September slate 2015 final2 by Idaho School Boards Association

A PUBLICATION OF THE IDAHO SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION

Fall 2015 SLATE

Back To School In This Issue: Board Training / p15 2015 Annual Convention / p18 Direct Admissions / p28 Scholarship Auction / p32 SLATE / Volume 35 / Fall 2015

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UNITED DAIRYMEN OF IDAHO AD

SLATE / Volume 35 / Fall 2015

Table of Contents

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FALL 2015 FEATURES: 27 Career, Family, Public Service / Brian McGourty

9 2015 ISBA Scholarship Recipients 11 IASA Award Winners

28 Direct Admissions / U of I President Chuck Staben

12 Similarities Between Traditional and

30 Safe Routes to School / Cynthia Gibson 32 History of Scholarship Auction / David Hawk

Charter Schools / Leslie Baker & Wally Hedrick 15 ISBA Board Training / Krissy LaMont

34 I Found My Passion / Margie Gannon

18 ISBA Annual Convention

38 Advocacy Tips / Jess Harrison

20 Your Convention Experience / Misty Swanson

39 Changes at ISBA / Karen Echeverria

26 How Can I Afford Convention? / Starr Olsen

40 Schools in Elections / Phil McGrane

32 Traditional Schools

Charter Schools

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

ISBA

Annual Convention 2015

IN EVERY ISSUE: 5 About ISBA

14 State Board of Education / Don Soltman

6 Presidents Message / Todd Wells

16 Policy Update News / Jess Harrison

7 Statistic of the Quarter / April Hoy

17 Ask ISBA

8 State Department of Education / Sherri Ybarra

44 Business Partners & Affiliates

10 Safety Notes / Allan Ranstrom

46 The Last Word / Karen Echeverria

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SLATE

MISSION Provide leadership and services to local school boards for the benefit of students and for the advocacy of public education.

VISION School Board leadership for excellence in Idaho public education

STANDARDS 1. Vision and Mission 2. Continuous Improvement 3. Advocacy 4. Accountability 5. Community Engagement 6. Board Operations and Training

ISBA STAFF Executive Director Karen Echeverria Deputy Director Misty Swanson Communications & Government Affairs Director Jess Harrison

M A G A Z I N E Subscription to the SLATE, published four times per year, is by membership to the Idaho School Boards Association. The material contained herein is for informational purposes only and may be quite divergent in point of view and or controversial in nature. It is the belief of the Association that the democratic process functions best through discussions which challenge and stimulate thinking on the part of the reader. Therefore, this material does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Association or its members.

ISBA CALENDAR FALL REGION MEETINGS: R1: Thursday, September 24, 6:00 pm Venture High School Library 1619 N. 9th St., Coeur d’Alene, Idaho R2: Wednesday, September 23, 6:00 pm Red Lion Hotel / $15 Taco Bar 621 21st St., Lewiston, Idaho West Ada School District Office - Lochsa Room

1303 E. Central Drive, Meridian, Idaho

R4: Thursday, Oct. 1, 6:30 meal / 7:00 mtg. Buhl High School 525 Sawtooth Ave., Buhl, Idaho R5: Wednesday, September 30, 6:30 pm Sizzler Restaurant Conference Room 1000 Pocatello Creek Rd., Pocatello, Idaho R6: Tuesday, September 29, 6:00 pm Jefferson School District Office 3850 E. 300 N., Rigby, Idaho

Training Director Krissy LaMont

R7-8: Tuesday, September 22, 7:00 pm Teleconference / Dial-in#: 800-582-3014 Participant Code: 58349905#

Printing & Graphics Coordinator Lance Corpus Executive Assistant Aaron Baldwin 4

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facebook.com/ IdahoSchoolBoardsAssociation twitter.com/IDSchoolBoardsA flickr.com/photos/isba

R3: Monday, September 14, 6:00 pm

Office & Finance Coordinator Kristi Toolson

Research & Policy Coordinator April Hoy

STAY CONNECTED

R9: November 11-13 Coeur d’Alene Resort - ISBA Convention 115 S. 2nd St., Coeur d’Alene, Idaho ISBA Annual Convention November 11-13, 2015 Coeur d’Alene Resort 115 S. 2nd St., Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

idsba.org

EDITORIAL OFFICE P.O. Box 9797 . Boise, ID 83707-4797 222 N. 13th Street . Boise, ID 83702 Phone: (208) 854-1476 Toll-Free: (866) 799-4722 Fax: (208) 854-1480 Online: www.idsba.org

About ISBA

OFFICERS

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of the 2014-2015 ISBA Executive Board The Idaho School Boards Association is governed by a 22-member Executive Board which includes four officers, and two representatives from each of the nine regions of ISBA.

President Todd Wells Castleford Jt. SD #417

President-Elect John Menter Moscow Charter School

Vice President Margaret (Margie) Chipman Weiser SD #431

Imm. Past President Anne Ritter Meridian Technical Charter High School

MEMBERS

of the 2014-2015 ISBA Executive Board

Region 1 Chair Tom Hearn Coeur d’Alene SD #271

Region 1 Vice Chair Jody Hendrickx St. Maries SD #041

Region 2 Chair Jennifer Parkins Genesee Jt. SD #282

Region 2 Vice Chair Kim Campbell Moscow SD #281

Region 3 Chair Juan (Mike) Vuittonet West Ada Jt. SD #002

Region 3 Vice Chair Jason Knopp Melba Jt. SD #136

Region 4 Chair Lisa Knudson Castleford Jt. SD #417

Region 4 Vice Chair Scott Tverdy Buhl Jt. SD #412

Region 5 Chair James (Jim) Stoor Soda Springs Jt. SD #150

Region 5 Vice Chair Janie Gebhardt Pocatello/Chubbuck SD #025

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Region 6 Chair Ryan Ashcraft West Jefferson SD #253

