TTSC), and has held leadership positions with both groups. His education includes a doctorate and master’s degree in business administration, as well as a host of IT certifications from CETPA and the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA).

Fong is clear on what he gets out of CASBO membership. “You have the technology skills; you need to bring the leadership skills. That’s what CASBO provides.”

Photography by Hope Harris

Summer 2013 | 15

Choose a Guide who Knows California Education Finance.

Piper Jaffray is a leader in structuring and underwriting bonds for California school districts and community college districts. With the largest and most experienced team of dedicated K-14 education finance professionals in California, our team has more than 150 years of combined experience and service to the education industry.

•

General Obligation Bonds

•

Certificates of Participation

•

Mello-Roos/CFD Bonds

•

Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes

•

Interim Project Financing

•

Debt Refinancing/Restructuring

• GASB 45 Liability Funding

To begin your journey, contact us at 800 876-1854.

Piper Jaffray California Public Finance Investment Banking offices are located in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento and Orange County.

Since 1895. Member SIPC and NYSE. © 2012 Piper Jaffray & Co. 8/12 CM-12-1290 piperjaffray.com

16 | California School Business

infocus

Nancy LaCasse

She’s been dedicated to serving schools for three decades Dedicated. Loyal. These are the two words that perhaps best describe Nancy LaCasse, associate vice president of legislative services for School Services of California. For proof, one only needs to consider her 30-year career with School Services, and her 20-plus years as a CASBO member.

LaCasse joined School Services in 1983, five years after it was founded by Ken Hall. She was fresh out of college, and was one of only six people in the firm at the time. She recalls starting at the ground level, running errands and working her way up through the accounting office to assisting the director of superintendent searches.

LaCasse said she always wanted to work in politics. That desire was prompted by volunteer work on a presidential campaign she did as a teen, and due to the influence of her childhood next-door neighbors who were political consultants.

“The Capitol always fascinated me,” LaCasse explained. Five years into her career at School Services, LaCasse’s political aspirations were fulfilled when she began assisting the firm’s vice president with legislative clients. She continued to advance and gain experience, leading to her current role as associate VP of legislative services.

Today, LaCasse provides legislative and consulting services to the firm’s more than 1,000 clients, navigating the complex political climate in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., to make sure the voice of California’s school community is heard. “It’s very challenging to navigate between the political process and the practical operation of a school district, and helping districts to understand the process,” LaCasse said of her role. “Every issue is like solving a puzzle, but the most rewarding part is knowing that what I do every day has an impact on kids.”

Over the years, LaCasse has been at the forefront of major education reform legislation including bills to overhaul the state’s special education finance system, establish the CASBO school business official training program, create the K-12 High Speed Network, restructure the state’s school audit and appeal process and develop a statewide high school athletic coaching program. She is also the author of “Impacting the Legislative Process: A Practical Guide for School Agencies.”

LaCasse is a strong supporter of CASBO and has been an associate member since the early 1990s. As part of CASBO’s first strategic plan, School Services was retained to lobby for the organization. LaCasse represented CASBO in the Education Coalition during those years, and served as its chief lobbyist in 2004.

As a volunteer for CASBO, LaCasse has served on CASBO’s strategic planning teams and the Annual Conference Committee. She is also a past chair of the Associate Member Committee.

“Being an associate member of CASBO has allowed me to partner with the association to share my expertise in the field. It’s all about providing information, being connected and giving back,” LaCasse explained.

Photography by Hope Harris

Summer 2013 | 17

Public Education’s Point of Reference for Making Educated Decisions Since 1975 School Services of California, Inc., (SSC) is the leading provider of consulting, lobbying, and information services for K-14 educational agencies in California.

Since its inception in 1975, SSC has served nearly every educational agency in the state.  Management Consulting Services  Legislative Advocacy  Collective Bargaining and Factfinding Services  Executive Search and Recruitment  Training, Conferences, and Workshops  Books and Software  The Fiscal Report and Specialized Publications  The Community College Update and Community College Services We are truly “Public Education’s Point of Reference.”

18 | California School Business

1121 L Street, Suite 1060 Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 446-7517 Fax (916) 446-2011 www.sscal.com

interview

Edtech expert discusses the revolution in computing Dr. Gary Stager sees computers as intellectual labs, vehicles for self-expression

By Julie Phillips Randles

For the past three decades, Gary Stager has worked as an educator, keynote speaker, journalist and consultant in the educational technology field.

He is an expert in topics including addressing the needs of atrisk learners and school reform. The goal of his edtech career is

to help learners of all ages embrace the power of computers as intellectual laboratories and vehicles for self-expression.

Stager’s expertise in educational technology has allowed

him to lead professional development in the world’s first laptop

schools, design online graduate school programs, collaborate on

the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Media Lab’s Future of Learning Group and serve as a member of the One Laptop Per Child Foundation’s Learning Team.

As part of his doctoral research, Stager created a high-tech

alternative learning environment for incarcerated at-risk teens.

More recently, he acted as a teacher and mentor in some of Australia’s most troubled public schools.

Stager has been a visiting professor at Pepperdine Uni-

versity and a visiting scholar at the University of Melbourne’s Trinity College. He has also served as senior editor of District

Administration Magazine and is the founding editor of The Pulse: Education’s Place for Debate.

He is an associate of the Thornburg Center, a source of

presenters and staff developers in the field of emerging technologies, and is the executive director of The Constructivist

Consortium, a collaborative of six publishing companies com-

mitted to children, creativity and constructivist learning. His innovative summer educator institute, Constructing Modern Knowledge, is now in its sixth year.

Summer 2013 | 19

Dr. Gary Stager

Edtech expert discusses the revolution in computing

In 1999, Converge Magazine called Stager a “shaper of our

Stager: I once told another publication that my heroes were

Association recognized Stager as one of the “20 Leaders to

I’d like to have dinner at Bill Clinton’s house with 87-year-

future and inventor of our destiny.” The National School Boards

Thomas Edison, Miles Davis, Evel Knieval and Abbie Hoffman.

Watch” in 2007. The June 2010 issue of Tech & Learning Magazine

old drummer Roy Haynes, Congressman John Lewis and Gloria

scape of edtech through innovation and leadership.” California

smart people who are experts at what they do. Half of American

called him “one of today’s leaders who are changing the landComputer-Using Educators (cue) presented Stager with the 2012 Technology in Learning Leadership Award.

Stager was the new media producer for “The Brian Lynch/

Eddie Palmieri Project – Simpatíco,” the 2007 Grammy Award Winner for Best Latin Jazz Album of the Year. He is also a consul-

tant to school architecture firm Fielding Nair International and

Steinem. Nothing pleases me more than spending time with

musical history has been touched by the great Roy Haynes. I admire the courage, heroism and tenacity of John Lewis. I crave

an opportunity to thank him and other champions of liberty, like Gloria Steinem, for all they sacrificed to help our nation live up to its promise.

I have been so fortunate to work with or get to know many

director of s.t.e.m. at The Oaks School in Los Angeles.

of the greatest educators of the past 50 years, including: Sey-

tions, and writes two blogs, “Stager-to-Go” and “Constructing

Alfie Kohn, Dennis Littky and Alan Kay. Much of what I know

He is a frequent columnist for education-related publica-

Modern Knowledge.” His new book is, “Invent to Learn – Making, Tinkering and Engineering in the Classroom.”

Stager has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from

William Paterson University of New Jersey and a Ph.D. in science

mour Papert, Jonathan Kozol, Deborah Meier, Herbert Kohl,

about learning comes from hanging out with world-class jazz musicians.

and mathematics education from The University of Melbourne.

CSB: What is currently your favorite app or new tech item?

Stager: I don’t give much thought to apps. By definition, they are

responses to casbo’s inquiries.

term. There is nothing about learning that should be app-like.

Here are his perhaps controversial, and certainly passionate,

utilitarian in design and function. App is a simple, diminutive I use a handful of apps to perform uniform, predictable

CSB: What is the best advice you’ve ever received? From whom?

Stager: A great old trumpet teacher of mine, Dr. William Fielder

functions when I need a tiny bit of information. Software for

trumpet players and education leaders.

vehicle for self-expression.

said, “Never satisfied, only gratified.” This is sound advice for

learning needs to be open-ended, flexible and support creativity.

In the best case, a computer is an intellectual laboratory and a

CSB: What is the last book you read?

Stager: I recently re-read a lot of Piaget, Dewey, Froebel,

CSB: What will the classroom of the future look like? How can school

book, “Invent to Learn - Making, Tinkering and Engineering in

the future. In the future, schools will no longer enjoy the same

Malaguzzi, Levi-Strauss and Papert in preparation for my new the Classroom.” The two best books I’ve read about education in the past five years are “Making Learning Whole: How Seven Principles of Teaching Can Transform Education,” by David Perkins and “Changing Lives,” by Tricia Tunstall.