Region 6 Vice Chair Deidre Warden Idaho Falls SD #091

Region 7 Chair Eric Jenson South Lemhi SD #292

Region 8 Vice Chair Lacey MacKenzie-Yraguen Weiser SD #431

Region 9 Chair Wally Hedrick

Region 9 Vice Chair Leslie Baker Moscow Charter School

Meridian Technical Charter HS

Region 7 Vice Chair Vacant

Region 8 Chair Barbara Dixon Meadows Valley SD #011

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President’s Message

Board Change & Growth By Todd Wells ISBA President

The election cycle has come and gone, a new school year lies before us, and in a couple of months, the ISBA Annual Convention will be here. Across the State, board membership has changed and the mix of veteran and new board members finds us in a state of transition. It is important to remember that at some point, we have all been a newly elected, naive board member looking for ways to improve our local districts. For those members recently elected to your board, congratulations and welcome to what can be a most rewarding, albeit challenging, endeavor. I hope that you will find opportunities to serve your districts and communities positively in your new role as a school board member. I strongly encourage you to work with current board members in an effort of cooperation to learn from their years of service. Let the veterans mentor you and share the knowledge that they have learned through experience. Remember, as previously stated, we were all new board members at some time. I also strongly encourage you to attend the convention and emphasize the opportunities for new board members to attend workshops that have been developed for individuals new to the role. As ‘veteran’ board members, many of us have had the opportunity to learn board roles and responsibilities, boardsmanship, and school finance through the ISBA convention, workshops, and trainings. It is well documented that opportunities such as these develop better board members and boards and directly influence student success. This year’s convention and workshops will continue to provide this information that can be used by board members to create a board environment that directly impacts our students in a positive manner. As I visit with board members from around the state and nation, I am regularly reminded of the uncertainty that exists as a board member. Whether we will be re-elected, our zones will be redefined, or our decisions will result in student success, we cannot be certain of any outcome. Because uncertainty exists,

board members, new and veteran, need to focus on the end goal of what is best for kids in all decisions. I trust that all board members strive for that goal and work to fully realize the importance of this simple statement. By educating ourselves, we work to ensure that we know we are positively impacting our schools from our first days on a board to the last, whenever that may come. I am also reminded regularly of the negative aspects of serving on a school board. We see state and federal mandates and ongoing controversies in our districts. While these are important and require our attention, it is important to identify successes and the positive side of public education. Essentially, we can drown in our sorrows or we can recognize what is right with public education and strive to improve on those aspects. By having positive conversations, while not losing touch with the negative influences, we can drive a positive dialogue and focus on success. Networking with other board members is essential to this process. Opportunities for self-improvement and strengthening of the board abound at events like the upcoming Annual Convention, as well as the resources we have next to us in the boardroom. Through workshops, presentations, and the ability to network with board members from around the State, we can find strategies for positively influencing kids in our schools. There is something for everyone to learn, if we allow ourselves to be open to being taught. If you are able to attend the convention and utilize the resources available, I assure you that your service to your district and community will be stronger and your board experience will be rewarding¬ through seeing student achievement firsthand. If you are unable to attend the convention, I hope that you choose to utilize resources locally from the ISBA and other school board members to make a positive difference in your schools. I look forward to the opportunity of meeting some of you for the first time, as well as renewing the acquaintances made in the past, in Coeur d’Alene.

Change Is Necessary For Continued Growth. 6

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Statistic of the Quarter

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By April Hoy Research & Policy Coordinator

In 2013, 25.4% of Idaho high school students had been bullied within the past 12 months, compared to 19.6% nationwide. Every other year the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conduct a survey on the health risk behaviors of young people across the U.S, especially students in grades nine through twelve. Among its questions on drug use, exercise, and consumption of fruits and vegetables, the survey also includes questions about whether the respondent has been subject to violence, threats, or bullying. This study offers insights on the scale and nature of bullying in Idaho and nationwide. Unfortunately, bullying is all too common, and can take many forms. 18.8% of Idaho high school students surveyed, compared to 14.8% of those nationwide, reported being electronically bullied via email, chat rooms, instant messaging, websites, or texting within the past 12 months. In Idaho, as in the U.S. generally, students in lower grades tend to suffer higher rates of bullying than those in higher grades. In Idaho, about 35% of 9th graders had been bullied, compared to 20% of 12th graders. At both the state and national level, girls are significantly more likely than boys to have been bullied. A separate national study on bullying at school of students age 12 to 18 found that females were more likely than males to have been verbally insulted or made fun of, to have been the subject of rumors, and to have been deliberately excluded from activities; while males were more likely than females to have been pushed, shoved, tripped, or spat on.

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). Youth Online: High School YRBS: United State 1991-2013 Results [Data file]. Retrieved from https://goo.gl/QCM9Fw. 2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013. 3. National Center for Education Statistics. (2013). Fast Facts: Bullying. Retrieved from https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=719.

Fortunately, school boards have policy options available for addressing this problem. Districts and charter schools can enact policies clarifying what behavior is expected of students and calling for discipline of students who bully others. Ensuring that procedures exist for hearing and investigating complaints of bullying provides a way to resolve such problems. With the passage of Idaho’s new bullying law, board members may wish to consider not only whether their current bullying practices comply with law and administrative code, but whether they meet the district or charter schools’ needs, and whether they might be improved upon.

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State Department of Education

How Does This Help Students? By Sherri Ybarra Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction

As the Idaho State Superintendent of Public Instruction, I have directed my staff at the Idaho State Department of Education to always ask this important question: How does this help students? This question should be asked in all of the work that we do throughout our educational efforts in Idaho and will be the key component of changing the culture of education moving forward. No longer should we take a top-down approach to education in Idaho. We have great leaders and teachers throughout our school districts, and it is time that they are recognized, and we truly allow for local control. When we allow for local control, we allow local school districts to make decisions that will support students directly in current issues that need to be addressed. Without local control, students don’t receive the direct educational impact that they need and deserve. The fundamental change of approaching educational issues from the bottom-up is my effort to allow for local leadership and teachers to support students directly. Minimizing local leaders’ ability to make decisions has negatively impacted kids for too long, and we must change the culture of education in Idaho to allow schools and students to achieve. During the upcoming legislative session you will see my FY17 budget presentation. This presentation will be made with local control in mind, removing topdown mandated line items and focusing on allowing school districts increased decision making opportunities. During the 2015 legislative session, school districts saw an increase in discretionary funding. I will continue to be an advocate for increased discretionary funding, as well as budget line items that

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allow for district grant opportunities. This focus on increased discretionary funding will be a collaborative effort, because collaboration in education wins every time. Collaboration is crucial as opposed to working in a vacuum; working in a vacuum is a practice at the state level that is effectively on its way “out the door.” My FY17 budget request to the Idaho Legislature will be one that evokes change, and begins to move education in Idaho back to the local level. Moving decisions to the local level will allow for this much needed culture change in Idaho, a culture change that will be seen from the ground up as we begin to allow local leaders to make decisions that allow their schools and students to achieve. Within this culture change, we must also begin to recognize teachers for the great work that they do every day. We must also begin to recognize the great work teachers do every day that we are not aware of; those efforts that go above and beyond in supporting students in standards mastery, individualized instruction, and meeting students’ needs when they are hungry, tired, stressed, and simply need someone to listen. School board members, superintendents, principals, teachers, and all others invested in Idaho education: join me in working to change the culture of education in Idaho. Join me in recognizing educators for their hard work. To all of you in our great Idaho school districts, thank you. My hope is that your hard work is recognized, and the 2015-2016 school year will begin to change the culture of education to truly allow schools and students to achieve.

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2015 ISBA Scholarship Recipients This year, the ISBA Scholarship Trust awarded scholarships to 19 children and grandchildren of school board members. Those awarded included students from all areas of the State. Thank you to all of those who participate in the Scholarship Auction held each year at the ISBA Annual Convention! The items you donate to be auctioned off and your auction purchases are what make this program possible.

Recipient

Region

Board Member

Relationship

Whitney Allen 6 Burton Allen Parent Rebecca Bean 7 Von Bean Parent Isabell Bruce 2 Deb Klatt Grandparent Sydney Burtenshaw 6 Lisa Burtenshaw Parent Whitney Fredrickson

Wendy Fredrickson

Parent

Lacy Goodson 1 Dan Goodson Grandparent Samuel Hansen 4 Daniel Hansen Parent Morgan Hill 1 Joseph Hill Parent *Lacey Hovey 2 Dustin Heinzerling Parent Bret Kindall 8 Dennis Marti Grandparent *Luke La Mue

Gary La Mue

Parent

Bryan Lankford 5 Lande Lankford Parent Savannah LeForce 2 Keri LeForce Parent Cortney Petersen 5 Sharee Petersen Parent Kyle Reed 5 Dennis Reed Parent Chloe Schoessler

Lauresa Schoessler

Parent

Lauren Smyser 3 Melinda Smyser Parent Kristen Verkist 1 Jon Verkist Parent Samuel Weeks 2 Nathan Weeks Parent

* Memorial Scholarships: Smith Family Memorial Scholarship: Lacey Hovey, daughter of Dustin Heinzerling Comstock Memorial Scholarship: Luke La Mue, son of Gary La Mue SLATE / Volume 35 / Fall 2015

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Safety Notes

Good News!

Cyber Liability Coverage has been added to the ISBA insurance program. By Allan Ranstrom Moreton & Company

Your team at Moreton & Company and ICRMP has been working hard to develop and provide a cyber-liability solution for the Idaho schools that are members of the ISBA Insurance Plan. This article is intended to provide some basic information to help you understand the coverage provided by a cyber-liability policy and the process of reporting data breach claims. First, it’s important to know that all data breach events should be reported to Moreton & Company as soon as they are known. Here are the reporting requirements: (1.) The District notifies Moreton & Company by calling 800-341-6789. (2.) Moreton & Company will notify ICRMP. (3.) ICRMP will be the liaison between the District and the insurer from that point on. Cyber liability is unlike other types of liability claims in that there is a separate Idaho statute (Title: 28-51 known as Identity Theft) which defines the District’s responsibility in the event certain information has been made public. There is even a requirement to notify the Attorney General of a breach within a 24 hour period. The Idaho Identity Theft Statute identifies “Personal Information” as follows: “Personal Information” means an Idaho resident’s first name or first initial and last name in combination with any one or more of the following data elements that relate to the resident, when either the name or the data elements are not encrypted: (1.) Social security number; (2.) Driver’s license number or Idaho identification card number; or

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(3.)

Account number, or credit or debit card number, in combination with any required security code, access code, or password that would permit access to a resident’s financial account.

What type of events should be reported? In the scholastic environment, it is more common for “personal information” to be “given away” as opposed to stolen; although the incidence of stolen identities from public schools is on the rise. In addition, the information can be in a paper format, it doesn’t have to be electronic. The issue isn’t the medium; it’s the victim’s identity being made public. Unauthorized release of personal information generally occurs in one of two ways: 1. Negligent information breaches include stolen or lost laptops, smart phones and flash drives, erroneous message sending and private information that is posted to public sites. Paper files that are stolen or thrown away but not shredded is another example of a negligent information breach. continued on next page...

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...Good News continued 2. Malicious information breaches include incidents involving hacked computers, phishing scams, social engineering tactics designed to extract passwords by praying on the trust of employees, or viruses that are designed to extract information. It is important that Districts do not take these incidents lightly and do not try to manage the process internally. It is also critical that District employees understand that ANY instance of even a potential breach of “personal information” should be reported as outlined above. Often times, employees may have concerns about reporting lost laptops, or storage devices that contain “personal information,” thinking they will eventually turn up. The problem arises when these devices turn up in the wrong hands, all the while delaying the response process. As with any insurance claim, the sooner we can get expert resources on the task, the lower the financial, operational, and reputational impact will be. The state statutes that apply in the event of a loss of personally protected data require precise actions and the expertise of expert resources. The ICRMP cyber insurance policy provides these resources. Cyber insurance is much more than liability coverage. The coverage extends to important “first party” coverage enhancements such as IT forensic investigation, legal advice, notification, credit monitoring, call centers and crisis management services. These are the out-of-pocket expenses a District will need to incur to make a data breach problem go away. Our policy provides coverage for these things. An interesting and important coverage that is provided in a cyber-policy is the so-called regulatory liability. This coverage will investigate, defend, and even pay fines and judgements that are levied due to privacy regulatory violations such as HIPAA and FERPA. It’s critical to understand that these events start the clock running in respect to potential fines and penalties, so time is of the essence.

Moreton & Company will be sponsoring a workshop at the ISBA Convention in November on Cyber Liability. Please plan on attending to learn more about this challenging risk management issue. In the meantime, if you have questions please call Allan Ranstrom at Moreton & Company (208-321-2001) or email at allan@moreton.com.