I shared my favorite books for school leaders in The Huff-

ington Post at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gary-stager/ wanna-be-a-school-reforme_b_765199.html

CSB: Name three people, living or dead, with whom you’d like to share a meal. Why?

20 | California School Business

district leaders prepare for that classroom?

Stager: I’m not a futurist, but I will make one prediction about monopoly on children’s time. I know I am correct because politicians say the exact opposite when they advocate longer

school days and years. That is just the last gasp of a dying bureaucracy.

School itself is a technology, and like all other technolo-

gies, has affordances and constraints. School leaders need to determine how and why young people and a teacher should be co-located in the same physical space when more parents work from home, and the Web allows for all sorts of information sharing.

Ironically, the activities that make school most viable in the

now prefer technology to test, track and monitor, rather than

collaborative projects, field trips – are often the first things cut

School leaders and policy-makers would be well-served by

future – band, choir, drama productions, science experiments,

liberate learners.

in order to double-down on information delivery and testing.

learning about how Costa Rica has spent the past 25 years revo-

CSB: How do American school districts compare to districts in other

constructionism and computers as creative tools.

countries in their use of technology?

lutionizing its educational system and economy by embracing

Stager: With the advent of the World Wide Web, our bad

CSB: What can school districts’ business offices learn from the private

to learn very little from abroad.

Stager: Not much. Perhaps schools can learn one lesson from the

education policies infect the world quickly. Regrettably, we seem

Computers may be used to grant agency to either the

system, teacher or learner. My efforts focus on empowering

the learner. Educational computing and progressive education

are American inventions placing the learner at the center of the

educational enterprise. We have exported our noblest ideas and

sector as far as innovative use of technology?

private sector in order to explain how 30 years after computers

entered classrooms, we still need to beg, bribe, threaten, coerce and cajole teachers into using one. Limited access, unimaginative

vision and low-expectations may explain why teachers are the last group of adults to use a computer.

Get the

BIG

Forecast

Enrollment Changes

Modify

Boundaries

Picture

Anticipate

Staffing Needs…

Good decisions require clarity.

DecisionInsite’s professional staff integrates enrollment analytics with interactive geographical data, allowing school district leaders to visualize and understand the total enrollment picture.

The result: better, data-driven decisions.

ENROLLMENT Ad 1-13 CSB Mag w/B.indd 1

IMPACT SPECIALISTS

Make Better

Decisions Call Us 877-204-1392 decisioninsite.com

2/12/13 3:07 PM

Summer 2013 | 21

Dr. Gary Stager

Edtech expert discusses the revolution in computing

The best way to ensure that teachers will use computers to

their potential is to create scenarios in which they see through the eyes and screens of their students what is possible.

CSB: You’ve said in your keynote addresses that “school should work with the tech of the day.” Can you explain what you mean by that?

Stager: Anything a child brings to school in their head, heart or backpack should be viewed as a gift. It’s incumbent upon

adults to find ways to embrace the world of the child to expand learning opportunities.

The pc changed the world and yet sadly, computers in

My craziest idea is to push for state legislation offering

generous tax exemptions for parents to purchase a personal

laptop computer for educational use (exceeding clear technical specifications). This will get schools out of the computer business, reduce the number of expensive employees making pur-

chasing decisions and give something of value to parents who

may be suspicious of school spending. The poorest children can

get laptops through mechanisms like the school lunch program and local foundations. This would also stimulate the California economy and lower computer prices.

education seem anything but personal. All of the virtues and

CSB: In his proposed budget, Gov. Jerry Brown has proposed changes

school investments in technology.

courses (not requiring simultaneous participation of students and

qualities of personal computing need to be the top priority of While we’re on the subject, let’s stop calling things “technol-

ogy.” Such semantics imply a false equivalency between pencils,

Pez dispensers, computers and a thermos. The revolution is really in computing, the conscious act of making things with computers. Too much of school computer use is passive.

CSB: You have expertise in working with at-risk learners. What are

some ways that technology can help these students, and by extension, that technology can be used to reduce the achievement gap?

Stager: First of all, if kids continue to make educational pro-

in law that would enable school districts to offer asynchronous online instructors). Do you see any pitfalls in the governor’s proposal, or do you think he is on the right track?

Stager: There is nothing inherently virtuous or evil about online courses (although good ones are awfully hard to find). When I

helped create online degree programs at Pepperdine University more than 15 years ago, the goal was to increase intimacy and

access to expertise. I’m concerned by the growth of Massive Open Online Courses (mooc s) . Nothing in education should ever be massive.

Like any use of technology in education, online courses

gress, we need the humility required to be willing to change

should be used to increase opportunities, not just cut costs.

nological experiences at-risk kids need are the exact same ones

advice with me. Sound educational decisions are never made

everything in shaping their learning environment. The techintended for our most gifted students.

CSB: Most school districts in California would love to have ad-

ditional district office and classroom-based technology, and with the implementation of Common Core standards in California, this will be

a necessity. Any tips on how they might fund technology updates or programs?

Stager: The Common Core is a solution in search of a problem

created extra-democratically without a single vote by an elected official. It will reduce access to computers by relegating them to

their weakest uses for test prep and testing. Schools will make hysterical “security” choices for those computers because of

testing that will impede student learning and expression. Such low-level use of computers raises the cost and distracts teachers from using computers to amplify human potential.

22 | California School Business

Decades ago, a very wise colleague shared other important on price. z z z

Julie Phillips Randles is a freelance writer based in Roseville, Calif.

Low prices, great services and a dedicated team ready to help!

At Office Depot®, we have everything to help your school perform at the highest level, including: • School and classroom supplies • Teaching guides and learning games • Common Core State Standard products • School furniture and technology • Copy and print services • Star Teacher Rewards Program • Recycling Rules! Program Premier Plus Member

CASBO

©2013 Office Depot, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

The Office Depot name and logo are the registered trademarks of The Office Club, Inc.

EDU_03a_0113_CABSO_AD

Smart busi ness. Smart school s.™

CLICK: business.officedepot.com/education | CALL: 888.2.OFFICE | COME BY: Visit a store near you!

Summer 2013 | 23

24 | California School Business

feature

Breaking news School-based crises call for communication expertise

By Julie Phillips Randles

It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter

full-blown crises – is key to a district’s

how crisis communication has changed

School districts will experience a

As one crisis communication expert

In today’s world of texting, tweet-

of when.

reputation.

in recent years.

crisis; it’s a sure thing. And in the case of

said in an online post, “By the time you

ing and constant connectivity, school

be updated with the caveat, “establish

the ark.”

about a crisis at the same time as parents

schools, the not-if-but-when adage could your district as a reliable news source

hear the thunder, it’s too late to build

Follow the advice from the crisis

before crisis strikes.”

communication experts casbo reached

tion of districts are of the same scope

way to having an unsinkable craft.

Not all crises headed in the direc-

or scale. While school shootings have grabbed the headlines recently, districts regularly face other crises – from an-

out to and your district will be well on its

THE CURRENT LANDSCAPE

nouncing school closures and layoffs to

When law enforcement apprehended

involved in questionable activities.

April, his capture was announced in a

media questions about staff who may be Properly responding to these events

– be they basic issues, small incidents or

the second Boston Marathon bomber in tweet. The medium used to announce the end of the search is an indication of

district officials are often finding out and other stakeholders. The imme-

diacy and volume of communication can pose a problem for districts as they

try to keep up and to provide accurate information.

The number of information outlets,

the speed of information transfer and the user-generated nature of communication has changed the crisis communication landscape. “Now people can get their

own information and share it in different

ways,” explained Christopher Lehane,

Summer 2013 | 25

Breaking news

political consultant, crisis communica-

rent. A plan written just a couple of years

of Disaster: The Ten Commandments of

Gingera, founder and principle of

Consultant Lehane has identified what

programs for k-12 districts, points to

crisis communication. Do no harm; take

tions expert and an author of “Masters

ago may not include current practices.

Damage Control.”

Hour-Zero, a provider of emergency

journalist, districts must rev up the speed

research that shows communication is

With everyone acting as a citizen

with which they communicate, explained

Stephen Nichols, public information

and community relations officer for the Folsom Cordova Unified School District.

“People can put a lot of information out quickly. Often, it’s misinformation, so

we have to go into crisis communication mode now within seconds.”

But accuracy cannot be sacrificed

in the name of speed. The information a

district puts out must be credible, factual and timely, said Nichols, president-elect

of the California School Public Relations

the No. 1 failing factor in an emergency.

“It can make or break the response, and

ABIDE BY THE PRINCIPLES he calls “three principles of survival” for a disciplined approach; preserve your credibility.

Lehane says the principles apply to

it can make or break the reputation of the

school districts, as well as to businesses

school district crisis officer and crisis

reality here is that the same principles

school district,” said Gingera, a former communication spokesperson.

or candidates running for election. “The apply whether you are Enron or the guy

Crisis communication starts long before a real crisis strikes at a school district.

“If they (districts) don’t communi-

in the cubicle that hit ‘reply all’ and said

ion, stakeholders will believe anything

While the stakes may be higher

something about his boss.”

Association.

cate appropriately and in a timely fash-

nications and legislative affairs at Fagen

they hear – whether it’s true or not. We

depending on the situation, the strate-

cornerstone of successful crisis plan-

Lehane calls the Hippocratic Oath of

Terilyn Finders, director of commu-

Friedman & Fulfrost, advises districts to become news sources; and to become that

trusted news source long before crisis

hits. “Tell the truth. Be the bearer of your

speak about communication being the ning,” Gingera explained.

Finders, a former school board

own bad news. Disseminate information

member, agrees that districts should

to employees before the media does,”

outlets long before a crisis, and sug-

in a timely manner. Provide information Finders added.

HAVE A PLAN

Crisis communication starts long before

a real crisis strikes at a school district. It’s that concept – that communication must

start pre-crisis – that Donna Gingera says school districts need to understand.

California school districts are re-

quired to have emergency plans that meet

state and national standards in place. The

real question is not whether your district has a plan, but whether that plan is cur-

26 | California School Business

establish themselves as reliable news

gies remain the same. First, apply what crisis communication. “If you find yourself in a hole, drop your shovel.” Put

another way, “It’s not the crime, it’s the cover up.”

As Lehane explained, many times

gested that school leaders ask the fol-

people will make mistakes and then com-

their communications are on track or in

cover it up. Don’t do it.

lowing questions to determine whether need of improvement: Do our parents

pound the mistake by continuing to try to

The second principle is to be dis-

know how they will hear from us? Do

ciplined. “Don’t get lost in the fog of a

hear from us? Clarifying the answers

egy,” Lehane described. “Be a functional

our employees know how they will

to these questions – how audiences will hear from the district in an emergency and on an ongoing basis – is a good

starting point for evaluating a commu-

nication plan. “If you can’t answer those

questions, you need to do some work,” Finders said.

crisis, but be able to execute upon a strat-

organization that can make decisions.

Hold yourself accountable.” Rather than chasing press schedules, defer to your crisis plan.

Preserving credibility, the third of

Lehane’s principles, is all about earning

the trust of your audiences. “Credibil-

ity is the North Star to building trust,”

The on-site incident leaders should:

how an organization handles itself in a

> Establish a contact with emergency

ping it – and people will extrapolate

> Assist in establishing a command

Lehane said. The public will analyze challenging situation – there’s no stopfrom what you put out there in your communications.

To preserve credibility when putting

out information in a time of crisis, ask, “Is it accurate? And will it enhance or harm my credibility?”

MODEL FOR SUCCESS It’s happened. A crisis has struck your district. Now what?

Finders described a practical strategy

for managing the situation. First, establish

services.

center for emergency services.

Staff the site so parents have access

> Set up a parent-student reunion site.

to information.

> Notify the district lead of the reunion

location.

and identify yourself as the sole

> Establish an area for media to gather

contact for district information.

> Listen to the rumors at the scene and

correct them.

> Engage the media in sharing the

location of the reunion site and correcting rumors.

> Inform the media of student/minor

privacy obligations and Family

(ferpa) responsibilities.

Educational Rights and Privacy Act

> Defer to lead agencies – law

enforcement, fire department – as

incident.

the source of information on the

> Provide regular updates to district

lead.

“Be guided by the facts, the truth and what a parent needs to hear,” Finders explained.

two branches of communication – one at

the site and one at the district office. Send

a district representative to the crisis site at the same time that someone at the district office begins gathering the facts.

The person running the district office

command center should immediately take the following steps:

> Set a phone line that must stay open. > Gather and verify facts.

> Secure writers and translation

services if needed.

situation statement and fact sheet;

key audiences.

> Prioritize a contact list; prepare a

determine best method for contacting

> Issue information.

> Track all media calls including

contact names, media services and phone numbers.

> Set an online news alert on the

incident. Monitor media. Correct any incorrect media statements.

Summer 2013 | 27

Breaking news

This message should go out within

3-9-27 When crafting a message about any

crisis, Gingera recommends what she calls the 3-9-27 rule. The communication

should have three key messages, should be able to be stated in nine seconds and

minutes of any incident and must include

officer for the Monterey County Office

a statement of empathy, information on

subscribes to the concept of pre-planning

basic information on what has occurred, whether injuries are involved and an actionable item.

A 3-9-27-message for each potential

should be 27 words in length.

school-based crisis should be crafted by

used by former New York Mayor Rudy

of the overall crisis communication plan.

It’s a proven recipe, she says, and one

Giuliani on September 11, 2001.

The 3-9-27 message must be to the

point, clear, repeated, prioritized and

of Education and a casbo member, also messages, and suggested that districts

review their annual calendars to identify topics that call for a prepared response.

“Plot out when you think the media

districts in advance and should be part

will call. When the state budget comes

Hour-Zero offers clients 400 templates for

slips are sent,” McFadden explained.

crisis-based messages.

“Trying to craft a message under du-

instructive as to what audiences need to

ress is a very difficult thing to do, and few

mism,” Gingera explained.

nature of the things that are happening,”

do. “Think compassion, conviction, opti-

Marci McFadden, communications

are capable of it because of the chaotic Gingera said.

out; at back-to-school time; when pink “Develop in advance your three to five

talking points for key events when you think you will get media or community calls. Base it on an annual calendar so you’re planning, not reacting.”

Respected Audit Leader For California School Districts Since 1953, Vicenti, Lloyd & Stutzman has been a respected authority & proven audit partner with hundreds of California education agencies. Clients have found our CPAs & accounting professionals to be knowledgeable, capable, reliable & responsive.

You’ll feel confident in VLS services…

• Financial & compliance audits • Forensic accounting & investigations • School business consulting • ASB & Booster workshops

You’ll feel confident in VLS resources…

Making A Positive Difference For California School Districts Since 1953

• Certified Public Accountants • Certified Government Financial Manager • Certified Fraud & Forensics Examiners

(626) 857-7300 www.VLSLLP.com 2210 E. Route 66, Suite 100 | Glendora, CA 91740

28 | California School Business

CalCPA Public Service Award for Firms

UNDERSTAND YOUR AUDIENCES Gingera described three tiers of people

person – but you want it to be somebody with a level of expertise.”

Beyond the superintendent, consider

who should be on the receiving end of

the school board president, executive

affected by the emergency; the people

or subject-matter experts to serve as the

crisis communication: those immediately responding to the situation; and those

that are concerned for their safety and need to plan for it.

staff with communications experience

and districts need to stay on top of what’s being said.”

WORKING WITH THE MEDIA

spokesperson if your district doesn’t

When dealing with the media, com-

staff.

old adage – “Honesty is the best policy.”

have a public information officer on

Whether you know the answer or not, go out there and be honest with the media.

Finders uses a concentric-circles

There are so many things coming at us,

munication experts subscribe to another “Whether you know the answer or

not, go out there and be honest with the media,” McFadden advised. Tell report-

ers what the current status is, what you

know, and what you don’t know. If you need time to gather the facts, say so, but

approach to ensure that districts are

GOING SOCIAL

audiences. Move from the inside of the

media realm and are active at various

be sure to return calls from media outlets.

“It’s ok to take a step back and return

disseminating information to all key

Many districts have entered the social

the call with a clear head,” McFadden said.

organization to outside audiences, start-

levels in communicating on Facebook,

Finders provided some additional tips for

ing with the superintendent and the board; then the cabinet; site administra-

tors, union leadership and staff; parents; the community and media.

“In many districts, we push infor-

Twitter, YouTube and their own websites.

Districts that choose to enter the conversation should take a “handle-withcare” approach, Lehane said.

“Lots of folks don’t realize that 80 per-

mation out to the world and we haven’t

cent of the social media conversation on

manage the message,” Finders explained.

ing to engage in that platform, be sensitive

given it to the employees who can help

CHOOSING A SPOKESPERSON

private industry is negative. If you are go-

to what you are opening up and whether you are able to handle it,” Lehane said.

Districts that may not have the ca-

Not every district has a public information

pacity to engage in multiple social media

spokesperson when crisis strikes.

single platform. “You may not want to be

officer, but every district must have a Often, the superintendent is the first

line of defense, but several factors can

weigh into the decision on who should be the district’s spokesperson.