2015 Superintendent of the Year Dr. Geoffrey Thomas

Superintendent, Madison School District

Madison School District “Madison School District partnered with the Idaho Food Bank for monthly food delivery to families in need. We provided the space and the personnel to help distribute food. We instituted after school programs at Adams, Hibbard, Kennedy and South Fork elementary schools with Spanish immersion programs. Madison Middle School and Madison Junior High began providing tutoring and academic enrichment opportunities to students whose parents work outside the home. In 2012, at Madison High School, 100% of our Hispanic population students graduated. Though the work is never fully complete, I am proud of our efforts to assist every child in Madison School District 321” – Geoffrey Thomas

2015 District Leadership Award Becky Ford

Assistant Superintendent, Post Falls School District

Post Falls School District “Becky led a district wide professional development effort to establish a detailed Post Falls School District Scope and Sequence and end of quarter assessments for all grade levels following the Idaho Core Math Standards. She provided leadership and organization for the district’s year-long professional development program that clarified and fine-tuned the project as well as provided direct instructional coaching to all staff members involved in math instruction.” – Jerry Keane, Superintendent

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Similarities Between Traditional By Leslie Baker Region 9 Vice Chair Moscow Charter School

The ISBA is leading the nation as the first state school board association to allow charter schools full membership. As vice chair of the new charter school Region 9 and chair of the Board of Directors of Moscow Charter School, I am delighted to have this opportunity to promote cooperative work between charter schools and traditional district schools to achieve our common goal - the best possible education for all Idaho students.

studies, those whose physical access to traditional district schools is limited and who are better served by virtual instruction, or those at high risk of failing out of traditional district schools. Each school’s unique qualities are defined in its charter.

What charter schools are:

What charter schools can do:

Charter schools are free public schools. Although they are free of certain state regulations, they are subject to most of the same state and federal laws as district schools. For example, charter school teachers and administrators in Idaho are required to have the same qualifications and credentials as district teachers, and charter school students must take the same standardized tests as district pupils.

Charters can work with traditional district schools in many ways. They can serve specific student populations whose needs are best met in specialized settings. They can test new approaches, curricula, or technology. They can share resources with other schools. They can join with district schools to promote new legislation and policies that are in the interests of all public schools in Idaho.

Charter schools are accountable to parents, their chartering agencies, and the state of Idaho for their performance. All charter schools currently operating in Idaho are chartered either through their local school district or through the Idaho Public Charter School Commission. The charter constitutes a contract between the school and its chartering entity, and it includes benchmarks for student learning and performance. Nonperforming schools, or schools that are not being well managed financially, may have their charters revoked.

What charter schools want:

Charter schools in Idaho are not the same as charters in other states, since charter law is established separately by each state.

Charter school leaders and teachers want the same thing district leaders and teachers do: to provide the best possible education to their students. Having a seat at the table in ISBA will allow charter leaders to work hand-in-hand with district leaders to promote the best interests of all Idaho public school students, families, and staff. - Leslie Baker

What charter schools are not:

Idaho charter schools are not selective. They are schools of choice and must accept any students who apply to enroll. If more students desire to enroll at a charter school than there are seats available, the available seats must be awarded by lottery. Otherwise enrollment is open to all. Charter schools are not all the same. They may be rural or urban, virtual or bricks & mortar, and host dozens or hundreds of students. They may enroll any grade range from K through 12. They may use a specific type of curriculum or a specific pedagogical approach such as Great Books, expeditionary learning, Harbor Method, and project-based learning. Some charters focus on specific student groups: those interested in specialized STEM or college preparatory

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Traditional Schools

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& Charter Schools in Idaho I am always struck by the similarities between traditional public and charter schools in Idaho. We are so much more alike than we are different. My perspective comes from having served 15 years on the Meridian School Board (now West Ada), most of those as Chairman, and the last sixteen 16 years as President of the Board of Meridian Technical Charter High School. So, how are we alike? Well, both traditional and charter school boards work hard to provide the best education possible for the students we serve by improving their abilities, skills, and knowledge. We both work hard at hiring and retaining the best possible professional educators and administrators. We both work hard to balance our limited financial resources with our never ending demand and need for improved educational facilities, classroom enhancements, technology, and competitive staff salaries/ benefits. We both work hard to grow and learn about new and improved educational approaches that offer increased student achievement and success. We both look to our parents and patrons for support, guidance, and involvement in helping make our students responsive and eager to learn. We work hard to present our case to the Idaho Legislature when it comes to educational appropriations, pending educational legislation, and an educational vision for the future. So much in common, yet too often we allow egos, turf wars, or philosophical differences to get in the way of collaboration on issues that affect us both.

Charter Schools

With 115 public school districts and some 48 charter schools, we now have a unique opportunity to unite in our mission to improve education in Idaho. The Idaho School Boards Association (ISBA) has become the first organization of its kind in the nation to offer representation on its Executive Committee to charter schools. A bold and progressive move that represents a real opportunity for charter school boards to work through and with ISBA on legislative and financial matters that improve educational opportunities for the students, parents, and patrons we serve. Clearly, we are stronger together, and with a unified voice we can bring better focus and support to solving our challenges.

By Wally Hedrick President, Board of Directors, Meridian Technical Charter High School

I know there are some of you who mistrust your local school district/board and yet others who mistrust the charter school/board you are now competing with for students and financial resources. But, make no mistake, while competition is good because it forces us to grow, improve, and bring our best to the table each and every day, in-fighting and an unwillingness to work together is very bad for all of us. There are those who would use our few differences to fragment our collective voice or pit us against one another. To them we must say “ours is the most important mission for the future of our great state and nation, the best education possible for our children and grandchildren.” And while we might take different approaches and believe one educational structure is better than the other, we are collectively focused on producing the brightest and best minds possible. We must find ways to work together, maximizing the limited financial resources of Idaho and its citizens through sharing and joint expenditures that create economies of scale, by utilizing joint transportation systems, food service, insurance/financial arrangements, testing, technology, and the many other business and educational functions that make us more alike than different. Schedule a joint meeting with your traditional or charter school board…interact, find ways to work together, and take advantage of the opportunity to join ISBA. They have a structure that not only allows, but encourages collaboration, cooperation, and educational unity. Give them input and express your concerns with legislation and the challenges you are facing. Participate in their workshops. Attend their Annual Convention November 11 through 13, 2015 in Coeur d’Alene. Together we can achieve a greater success, not because public and charter schools are different, but because we are alike. - Wally Hedrick