“It has to be somebody who has

the respect and trust of the stakehold-

platforms should consider selecting a on all social media. Pick one and get re-

ally good at it,” Lehane advised. After all, social media messages are often picked

up by users and spread organically to the other platforms.

McFadden echoed Lehane’s caution

working with the media:

> Get to know reporters who cover

your district before an emergency.

treat a difficult subject with respect

positive piece on the district.

> Call and thank reporters when they

and accuracy or when they do a

> It’s all on the record. Don’t ask to

speak off the record.

> Don’t use education jargon.

> Make your points and have data

to support them.

advance, it’s bad form. In a non-

questions in advance.

> Don’t ask to review a story in

emergency, you can ask for

WHATEVER YOU DO, DON’T …

ers,” Gingera said. “The messenger may

regarding electronic platforms. “Social

For every list of do’s, there’s a related

incidents that may not be a cabinet-level

are so many different outlets to monitor.

the don’ts can bury an organization.

depend on the circumstances – in small

media can be a challenge because there

list of don’ts. In crisis communication,

Summer 2013 | 29

Breaking news

Here’s our experts’ list of don’ts:

Don’t only communicate in crisis.

Don’t spin it.

good things that are happening district-

“People engage in over-spin,” Lehane said. “They try to give some extensive or expansive explanation of why they are

doing what they are doing instead of be-

ing straight with what it is. People come

Remember to regularly publicize the wide. Constant, effective communication

when not in crisis mode can do a lot to stop rumors, Poland noted.

up with explanations they work up in

VALUABLE RESOURCES

not believable or credible.”

about crisis communications can check

their office and the public knows they are Go instead for full disclosure. Don’t

spin the situation, instead impact the

timing of the information or the channel you use.

Don’t stay silent.

Whether you have all of the answers or not, come out ahead of it. “Don’t just remain silent,” McFadden said.

Don’t panic.

Avoid a sense of panic about having to

School leaders who’d like to learn more out these valuable resources:

Fagen Friedman & Fulfrost llp offers

a number of crisis communications docu-

ments and guides online. Go to: http:// www.fagenfriedman.com/downloads/

FFF_PlanningGuide_4.pdf for a communication planning guide and to http:// www.fagenfriedman.com/downloads/

Crisis-Communications-Planning-andImplementation-Guide.pdf for a crisis communication implementation guide.

Hour-Zero offers a glimpse at the

get something out just because there’s a

steps involved in developing a school

Nichols warned. Deliver your message

overview of crisis communication strate-

vacuum of information about the crisis, when you have credible information,

even if that message is that you are gath-

ering information and will communicate as soon as you can.

Don’t expect an immediate return to normal.

When a crisis strikes, remember that

dealing with the crisis will take over for a while, said Scott Poland Ed.D, an expert

on school crises and a founding member

of the National Emergency Assistance Team for the National Association of School Psychologists. Set aside other

initiatives and focus on the crisis; meet-

ings, budgets and other plans will have to wait.

30 | California School Business

emergency response plan, as well as an gies, at http://www.hour-zero.com/ PROGRAM/plan.html. z z z

Julie Phillips Randles is a freelance writer based in Roseville, Calif.

In crisis communication, the don’ts can bury an organization.

Summer 2013 | 31

32 | California School Business

cover

KEEPING SCHOOLS SAFE

Take steps to create a culture of preparedness

By Linda A. Estep

Against a backdrop of shredded emotions ranging from grief to outrage, the national discussion about how best to shield our children and their educational guardians from danger is hardly one of consensus. Deeply imbedded in that debate, which always surfaces after an unthinkable tragedy, the question lingers, “Are our schools still the safest place for our children during the day?”

T

hree days after the killing of 20

be tightened. Articulate, heartbroken

at Sandy Hook Elementary School

other equally compassionate grieving

first graders and six staff members

in Newtown, Conn., California State Superintendent of Public Education Tom

Torlakson and the governor’s Homeland Security Advisor Mark Ghilarducci urged

educators to review their preparedness

parents call for stricter gun control, while

parents and citizens argue that to stem the violence we must first take a hard

look at mental health issues and sufficient diagnoses and treatment.

A smattering of educators and school

and safety procedures.

boards, mostly in rural districts of the

committed by campus intruders sum-

field by allowing school personnel to

The senseless rampages of terror

mon many districts to re-evaluate school

safety plans to look for gaps that could

United States, seek to level the playing

carry or have easy access to firearms at school. In March 2013, South Dakota

Summer 2013 | 33

KEEPING SCHOOLS SAFE

enacted a law authorizing employees, including teachers, to carry firearms on

cludes a visitor management system

And two small districts in central

a district campus, including administra-

the job if they so choose.

California have considered offering gun safety courses to interested teachers. It

Sometimes it just involves reporting something that doesn’t feel quite right.

would be done in cooperation with the local police department. The training is

not designed to allow teachers to arm themselves at school for protection. It is to

familiarize them with types of guns and

their proper handling in case they come across a weapon on campus or need to describe a weapon to police.

called LobbyGuard where any visitor to tors, must have their driver’s license or

other government-issued identification scanned at a kiosk near the office. The

scanner is connected to a national data

base which identifies sex offenders. The

scanner takes the visitor’s photo and produces a visitor badge on the spot. Staff and frequent visitors to the campus are issued “key tags” to expedite entry.

LobbyGuard serves school districts,

While the “active shooter” on cam-

as well as health care and government

the only emergency for which schools

age visitors by using customized soft-

pus is a rare occasion and certainly not prepare, its violence and destruction

generate the greatest fear and emotional response.

KNEE-JERK REACTIONS Vincent Chrisatakos, assistant superintendent, business services at Hemet Unified School District, acknowledges

the horror of school shootings such as

Sandy Hook’s tragedy, but cautions

that a district’s safety budget must have

a balanced approach, funding safety

agencies nationwide, that want to manware to fit specific visitor management needs. Hemet implemented the system several years ago.

As for other safety measures in his

district, Christakos points to fencing proj-

ects to ensure campus visitors must enter the office to gain access to the grounds.

School Resource Officers (sro), members

of local law enforcement agencies, are stationed at every high school. Most el-

ementary and middle schools are within close proximity of a high school.

“I think we are being prudent (in

measures for varied scenarios. He notes

school safety),” Christakos said. “We

exceptional response of parental concern

department and have made sure we have

that in his district there was not an

following the Sandy Hook shootings, and adds, “A few parents even complain about some current measures being too strict.”

Christakos, president-elect of casbo,

have a good relationship with the police a good communication system where there are key words indicating a real high priority emergency.”

Hemet, in collaboration with law

is no stranger to safety plans. His military

enforcement, runs “active-shooter ex-

officer included assignments to guard

event is staged on a Saturday. School staff

training as a security and intelligence nuclear weapons and to protect targeted persons overseas from assassination.

34 | California School Business

Part of the Hemet safety plan in-

ercises” on a campus where an enacted

can experience and practice protocols as if it the crisis was real, and police officers

participate in the drill as first responders.

enforcement agencies in Riverside County

she found some solutions after meeting

said. “I think most districts are well-

“We’ve had three full (active-shoot-

Annual Conference & California School

“We’re not that unusual,” Christakos

to develop active-shooter protocols.

prepared in emergency drills and have

er) exercises in recent years. It is as valu-

other events.”

to see how it will work in real life,” she

experience with real lockdowns and

A PASSION FOR SAFETY

able to law enforcement as it is to schools explained. Learning what and how to

report incidents on campuses is a key

with school safety experts at the casbo Business Expo. Her discussions helped

her access strong web-based training

models and led to a partnership with an emergency response planning provider.

Lockdowns, not active shooters, are

component of the trainings.

the most common protocols of safety

District, Risk Manager Judy Miller is

something that doesn’t feel quite right,”

with other school safety officials that

place for a solid safety plan. She places

events.

In nearby Perris Union High School

passionate about setting the pieces in high value on Infrastructure Liaison Officer Training and Terrorism Liaison Officer Training, working closely with law

“Sometimes it just involves reporting

she said about preventing catastrophic

On seeking outside professional

help, Miller, chair of c a s b o ’s Risk Management Professional Council, said

plans, according to Miller. She agrees

the lockdowns most often involve some

activity in the neighborhood of a school and not an incident on the campus itself.

“Communication is a huge issue in

a safety plan,” she stressed. “You need a

Are You Looking For A Full Service JPA? ASCIP offers Property/Liability, Workers’ Compensation, Health Benefits and OCIPs. • Comprehensive Coverage • Competitive Rates • Complete Service ASCIP’s coverages include the following at no cost: • Employment Liability. Discrimination. Wrongful Termination.