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State Board of Education

Implementing Task Force Recommendations Crucial to Idaho’s Future. By Don Soltman President, Idaho State Board of Education

In 2013, Governor Otter asked the State Board of Education to shepherd the work of the Task Force for Improving Education. Over the past two years, the Board has led this focused effort to first develop, and now implement, the 20 recommendations of the Task Force, which provide a road map for improving K-12 education in our State. With the Governor’s commitment to the five-year plan provided in the recommendations and the widespread support they have received from stakeholders and the Legislature, we are already seeing the benefits across Idaho. In just two years, school districts have received $55 million in additional discretionary funds for operations, bringing them within $20 million of recouping the $82 million cut during the Great Recession. While the Task Force recommended restoring the funds over a five-year time frame, after only two years, districts have already received two-thirds of the funding. Teachers have received significant support both in professional development and compensation. Most notably, school districts will receive significantly more funding for teacher salaries through the career ladder adopted in the last legislative session. This will provide more than $125 million in new money for teacher salaries over the next five years. The Task Force also recommended additional compensation for teachers who take leadership roles in their schools. The Legislature provided ongoing funds for these leadership premiums in 2014, rewarding teachers for going above and beyond to serve as department heads, mentors, and curriculum developers. The Task Force also recommended, and the legislature funded, more professional development and collaboration opportunities for teachers, to help them continue to strengthen their skills and expertise.

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Students are also seeing the benefit. The Task Force recommended an expanded commitment to students earning college credits while in high school. By the end of the 2014-2015 school year, dual credit programs had contributed to nearly 12,000 high school students accumulating approximately 70,000 credit hours before graduating. These are students who will be more likely to enroll in college, earn higher course grades, and obtain a postsecondary credential or degree. Full implementation of the Task Force recommendations will require sustained focus and continued commitment from all the education stakeholders. We must stay committed to the rigorous Idaho Core Standards, improve reading proficiency in the early grades, support funding for the career ladder, continue restoration of operational funds to districts, incorporate more technology in the classroom, implement mastery-based education, and promote school district autonomy. The recommendations are not one-shot policies; rather, they are a long-term plan to improve outcomes for Idaho students. We have heard from educators across the State. They are asking us to stay the course. Students, teachers, and administrators need stability in education policy so they have the time and support to realize better results in the classroom. The State Board of Education is committed to implementing the recommendations of the Task Force, which provide clear direction and specific priorities to provide a high quality education for our students and secure a prosperous future for Idaho.

ISBA Board Training

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15 15

Become An Even Stronger Board! By Krissy LaMont ISBA Training Director

The Research Is Clear.

Most effective training occurs when all members of a school board learn as a team. ISBA’s training sessions allow your whole board to come together and focus on a particular need. These sessions also allow your board to discuss your system’s specific situation, ask questions, and develop plans for improving performance. Our workshops on Superintendent Evaluations, Finance, Ethics, Governance, and Strategic Planning/Continuous Improvement have been approved to meet Board Member training requirements for State reimbursement of up to $4,000.

Call ISBA to schedule your board training: (208) 854-1476

ISBA Training:

A Valuable Tool That Helps Students

By James Gilbert Superintendent, Mountain Home School District #193

As a new superintendent, one of the things I have relied upon heavily is the training provided by the Idaho School Boards Association. As a team we have gone through two trainings in the last month and a half. I have found the trainings to be extremely valuable. In the first session we were presented with the changes and updates to the Open Meeting Laws. Staying on top of what has changed legislatively is always a challenge, and it is nice to know the ISBA is so diligent with helping districts stay on top of the changes. The second training was on “Roles and Responsibilities.” The training really helped to define how we should function as a team. I think as educators it is critical for us to always strive for improvement. The Idaho School Boards Association gives us the tools and resources to do just that and I look forward to our continued training provided by ISBA. I truly believe ISBA will help us improve the education of our students.

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SLATE

Policy Update News

LGBT Students By Jess Harrison Communications & Government Affairs Director

Schools are increasingly being called upon to include and support lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students also known as LGBT students. More and more LGBT students of all ages are asking their families and communities to support them, and having support in school is critical because of the central role schools play in their lives. This is a new policy issue for many school officials, and some may not be sure of how to proceed. There are some key terms for school officials to understand regarding LGBT issues. “Sexual orientation” means a person’s physical or emotional attraction to the same and/or the opposite gender. “Gay,” “lesbian,” “bisexual” and “straight” are all examples of sexual orientations. “Gender identity” refers to a person’s deeply felt internal sense of their own gender and “gender expression” refers to how a person expresses their gender to others, often through behavior, clothing, hairstyles, activities, voice, or mannerism. Finally, “transgender” refers to a person whose gender identity or expression is different from that traditionally associated with the person’s sex assigned at birth. Knowing these terms and the distinctions between them can help avoid misunderstandings. One of the most pressing issues for schools in regard to LGBT students is discrimination and harassment. Anti-LGBT bullying is one of the most pervasive threats LGBT students face in our public schools. A negative school experience can hinder these students’ academic achievement and growth, and many school officials know very little about how to handle these issues. Additionally, there is

an expanding body of litigation surrounding LGBT students and the school environment. Under the U.S. Constitution, public schools are required to address any harassment against LGBT students the same way they would address harassment against any other student. Furthermore, Title IX bars public schools from ignoring harassment based on gender stereotyping. It is extremely important that schools have policies and procedures in place for dealing with student harassment and bullying and that all students be treated the same in both policy and practice. Another issue schools need to be aware of when working with LGBT students is the use of school facilities, including restrooms and locker rooms. Students should be allowed to use the restroom and locker room that corresponds to the gender identity they consistently assert at school. A student who has a need or desire for increased privacy may be given the option of using a separate or private restroom or changing area, such as a single stall restroom, but no student should, on account of their transgender status, be required to use separate facilities. continued on next page...

SLATE / Volume 35 / Fall 2015

SLATE

Question:

Is it appropriate for the Superintendent or Chair of the Board to “poll” the board informally to obtain consent to take an official action of the Board?