• Risk Management Services. Safety Inspections. Property Appraisals.

• All TPA and Litigation Management Services.

Fritz Heirich, CEO • (562) 404-8029 • heirich@ascip.org 16550 Bloomfield Avenue Cerritos, CA 90703

404-8029 Fax: (562) 404-8038 Ph:

(562)

www.ascip.org A Non-profit JPA Serving CA Public Schools & Community Colleges

Summer 2013 | 35

KEEPING SCHOOLS SAFE

good plan to get out correct information with all stakeholders involved.” (Please

see the feature “Breaking News” on page 24 for more on communicating in a crisis).

Equally important is considering the

options in a crisis and laying it out for

Learning what and how to report incidents on campuses is a key component of the trainings.

teachers and staff. It is important to talk about what can be done if the safety zone is breached, Miller explained. While talking about barricading doors and grab-

directive for schools developing plans for protecting children and staff at sites:

• Understand and communicate

your safety plan.

the goals you set.

• Train, train, train.

• Monitor progress toward

bing something – anything – as a defense

“All of this will enhance your chances

noted that many teachers have thanked

we can predict something, then we can

weapon might be uncomfortable, Miller

her for opening the conversation about protective measures in a crisis.

of dealing with whatever crisis arises. If prevent it,” he added.

TAKING A SECOND LOOK PARTNERSHIP POWER Recognizing that school regulations seem to increase at the same time resources diminish, Keenan & Associates, the

largest privately held insurance company in California and a Premier Plus Partner with casbo, has established a partnership

with the association to offer free online safety courses to schools, even if they are not Keenan clients.

“After Sandy Hook, we felt a moral

obligation to school districts to help

prepare and deal with these types of incidents,” Senior Vice President John

Stephens said. “Risk management has always been more slip-and-fall incidents. Shooting incidents are relatively

new. When there is a lot of data, you can predict what might happen. Schools

are doing their best with the resources

Sheri Gamba, associate superintendent,

business services, at West Contra Costa Unified School District and a casbo

member, said that her district has revamped its safety plan by utilizing

a Ready and Emergency Management

for Schools (rems) grant. So far the accomplishments under the grant include

hiring a rems coordinator to provide leadership and technical assistance to

the district and schools to beef up their emergency preparedness. On-going

trainings for administrators, assessments of facilities, maps of the school sites

(including aerial photos of each school campus, including charter schools, for first responders) and emergency supplies for all occasions are just a few of the components of the district’s safety plan.

“We recognized that our district

and staff they have,” he said. “We work

needed to take another look at our pro-

comprehensive safety site inspections,

a top-to-bottom (reviewed) emergency

with 700 districts in California providing then help implement a plan to address those issues.”

36 | California School Business

Stephens suggested a three-point

cedures. We cover five cities and wanted plan in place.” Gamba, along with other experts, emphasized that districts may

need to completely overhaul their safety plans based on modern realities and

on high school and middle school cam-

CAMERA READY

changes to technology.

In Fresno Unified School District, the

ized web-based emergency preparedness

public information officer plays a key

The district is developing a custom-

system providing first responders secure

access to tactical response data through a comprehensive site mapping system.

Gamba believes the most important

element of a good safety plan is staff engagement – total familiarization of

procedures in the event of an emergency. “Earthquakes are a concern in

fourth largest district in California, the

of those sites.

Campus assistants are the eyes and

ears of Fresno Unified’s middle and

an immediate 911 call. pio Susan Bedi

intervention, as well as local gang recog-

office first unless the situation requires assesses the need and contacts the appropriate responders. She works

closely with Armand Chavez, emergency planning/crisis response manager ii.

The district, an institutional member

of casbo, reviews crisis protocols regu-

emergency.”

rent and additional placement of cameras

CALL US AT

camera access and monitoring capability

role in emergencies. Schools call that

our area. Our employees realize they

have a responsibility to the public in an

puses. The Fresno Police Department has

larly and most recently has assessed cur-

800-400-9353

high schools. They are trained in crisis

nition. Every high school in the district

also has a school resource officer on duty, and a Fresno police sergeant works

in the safety office. Lockdowns almost always involve neighborhood incidents

unrelated to school activities. The district cultivates a close working relationship with law enforcement.

www.ATIrestoration.com Summer 2013 | 37

KEEPING SCHOOLS SAFE

WHAT EXPERTS SAY So what do the safety experts say? Are children in the safest place they can be all day if they are in school?

Aaron Masson of Hour-Zero coor-

Are children in the safest place they can be all day if they are in school?

dinates audits and risk assessments for

implemented good protocols yet and are

looking to get the best practices in place.”

Masson said he often finds that pro-

tocols for the classroom are good, but the administrative side may be lacking in understanding.

Hour-Zero risk assessors examine

schools and is one of the organization’s

school sites for problems in door access

planners. His answer to that question

tions systems, surveillance areas where

most experienced school emergency came without hesitation.

“Yes, the environments are still very

safe,” he assured. “Media sometimes make us think otherwise. We see a range

and how they are locked, communicacameras could be installed, as well as

open areas where observers can detect a potential or developing problem.

As for schools considering having

of preparedness where schools have

firearms on campus as protective tools

improvements. Others may not have

does not endorse that approach. “There

done really good work and now want

against attack, Masson said his company is a risk having firearms on campus by anyone other than a professional,” he

said. “We work with districts where they

want that, but we do not recommend it.”

Masson emphasized the importance

of all levels of staff needing to be familiar

with the school’s safety plan. He stressed

that best practices must be documented

and plans kept current. “Make it a living document,” he said.

Masson offered one final thought on

school safety plans. “With all the recent

events in the news, it is important to live in a culture of preparedness and not live in a culture of fear.” z z z

Linda A. Estep is a freelance writer based in Fresno, Calif.

38 | California School Business

Strong Partners Meet Any Challenge FOR 25 YEARS SELF has been working together with member JPAs toward a common purpose—protecting our schools.

The sharing of mutual goals and values with our membership is what sets SELF apart from the other excess solutions available in the market. Formed by our members in 1986 as an innovative solution to meet their excess coverage needs, SELF continues to be the premier and preferred excess provider for schools and colleges statewide.

With SELF and its partners, schools—not profits—come first. Isn’t it time you looked for a provider with your best interests in mind? We can help. Call today to be connected with any of our underlying partner JPAs for your primary coverage needs or to apply to SELF. 866-463-5300 www.selfjpa.org

Sch o o lS ExcESS liabi lit y Fu n d T R U S T W H AT S C H O O L S C R E AT E D. T R U S T S E L F.

Scan the symbol below with your smart phone to view our website.

Summer 2013 | 39

40 | California School Business

feature

Raising talent

HOW TO FIND, TRAIN, KEEP YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

By Lisa Maria Boyles

H

ow do school district efforts compare to private industry practices when

it comes to finding, attracting, developing and keeping the best talent in the field?

School districts certainly have a stake in reducing turnover as poor rates of reten-

tion cost employers money and can impair an organization’s performance. Top leaders want to reduce turnover and retain their best employees, as well as plan for succession.

But how do you do that?

LESSONS FROM PRIVATE INDUSTRY Mike Fenlon is a u.s. and global talent leader with PricewaterhouseCoopers, which

has a reputation as a leader in targeting, hiring and training young professionals. The company has been ranked No. 1 in Training magazine’s Top 125 for three years.

“At PricewaterhouseCoopers, we pride ourselves on the fact that we understand

that no two career paths are alike,” Fenlon said. “We help young professionals design theirs by providing the training, coaching and experiences to help them build relation-

ships and take advantage of opportunities that will help shape their career. Our culture places a strong emphasis on developing all of our professionals by providing a variety of learning opportunities for our people at every level of experience.”

Robert Brown, a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (stem)

Alternative Learning Strategies coordinator at Crafton Hills College, has a background in teaching and learning. He says the importance of the selection process cannot be overstated.

Summer 2013 | 41

Raising talent

“I read a lot of leadership books – many people put priority

about a year. Ng said schools face an obstacle in recruiting that

Brown said. “If you hire well, you’re going to have people who

“Because we’re a public agency, we can’t hand-pick people

on hiring because if you hire well, you don’t have to over-train,”

the private sector doesn’t encounter.

are devoted to the organization… If you hire poorly, you’re go-

for jobs,” Ng said. “Candidates have to compete against outside

private industry… Much of the approach is on making sure that

ment that comes through work and other hr-sponsored training,

ing to be doing a lot of training. That’s one lesson to take from the person is a good fit, making sure that they have the requisite

skills, making sure that they have the initiative to be lifelong learners and a willingness to be trained.”

If you hire well, you’re going to have people who are devoted to the organization… If you hire poorly, you’re going to be doing a lot of training.

Keith Butler, assistant superintendent of business services

candidates. We rely on a combination of professional develop-

along with unions also providing training for their members.

Between those three opportunities, there is a push to try to make people eligible for positions they want to pursue.”

BEST PRACTICES FOR ATTRACTING TALENT A May 2013 article in Business Insider says that creating a fun and

engaging work environment is one of the five most powerful ways to recruit and retain top talent.

“Creating the type of environment in which today’s top

talent wants to work requires investing in building their leader-

ship skills, recognizing their accomplishments and rewarding hard work,” Karen Miller wrote. “In other words, it means helping build great careers. This will not only improve your

recruiting efforts; it will also help your company retain the best employees.”

One approach to recruiting is putting everyone on the job

for Coronado Unified School District and a casbo member,

of looking out for good potential. “We actively engage close to

“As far as recruitment, school districts typically post what

the chief information officer for Fresno Unified School District,

thinks school districts can do better with recruitment efforts.

they have a need for largely based on retirement or employees leaving the district,” Butler said. “There just hasn’t been a lot

10,000 employees to recruit for our district,” said Jamilah Fraser, an institutional member of casbo. “Everyone is a recruiter.”

Robert Brown, of Crafton Hills College, thinks school dis-

of growth in positions in school districts in the recent past. So I

tricts should spend more time looking within their ranks for

recruitment needs are going to be and setting up a specific plan

“I’m kind of biased. I like recruiting and hiring from with-

don’t think we do as good of a job at identifying what our total for that recruitment as private industry would do.”

Some districts do better than others though, Butler said.

“I do know there are districts such as Monterey Penin-

sula Unified School District that have a good recruiting plan.

I heard recently about their certificated strategy, focused on

promotable candidates.

in,” Brown said. “Some with administration, they post fliers,

they post job announcements, and grab at people from outside the district who don’t really know the district. I think it’s important to develop talent from within.

“If you can mine, recruit, hire people who are familiar with

reaching out for representative diversity in terms of their certifi-

the district, it costs a little bit less with training, it costs a little

oped a comprehensive strategy in terms of outreach, recruitment

within, it brings morale up, it brings in that knowledge of the

cated staff compared to their student population. They’ve develand retention.”

Charlie Ng, the vice chancellor of fiscal services at San

Bernardino Community College, has been a casbo member for

42 | California School Business

bit less with time,” Brown continued. “When you promote from

district, it brings in leaders who understand all parts of the district. People who used to be faculty who are now adminis-

trators and business professionals, or support staff who become

business professionals, they are sympathetic to all parts of the organization.”

SOCIAL MEDIA CHANGES THE GAME Many of today’s employees, especially younger ones, speak

a new language and have different ways of connecting to the

world around them than previous generations. Savvy recruiters and employers must embrace those different methodologies.

In the book, “The 2020 Workplace: How Innovative Compa-

nies Attract, Develop, and Keep Tomorrow’s Employees Today,” Jeanne C. Meister and Karie Willyerd describe the impact “social recruiting” has on today’s job search process:

“Often in [traditional] networking, the communication is face-to-face or via email. When there is a meeting, it often lasts for a short amount of time, is usually over after an hour,

is followed by thank-you notes and perhaps a one-time con-

nection on LinkedIn or Facebook. That is typically the end of the process for many candidates.

“But by using social recruiting in a job search, the process continues. After going their separate ways, the two parties continue to interact through social networking tools and

have an opportunity to continually make an impression.

Some of the control in the recruiting relationship moves to the candidate, who can place him- or herself on people’s minds each day through the use of social networks.”

LinkedIn, a social network aimed at professionals, now has more

Classroom Innovation For the past 30 years Sehi Computer Products has supported schools by providing educators with innovative solutions that engage students and inspire learning in creative ways.

We partner with strong technology leaders to deliver valuable solutions to California classrooms. We help to enhance, advance and transform the digital learning process with proven results. Over 1000 loyal clients trust Sehi to help solve their technology problems every day, year after year.

And now you can buy our solutions online! We have Hundreds of Brands andThousands of Products just a click away. It’s one more way Sehi delivers value.

Visit www.BuySehiEdu.com Today!

than 225 million users as of May 2013, its 10-year anniversary.

According to a May 13 Wall Street Journal article, “LinkedIn

has outpaced Facebook during the past year, both in terms of user growth (LinkedIn’s membership is up 35 percent versus

23 percent at Facebook) and revenue (LinkedIn’s first-quarter revenue rose 72 percent versus 38 percent at Facebook).”

Linda Darck, an hr specialist with casbo institutional

member Los Angeles Unified School District, was the co-pre-

senter of a workshop on social media and branding at the recent casbo conference in Long Beach.

“Social media is really important to the young generation of

employees,” Darck said. “They say that’s a factor for them when

30 Years of IT Innovation 1275 Puerta Del Sol San Clemente, CA 92673

1-800-346-6315 www.sehi.com

Summer 2013 | 43

Raising talent

they’re considering an employer. Some of them say they would

Butler said casbo gets high marks in the areas of mentoring

decline a job offer if that organization restricts social media use.”

and professional development.

a way that doesn’t really cost any money and doesn’t take that

good staff is mentoring and professional development,” Butler

“One of the really great things about social media is that

identifying needs and solutions for professional development

Social media expands an organization’s recruiting reach in

much time, Darck said.

it allows us to target recruit. It’s so easy – there are talent com-

munities out there. We can find them, interact, join in and have

a dialogue, meeting the talent before we need it. So by the time we need it, we have a talent pipeline built up.”

This is especially valuable for employers seeking applicants

with highly specific skill sets.

“I think for a lot of positions where certain skills are re-

quired, it’s an invaluable tool that really changes the game,”

Darck said. “It’s really exciting. Social media allows us to reach the talent in a very targeted way.”

Fresno Unified’s Fraser said her district’s hr department

uses a variety of social media platforms – Facebook, Twitter,

LinkedIn and Craig’s List – to publicize openings it’s trying to fill.

MENTORING IS KEY Once employees are on board, the task isn’t over. Efforts must

be ongoing to keep employees feeling satisfied with their career development. An integral component of that is mentoring.

“Mentoring is really about the opportunity to have a person

who’s been there before you going up the road that you want to explore,” cusd’s Butler said, “giving you advice, helping you

to network and providing recommendations for new positions; that I think really helps recruit and develop people in their jobs.”

“I really think the key in both recruiting and retaining

said. “casbo has done an excellent job in the past couple of years and mentoring at all levels of school business careers. Addition-

ally, the casbo by Design strategic planning process has really embraced those two areas.”

Mentoring is really about the opportunity to have a person who’s been there before you going up the road that you want to explore.

If employees don’t feel like they’re succeeding – and mov-

ing forward professionally – they are less likely to stay in a job.

A 2012 Deloitte research report found that when employees

were asked to list the top factors that would cause them to seek other employment in the next 12 months, 27 percent cited lack of career progress, higher than any other factor.

And if employees leave, then employers are back to the

drawing board.

SCHOOLS AND SUCCESSION PLANNING

Fenlon at PricewaterhouseCoopers explains his company’s

Eventually, even the best employees will retire.

“We’ve studied institutions that are dedicated to profes-

have them write processes down,” Brown said. Getting proce-

take on incorporating mentoring into employee development:

sional development, like teaching hospitals, and have integrated

key practices into our teams. In what we call team-based learning, we focus on practices like shadowing in which a more junior

“One of the best things you can do before people retire is

dures, tasks and contacts down on paper helps the employee stepping into the position to quickly get up to speed.

When Brown started working as a coordinator for the tutor-

professional accompanies and observes a manager or partner,

ing center at Loyola Marymount University, the first thing his

don’t tell”), and delegation to stretch and drive accelerated

his new job.

deliberate observation and feedback, Socratic dialogue (“teach, development. These are some of the keys to attracting – and retaining – the top talent in our industry.”

44 | California School Business

supervisor assigned him was to write a “how-to” manual on “She asked me to write out what my processes are,” Brown

said. “If I had to go train tutors, I needed to write that down. I

The Deloitte report cited earlier also found that 22 percent

of those surveyed said dissatisfaction with a supervisor would be a top factor in causing them to look for another job.

“When it comes to keeping professionals, people don’t quit

positions. People quit people,” Brown said. “If people leave a

position because they’re getting something higher, or climbing the corporate ladder, that’s one thing. But when people leave a district for other reasons, it’s usually because they’re just not happy with their work environment.

“Think about teaching, for example. Many teachers leave

teaching within the first five years because they’ve burned out

on the environment. Maybe they’re not getting the recognition, they’re not getting enough compensation and they’re doing way too much beyond their job, so they leave.”