UNDERSTANDING & SUPPORTING LGBT STUDENTS Confidentiality is especially important when dealing with LGBT students. School employees should not disclose a student’s transgender status or sexual orientation to other individuals, including the student’s parents/guardians, unless they have a legitimate need to know or unless the student has authorized such disclosure. When contacting the parent/guardian of a transgender student, school personnel should use the student’s legal name and the pronoun corresponding to the student’s gender assigned at birth unless the student or parent/ guardian has specified otherwise. Dress codes and school activities such as dances are other areas where schools need to ensure equal treatment of students regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. School dress codes should be gender neutral in all situations including attire during the traditional school day, school activities including dances/prom, and graduation. Schools need to allow students to dress in a manner consistent with their gender identity within the constraints of the dress codes and any other rules regarding student attire. Finally, schools should not impose different or unique practices or rules for same sex couples who attend and/or participate in school activities. Recognizing the legal requirements surrounding LGBT students and their families can be daunting, ISBA has developed model policies with practical guidance to help schools. Members of the Policy Update Service have access to policies governing the issues surrounding LGBT students, including the use of facilities, participation in school activities, records and privacy, confidentiality, dress codes, and more. Contact ISBA for more information on policy services and other resources.

Answer: No.

It is not appropriate and is likely a violation of the Open Meeting Law for a Superintendent or Board Chair to “poll” Board members to obtain permissions to engage in an act that requires Board approval. The Open Meeting Law defines a “meeting” to mean “the convening of a governing body of a public agency to make a decision or deliberate toward a decision on any matter. A “decision” is defined to include “any determination, action, vote or final disposition upon a motion, proposal, resolution, order, ordinance or measure on which a vote of a governing body is required, at any meeting at which a quorum is present. It is the intent of the Idaho Open Meeting Law that public business occurs in public and that decisions regarding public business are likewise made in public. An informal deliberation or an event such as an email chain deliberation or “polling” of board members for votes is not making a decision regarding the public’s business, in public. To vote and/or deliberate outside of a public meeting, is a very clear violation of the Idaho Open Meeting Law because:

• • •

Posting and agenda laws require notice and no posted agenda has likewise occurred relative to the deliberation or decision by the Board. “Polling” board members for a vote on a matter is also akin to a “secret ballot” by a governing body, which is also a prohibited act. Such action also violates the Open Meeting Law with regard to minutes requirements for the maintenance of records as to decisions made by a board of a governmental entity. SLATE / Volume 35 / Fall 2015

SLATE

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

ISBA .

Annual Convention 2015

Stronger Together...Forward Together

Do You Know Someone Who Shows True Dedication To Public Education? Nominate Them For A Citizenship Award. Each year ISBA recognizes two exceptional individuals from our State whose contributions to education are outstanding. One award is presented to a certificated educator while the other is presented to a non-certificated individual, such as a volunteer, a community member, or classified staff.

Nominations due by October 1, 2015.

SMANSH

ARD 5

201

TER OF BO

Have You Participated In The Master of Boardsmanship Award Program Submit An Application To Receive Recognition!

ISBA

The Master of Boardsmanship Award is granted upon completion of an application process that demonstrates both boardmanship basics and proficiency in the six standards of school board operations: governance, continuous improvement, advocacy, accountability, community engagement, and training. For more information on this award, visit the ISBA website under the Board Training tab.

Please submit your application by October 1, 2015.

Do You Know Someone who was involved in the 2015 Legislative Session? Nominate Them For A Legislative Liaison Award. Every year school board members and superintendents spend a great deal of time advocating to local, state, and national leaders in support of public education. This award is given to an individual whose efforts and participation with ISBA during the legislative session should be recognized and applauded.

Nominations due by October 1, 2015.

SLATE / Volume 35 / Fall 2015

SLATE

Awards Will Be Presented At The ISBA Annual Convention November 11-13, 2015 Download nomination forms at www.idsba.org. Please submit via email, fax, or mail. Email: misty@idsba.org . Fax: (208) 854-1480 . PO Box 9797, Boise, ID 83707-4797

ISBA Annual Convention November 11-13, 2015 Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

Coeur d’Alene Resort

Stronger Together Forward Together

does your district have student

TALENT

Encourage Them To Perform At The ISBA Annual Convention! ISBA is proud to showcase student performing arts groups during the ISBA 73rd Annual Convention. Inviting students to participate helps remind us why over 500 board members volunteer to serve the children of their communities. In years past we have enjoyed a variety of student performances including bands, jazz bands, choirs, orchestras, dancers, and thespians. All groups were extremely well-received by the audience. This tradition will continue at the 73rd Annual Convention, November 11-13, at the Coeur d’Alene Resort by inviting student groups to perform. Student performance groups will be announced in late September. Please visit www.idsba.org for further information, including the application form. Please apply by September 15, 2015. SLATE / Volume 35 / Fall 2015

SLATE

2015 ISBA Convention

How to Make the Most of Your

Convention Experience

By Misty Swanson ISBA Deputy Director

Idaho school board members, superintendents, clerks, and others will soon descend upon Coeur d’Alene for the ISBA Annual Convention held on November 11-13 at the Coeur d’Alene Resort. This Convention is the premier continuing education program designed especially for school board members. It is here that we will deliver practical solutions to help your board improve student learning and achievement. In order to help you “drink from the fire hose” a little more easily, here are some helpful tips for planning your time at Convention and getting the most out of your experience. If more than two of your board members will attend the Convention, be sure to post a meeting notice. Although you will probably not be conducting board business, it is wise to let the public know you will be attending Convention and that a quorum will be present. If you need help on what this notice might look like, you can review the “Notice of Quorum of Board in Attendance at Events” form in the Clerk’s Manual on the ISBA’s website. Early Bird Workshops • These workshops are opportunities for you to extend your learning beyond the regular workshops that are part of the Convention. Take time to dig deeper or learn a specialty. The workshops are three hours long and presented by various experts in the field. • These workshops qualify for reimbursement with the State’s training reimbursement plan. Workshop Sessions & Tracks • Take time before the Convention to review the workshop schedule. As a board/district team, discuss which workshops will be the most beneficial for the team. Should you attend the same workshops or break up and attend different workshops?

•

All of the Workshop Sessions will be organized into tracks. These optional tracks are designed to guide attendees through the many workshop options by the capacity and role the attendee fills, providing a more focused learning

SLATE / Volume 35 / Fall 2015

experience. We will most likely offer tracks for the following roles: New Board Members, Experienced Board Members, Clerks/Business Managers, Board Chairs, Superintendents, and Charter School Board Members.

•

Set a meeting spot after each workshop session or at the end of the day and quickly debrief. Use the “I learned these five things” format to quickly identify to each other things you want to remember. It can be overwhelming if you wait to debrief at the end of Convention or when you return to your next board meeting if you don’t have any notes.

Business Session • As a board, review the resolutions before you arrive at Convention to determine how your board will allocate its votes at the Business Session.

•

At least one board member must be present to cast the board’s votes on resolutions.

•

Each board member will vote on a candidate for the open positions of the ISBA Officer core (President, President-Elect, Vice President). Take time before the Business Session to read the candidates’ information in the Convention book and consider visiting with the candidates so you can get to know them better.

•

Attend the Business Session! The resolutions help form the legislative advocacy work the ISBA staff does for the rest of the year.

SLATE

•

Robert’s Rules of Order are used for the parliamentary procedure during this meeting. This is a great opportunity for you to see Robert’s Rules used and see how you can strengthen your own board meetings.

•

You’ll want to stay to the end of the Business Session! We’ll be drawing a name to win a great prize!

Exhibit Show • Take time to review which companies will be exhibiting at the Convention. You may want to note those companies whose booths you particularly want to visit regarding products/services for your district.

•

This is also a great place to network with other board members from other districts.

•

Visit the ISBA booth where you can chat with the staff, receive answers to your questions and learn about any products and services that your district could receive at a discounted rate or free as part of your membership.

Keynote Speakers • Each year the Convention keynote speakers are carefully chosen so that attendees will receive an informative and inspiring message. This year, John-Michael Keyes will discuss the tragic death of his daughter and how that lead to the creation of The “I Love U Guys” Foundation and how, through learning, outreach and relationships, it grew and ultimately developed a school safety program which is quickly becoming a standard around the country.

•

University of Idaho President, Chuck Staben, will discuss the impact of the K-12-to-postsecondary transition on the lives of individuals, as a key component to a secure financial future and generally satisfying wellbeing, and for the overall prosperity of the state of Idaho.

•

ISBA Officers and Staff will also provide you with the State of the ISBA. This will include an update on the ISBA Strategic Plan, where the Association is headed, and also an opportunity for you to ask us questions. This is a great opportunity to learn more about YOUR Association!

Scholarship Auction • The ISBA Scholarship Trust was formed by past presidents of ISBA. The purpose of the Trust is to raise money to award scholarships to high school seniors who are the children or grandchildren of current or past school board members. The application process opens each year in September and closes in February.

•

The Scholarship Auction is held each year to raise money to fund the scholarships. Anyone may attend, donate to, and bid at the auction.

•

The Scholarship Auction is always a fun and worthwhile event during the Convention. Please plan to donate an item towards the auction and attend this great event. In the past, donations have included, but are not limited to: quilts, pictures, gift certificates, baskets of goods, jewelry, food, bags, clothing items, and much more! continued on next page...

Stronger Together Forward Together Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

ISBA .

Annual Convention 2015

November 11-13, 2015 SLATE / Volume 35 / Fall 2015

SLATE

Additional Tips for First-Time Attendees

•

Be punctual. We value your time. Unless something unavoidable occurs, our events begin and end on time. We do not have assigned or priority seating, so please plan to arrive at workshops and meetings a little early to reserve your spot and get settled. Don’t be shy. Introduce yourself to other school board members. You will find them to be valuable resources for you both at the Convention and in the future. Whatever challenges you are facing on your school board, chances are one or more of your fellow ISBA members has been there before. Name badges give you a wealth of information to help you get to know fellow Convention attendees, including their name, district/charter school, and role within the district/ charter school. Introduce yourself to ISBA staff and the Executive Board. If the staff or an Executive Board member does not find you first, please introduce yourself to them. You will see them at the registration desk, the ISBA Booth, and other locations around the Convention. Please don’t hesitate to ask for assistance.

•

Ask questions. Don’t worry about asking a “rookie” question. Many of the most important issues facing public education today are raised by new members who are taking a fresh look at situations confronting our schools.

•

Take what you learn home. ISBA encourages Convention attendees to report at their next board meeting what was learned at the Convention to any of your fellow board members and key staff who couldn’t attend. Sharing what you learned will help your team grow.

•

Complete the post-Convention survey. The ISBA staff will email a link to an anonymous post-Convention survey. ISBA staff appreciates your comments and reviews all of the feedback given. As time and resources allow, staff implement suggestions that improve the event.

•

Above all, know that ISBA is your organization. We are a diverse group of people with one goal in mind: providing the best possible education to our students. You will find your fellow school board members and our staff ready to help you reach that goal.

SCHOLARSHIP

AUCTION

Over $125,000 Has Been Awarded In The Past 14 years! The ISBA Past Presidents’ Scholarship Auction raises money to support the ISBA Scholarship Trust Program. The Scholarship Trust awards college scholarships to children and grandchildren of Idaho public school board members (both past and present). Further details will be available on the ISBA Annual Convention Website. All registrants and guests are invited to attend the Scholarship Auction! Come join the fun and support the ISBA Scholarship Trust. Auction items reflect the individuality of the board members as the items are provided by the board members from all areas of the State. Every year attendees get into the excitement as they bid against each other on live auction items and silent auction items. Auction Item Examples: • homemade quilts • crafts • a weekend getaway • paintings • yard decorations • homemade scarves and gloves

• • • • • •

2015 ISBA Convention

Thanks To Our Sponsors: ISBA thanks the following companies for their sponsorship at the 73rd ISBA Annual Convention. Their generous support is vital to the ISBA’s continuing efforts to provide a quality convention experience for attendees. Premier Sponsor:

We can’t wait to see you at Convention! We hope these strategies will help you build connections between the content at the Convention and the applicability in your district and schools. Approach this networking and professional development event like any other part of your career — do your research, be ready to contribute, receive information from your colleagues around the State, and have fun. See you there! The above sponsors are as of the date of print. See www.idsba.org/convention for current sponsors.

SLATE / Volume 35 / Fall 2015

stuffed animals gift baskets children’s toys framed photographs jewelry sports memorabilia

EARLY BIRD

23 SLATE Welcome To The Team! ISBA Has Two New Employees.

WORKSHOPS Wednesday / November 11 / 9:00 am - Noon Parliamentary Procedure Boot Camp

Nothing could possibly go wrong at our meeting tonight, right? Think again! Remember that people are watching, and if action is taken without proper parliamentary procedure, the action could later be negated. Join us for a discussion to make sure your board meetings are running properly. We will discuss who sets the agenda, how to handle public participation, meeting minutes, motions, debate, and voting.