School business officials have the same challenges, the same

was also the center’s budget manager, so I had to write down

needs, Brown said.

“They feel like they’re doing way too much and not being

who my vendors were, what dates did paychecks get distrib-

recognized for it, they feel like they’re undervalued, under-

to replace me, and it was a very easy transition.”

three things are happening. Make sure employees feel valued,

uted. When I left, they took that and brought somebody else in The other thing that can help, Brown said, is to see if it is

feasible to keep the retiring staff member on as a consultant for a short time. “Keep them on call in case questions come up, or a retired person might meet with their replacement once a month

just for guidance. Because everybody – this is true for any job,

appreciated. The best way to retain people is to make sure those

make sure they’re getting recognized, make sure they’re not being expected to do way more than what their job description originally entailed; don’t overtask them. If managers drop the ball on those three things, those things eat away at morale.”

An organization is only as strong as the employees of which

teacher, administrator, secretary, business manager, vice princi-

it consists, from the leaders at the top to the workers in the

someone who knows that position very well.”

attracting, developing and retaining the best person for every job

pal – everybody needs a mentor. They need to be matched with Butler thinks school districts could do better in the area of

succession planning.

“So far, I just don’t see a lot of succession planning in

school business that is as comprehensive as what the corporate world does,” Butler said. “It’s really on an ad-hoc basis. Does a

trenches at the lowest levels. Smart business leaders know that is critical to success. z z z

Lisa Maria Boyles is a freelance writer based in Fresno, Calif.

particular supervisor in a district realize what’s necessary and take the steps to do that? I am fortunate in my district that my superintendent does embrace succession planning.”

GOOD LEADERS CRITICAL TO RETENTION As Butler’s comment points out, another thing that can’t be

underestimated is the importance of having strong, wise leaders in the positions to recruit, hire, train and develop talent.

Summer 2013 | 45

CASBO book club

Book is guide to mastering crisis communication The summer selection for the CASBO Book Club is “Masters of Disaster: The Ten Commandments of Damage Control,” by Christopher Lehane, Mark Fabiani and Bill Guttentag.

In this book, the authors reveal the formula to follow when crisis strikes and your organization is being sucked into a modern media storm. By sharing case studies, a list of 10 commandments and three principles of survival, “Masters of Disaster” aids leaders in navigating today’s fast-paced information cycle.

The authors, two former high-ranking White House officials and an Oscarwinning filmmaker, arm readers with the critical information needed to survive a personal or professional crisis, one reviewer noted.

Providing legal services to California’s school districts for over 30 years.

2013 Education Law Conference

Nov. 14

6$9( 7+( '$7(6

Nov. 19

Rethinking the Future

A Comprehensive Full-Day Conference for Education Administrators

Join us as we provide fresh insights on a variety of timely topics, including:  Business  Facilities  Governance  Labor Relations  New Legislation (It’s the Law Now)  Personnel Services  Special Education  Student Services Stockton, California

Thursday, November 14, 2013 Hilton Stockton

Cerritos, California

Tuesday, November 19, 2013 Sheraton Cerritos Hotel

For additional information or to register, please contact Keesha Clark at (562) 653-3579, or visit our website at www.aalrr.com Cerritos · Fresno · Irvine · Pleasanton · Riverside · Sacramento · San Diego

46 | California School Business

CASBO readers will benefit from the school district-based case studies included in the book which provide examples of organizations that successfully managed a crisis, and those that failed miserably.

A look at the commandments from the book gives readers a sense of the key topics covered: full disclosure; speak to your core audience; don’t feed the fire; details matter; hold your head high; be straight about what you know, what you don’t know and what you are going to do to fix the problem; respond with overwhelming force; first in, first out; no swiftboating; they dissemble, you destroy.

Join your colleagues in reading this book and gain a full understanding of how to apply the authors’ commandments to crises big and small.

sudoku Driving resources to the classroom With budget restrictions growing tighter, now is the time to look to PARS for cost-saving retirement plans to achieve fiscal savings while helping you drive resources back to the classroom.

Contact us to and let us develop one for you!

• Retirement Incentives • CSBA GASB 45 Solutions Program • Alternatives to Social Security

800.540.6369 x 127

www.pars.org

4 9 6 1 5 7 8 3 2

7 2 5 3 8 9 6 4 1

1 8 3 6 4 2 7 5 9

6 1 2 5 7 8 4 9 3

3 7 9 4 6 1 2 8 5

5 4 8 2 9 3 1 6 7

2 5 4 7 3 6 9 1 8

9 3 7 8 1 4 5 2 6

8 6 1 9 2 5 3 7 4

answers on page 53 © 2013 Public Agency Retirement Services (PARS). All rights reserved.

April 2-5, 2014

Save the date!

Sacramento Convention Center, Sacramento, CA

Summer 2013 | 47

48 | California School Business

out & about

AMC annual conference golf tournament volunteers from CASBO’s Central Section.

(L to R) Jeanne Gordan of Office Depot, Paula Job of Office Depot and Shareen Crosby from Clovis Unified School District.

CASBO Executive Director Molly McGee Hewitt recognizes CASBO by Design Action Team members, (L to R), Pearl Iizuka, Sandra Thompson-Nobile, Teri Adkins, Nina Boyd and Susan Grinsell, the CASBO by Design facilitator. Not pictured is Sharon Ketcherside.

TerraVerde Renewable Partners representatives are recognized for their Strategic Alliance Partnership with CASBO. (L to R) Michael Johnston, CASBO’s immediate-past president; TerraVerde President Rick Brown, Ph.D.; Vice President Doug Stoecker; and CASBO Executive Director Molly McGee Hewitt.

CASBO 2013 Annual Conference & Expo Long Beach, California

(L to R) Karen Mitchell, Becky Trebizo and Ben Mitchell welcome golfers at the "Race to the Pin" golf tournament which raised money for conference scholarships.

Golfers check in for the “Race to the Pin” tournament hosted

by CASBO’s Associate Member Committee. The event raised $12,550 for scholarships for CASBO members to attend annual conference.

Annual conference attendees view a tide pool at the Long Beach Aquarium.

Please send in your Out & About photos from CASBO events along with the names of the people in the photos and the event where the photo was taken. Digital photos may be sent to tdavenport@casbo.org.

Summer 2013 | 49

CASBO Career Rx

Being good at what you do is not enough to succeed!

By Molly McGee Hewitt Executive Director

As a professional looking to advance in school business, it is imperative that you have exceptional technical skills in your areas of expertise to ensure future success. The better you know your business and can deliver, the more valuable you are to a potential employer.

Technical, or what we refer to as hard skills, are not enough. These skills will get you in the door – but your future success is tied to four key elements: Continuing education and expertise. Do you keep yourself current in the profession? Have you earned any certifications, added to your professional expertise or added formal education? What was the last book, journal or article you read? What are the latest issues and trends of importance in your discipline?

Your soft skills. Are you a good communicator?

Do you write and present well? When called upon to provide a report to the board, can you deliver?

What are your management skills like? Are you good at managing people and handling all the interpersonal and human issues associated with it? Are you a good team player, as well a team leader?

Your leadership ability. Do you view yourself as a leader? Regardless of title or place on the organizational chart, do you see yourself as a forward-thinking and prepared leader? Can you handle conflict and bring about resolution? Can

50 | California School Business

you handle sensitive subjects with professionalism? Can you bring forward new ideas or address negative situations with courage? Can you handle criticism, as well as praise? Do you look, talk and act like a leader?

The opportunities in school business are opening up every day! The better prepared you are, the easier it will be to apply, interview and to secure the position that is right for you and the LEA. Start today to prepare yourself for the future!

Your organizational IQ. How well do you understand your school district, LEA or county office of education? Do you really understand how your job impacts the instructional program and how your job, department or unit impacts others? Are you clear on how the hierarchy of your organization really works? Can you keep issues in perspective and understand the realities that those above you face? Can you navigate the political waters and remain professional?

Remember, when you apply for positions in your school district or LEA, you will be competing with a wide variety of individuals with advanced degrees and experience. The better your soft and hard skills, the better your chance for success.

As openings occur, educational employers are looking to hire people geared for long-term success. They are not hiring in a vacuum, but must look at the organization, the culture of the district, the needs of the positions and the makeup of the management team. They are looking to hire leaders who will not only do their jobs, but will enhance the operations of the entire administrative team. Your success is inextricably tied to the success of the team. Finding the right fit involves many factors.

CASBO Career Headquarters is the premier electronic recruitment resource for the industry. Job seekers can click on Career HQ to view a host of career opportunities; employers can visit the HQ to both post available jobs and to track qualified candidates.

Visit www.casbo.org and look for the Career HQ tab.

The California School Boards Association, in association with Piper Jaffray & Co., has partnered with the California Association of School Business Officials, and enhanced the Certificates of Participation program.

û Fixed and variable interest rate options û Flexible prepayment provisions û Capitalized interest û Flexible repayment schedules û Low cost of issuance û Education Code 17406 financings

California School Boards Association

3100 Beacon Blvd. | West Sacramento, CA 95691 | 800.266.3382

Summer 2013 | 51

advertiserindex

Accounting, Auditing and Financial Services Vicenti, Lloyd & Stutzman LLP (626) 857-7300 www.vlsllp.com Please see our ad on page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Consulting Services DecisionInsite (877) 204-1392 www.decisioninsite.com Please see our ad on page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 GASB 45 Solutions (916) 371-4691 www.csba.org Please see our ad on page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 School Services of California, Inc. (916) 446-7517 www.sscal.com Please see our ad on page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Cooperative Purchasing

Fire & Water Damage Restoration

The Cooperative Purchasing Network (713) 744-8133 www.tcpn.org Please see our ad on page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

American Technologies, Inc. (800) 400-9353 www.amer-tech.com Please see our ad on page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Emergency 24 Hour Services

Fraud Prevention, Detection & Investigation

American Technologies, Inc. (800) 400-9353 www.amer-tech.com Please see our ad on page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Energy Advisor and Improvement Measures

Furniture

TerraVerde Renewable Partners (888) 316-2597 www.tvrpllc.com Please see our ad on page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Virco Manufacturing Corp.

(800) 813-4150 www.virco.com Please see our ad on page . . . . . . . . . . . Back Cover

Facility Permit Automation

Insurance Benefits/Services

Civic Permits (800) 555-0431 www.civicpermits.com Please see our ad on page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

American Fidelity Assurance Company (800) 365-9180 www.afadvantage.com Please see our ad on page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Financial and Facility Planners California Financial Services (707) 544-7800 www.calschools.com Please see our ad on page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Financial and Human Resource Software Smartetools (760) 242-8890 www.smartetools.com Please see our ad on page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Financial Services

52 | California School Business

Vicenti, Lloyd & Stutzman LLP (626) 857-7300 www.vlsllp.com Please see our ad on page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

ASCIP 562-404-8029 www.ascip.org Please see our ad on page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Horace Mann Companies (402) 290-3116 www.horacemann.com Please see our ad on page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Keenan (310) 212-0363 www.keenan.com Please see our ad on page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Piper Jaffray & Co. (800) 876-1854 www.PJC.com Please see our ad on page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Schools Excess Liability Fund (SELF) (866) 453-5300 www.selfjpa.org Please see our ad on page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Stone & Youngberg, a division of Stifel, Nicolaus & Co., Inc. (800) 447-8663 www.stifel.com Please see our ad on page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Self Insured Schools of CA (SISC) (800) 972-1727 www.sisc.kern.org Please see our ad on page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

advertiserindex

Investment Banking

Retirement Benefits

AD INDEX

De La Rosa Co. (415) 217-3389 www.ejdelarosa.com Please see our ad on page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Public Agency Retirement Service (800) 540-6369 #127 www.pars.org Please see our ad on page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

American Fidelity Assurance Company . . . . . . . . 12 American Technologies, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 ASCIP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo . . . . . . . 46

Legal Services

Risk Management Services

California Financial Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo (562) 653-3428 www.aalrr.com Please see our ad on page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Schools Excess Liability Fund (SELF) (866) 453-5300 www.selfjpa.org Please see our ad on page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Civic Permits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Stutz Artiano Shinoff & Holtz (800) 399-3122 www.stutzartiano.com Please see our ad on page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Network Solutions & Servers & PC Solutions Sehi Computer Products, Inc. (800) 346-6315 www.sehi.com Please see our ad on page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Office Supplies Office DEPOT (562) 490-9218 www.officedepot.com Please see our ad on page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Public Finance Stone & Youngberg, a division of Stifel, Nicolaus & Co., Inc. (800) 447-8663 www.stifel.com Please see our ad on page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

School Bus Sales Service & Parts Creative Bus Sales (909) 465-5528 www.creativebussales.com Please see our ad on page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Creative Bus Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 De La Rosa Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 DecisionInsite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Eagle Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Edupoint Educational Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 GASB 45 Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Horace Mann Companies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Keenan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Leisure Craft, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

School Furnishings Leisure Craft, Inc. (800) 633-8241 www.leisurecraftinc.com Please see our ad on page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Office DEPOT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Piper Jaffray & Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Public Agency Retirement Service . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 School Services of California, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Schools Excess Liability Fund (SELF) . . . . . . . . . . 39

Student Information Systems

Sehi Computer Products, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Eagle Software (888) 487-7555 www.aeries.com Please see our ad on page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Self Insured Schools of CA (SISC) . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Student Information Systems Edupoint Educational Systems (800) 338-7646 www.edupoint.com Please see our ad on page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Smartetools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Stone & Youngberg, a division of Stifel, Nicolaus & Co., Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Stutz Artiano Shinoff & Holtz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 TerraVerde Renewable Partners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 The Cooperative Purchasing Network . . . . . . . . . . 2 Vicenti, Lloyd & Stutzman LLP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Virco Manufacturing Corp. . . . . . . . . . . Back Cover

sudoku 4 9 6 1 5 7 8 3 2

7 2 5 3 8 9 6 4 1

1 8 3 6 4 2 7 5 9

6 1 2 5 7 8 4 9 3

from page 47

3 7 9 4 6 1 2 8 5

5 4 8 2 9 3 1 6 7

2 5 4 7 3 6 9 1 8

9 3 7 8 1 4 5 2 6

8 6 1 9 2 5 3 7 4

Summer 2013 | 53

lastwords

underestimate small news organizations. Social media and newswires can take your story global, fast.

Never

~ Rick Amme

46%

85% 85 percent of universities have crisis communications policies; 59 percent of those policies address the use of social media in a crisis.

Source: Tom Crashaw, Initi8 Marketing

46 percent of the people hired will fail in the first 18 months on the job.

secret of crisis management is not good vs. bad, it’s preventing the bad from getting worse.

Source: Mark Murphy in “Hiring for Attitude�

~ Andy Gilman

hiring professionals is expensive, try hiring amateurs.

If you think

~ Francois Truffaut

The

5.9%

In a 2011 nationally representative sample of youth in grades 9-12, 5.9% did not go to school on one or more days in the 30 days preceding the survey because they felt unsafe at school or on their way to or from school.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Do you have an inspirational quote or interesting statistic to share with your colleagues?

Send your favorites to tdavenport @casbo.org.

54 | California School Business

Financing caliFornia’s Future uch has changed since Stone & Youngberg was founded more than 80 years ago, including our becoming part of Stifel in 2011, but our core values of integrity, client service, and on-the-market bond pricing remain the cornerstones of our success. We continue to serve the needs of K-12 school districts and community college districts in California by providing financing for school facilities and other key infastructure projects. Whether your needs are for new construction, modernization, or renovation, our customized solutions will help you:

M

• choose the right financing techniques: - General Obligation Bonds (GOs) - Bond Anticipation Notes (BANs)

let us help you achieve your financing goals.

- Certificates of Participation (COPs)

contact a member of our california school finance group for personalized service:

- Mello-Roos/Special Tax Bonds (CFDs) - Private Placement of Bonds and Leases - Debt Refinancing and Restructuring - Bridge Financing - Qualified Zone Academy Bonds (QZABs) - Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes (TRANs)

san francisco

los angeles

Bruce Kerns Managing Director (415) 445-2332 bkerns@stifel.com

erica gonzalez vice president (415) 445-2337 egonzalez@stifel.com

Dawn vincent Managing Director (213) 443-5006 dvincent@stifel.com

anna van Degna vice president (415) 445-2681 avandegna@stifel.com

roBerto ruiz associate (415) 445-2381 rruiz@stifel.com

John r. Baracy Managing Director (213) 443-5025 jbaracy@stifel.com

- GASB 45 and OPEB Bonds • evaluate bonding capacity • achieve the lowest-cost funding alternative • plan for bond elections • succesfully transact the issuance of bonds • identify opportunities for refinancing bonds Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated Member SIPC & NYSE | www.stifel.com

Summer 2013 | 55

Environments for sharing, for learning, for living

Virco introduces a new collection of table tops, bases and chairs to suit a variety of casual environments.

For more information, call Virco today at 800-813-4150 or visit our website at www.virco.com to learn about other Virco products.

- equipment for educators

™

56 | California School Business

REF# 13018 Š2013 Virco Inc.