Continuous Improvement for School Boards through Self-Assessment

This workshop will examine a system of intentional board selfassessments to put improvement into action. Participants will engage in conversation regarding the benefits of standards, goal setting, and action planning. They will learn how to use a formative assessment of the board’s progress to help improve student achievement.

Lance Corpus / Printing & Graphics Coordinator Lance joined ISBA in April 2015 after working 4 years as the Program Education Specialist for Ada County Weed, Pest and Mosquito Abatement. Prior to that, Lance worked 14 years as the Graphic Artist for Central District Health Department in Boise. Lance has a degree from Boise State University in Advertising Design and currently lives in Meridian with his wife Lauri and three kids, Conner, Carli, and Chloe. In his free time, Lance stays active by running, biking, hiking, fishing, and playing basketball. He also paints murals and enjoys playing Frisbee with his two dogs.

The Dollars and Sense of School Boards

Fiscal responsibility is a major component of good school board governance. This workshop will cover the basics of financial oversight, accountability, and fiduciary responsibilities. A panel will share their wisdom on financial governance and perspectives on the monthly budget reports and the budgeting process.

Just for Clerks

Board Clerks perform a myriad of tasks in addition to taking minutes. This will be a fun interactive workshop that will address issues related to supporting school boards; effective meetings, posting requirements, minutes, time management, and front line support. Discover in depth techniques in communicating confidently with school stakeholders and how to develop and polish your effective meeting skills.

Aaron Baldwin / Executive Assistant Aaron was born and raised in Coeur d’Alene, ID. He recently moved to Boise after graduating with his business administration/accounting degree from Lewis-Clark State College. Prior to joining ISBA, Aaron worked in banking and professional live theatre companies. He grew up in the theatre and performs in musicals in his spare time. Some of his favorite roles include Gaston in Beauty and the Beast, Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors and Marius in Les Miserables. Aaron enjoys running and hiking, reading, and traveling to see friends and family.

Stop by and say hello at thisSLATE / Volume year’s convention. 35 / Fall 2015

SLATE

WORKSHOPS • Creating a School Culture for Success • The School Resource Officer Program: Safety Measures in Schools • Open Meeting Law • Policies Required by Law • Effective Meetings • The Crucial Role of School Boards • Community Engagement • Working with the Community: Patron Input • Breaking the Code • The Ever-Changing Role of a Clerk: Roundtable Discussion for Board Clerks • Protocol for the Board Chair • Back to Basics Boot Camp • Mastery Education: Coming Soon to a District or School Near You • The Important Process of Hiring a Superintendent • Medicaid and Schools • Use Educational Technology to Transform Learning and Advance Student Achievement • Bond Ratings – What Are They and Why Do I Care? • When Disaster Strikes – Preparing and Responding to Disasters in Your Facility • Passing a Building Bond Referendum: Do District Demographics Matter? • Idaho’s Changing Landscape of Assessment and Accountability • Idaho Professional-Technical Education Strategic Initiatives for Secondary Programs • What’s In Your Data? • Media & Communication Essentials • Idaho Professional-Technical Education Standards Alignment Secondary Programs • School Security – How Do You Design for This? • Idaho’s ESEA Flexibility Waiver

SLATE / Volume 35 / Fall 2015

This is a list of workshops that will be included with your registration. The full workshop schedule and descriptions will be available at www.idsba.org/convention.

• College Access Initiatives • Academic Tenacity: What’s All The Buzz? • Elevating the Profession: Toward a Continuum of Professional Learning • Insights from an Elections Junkie • “Top Ten” Questions School Trustees Ask About Bonds and Levies • Mastery-Based Education • The State Board of Education - Board Initiatives and Local School Districts • An Update on the Recommendations of the Governor’s Task Force for Improving Education • Superintendent Ybarra’s Upcoming Legislation and Your Role in the Legislative Arena • Making the Best Use of Student Learning in Educator Evaluations • Flipping the IT Model • The NEW Statewide School Program/ID School District Council Self Funded Benefit Trust • Media Relations: Navigating the Calm & the Crisis • Idaho PTECH Update: Lessons Learned from Year 1 • Improving School Performance and Cost Efficiencies Through Safe Routes to School • Understanding “Go On” Decisions: What are high school seniors doing after graduation and why? • Roundtable Discussion for Board Clerks • Fiscal Oversight and Board Governance • What Governing Boards Need to Know and Do to Support Parental Involvement • Effective Blended Learning Programs: What Governing Boards Need to Know • Secure Guns on School Campus: Should You Implement this Policy? • Board Bias - Do’s and Don’ts *** ( Plus several more workshop options. ) ***

SLATE

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

ISBA

2015 ISBA Annual Convention

Annual Convention 2015

Agenda At A Glance

Stronger Together...Forward Together

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Registration Open

Convention Center Lobby

9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Early Bird Workshops

Various Rooms

12:00 – 1:00 pm

Lunch on Your Own

1:15 – 2:30 pm Workshop Session 1 Workshop Rooms 2:45 – 4:00 pm Workshop Session 2 Workshop Rooms 4:15 – 5:30 pm

Workshop Session 3

Workshop Rooms

5:45 – 7:45 pm

Opening Ceremonies /

Bays 4-6

1st General Session with Dinner

Keynote: John-Michael Keyes

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12 7:00 am – 4:00 pm

Registration Open

Convention Center Lobby

7:30 – 8:00 am

Breakfast Buffet & Student Entertainment

Convention Center Lobby

8:00 – 9:45 am

2nd General Session

Bays 4-6

Keynote: U of I President - Chuck Staben

9:45 – 11:00 am

Workshop Session 4

Workshop Rooms

11:15 am – 2:15 pm Exhibit Show Bays 1-3 11:30 am – 1:30 pm

Exhibit Show Luncheon

Bays 1-3

11:30 am – 2:00 pm

Region Meetings

Workshop Rooms

2:30 – 3:45 pm

Workshop Session 5

Workshop Rooms

4:00 – 5:15 pm

Workshop Session 6

Workshop Rooms

5:30 – 6:30 pm Scholarship Auction Bays 4-6 6:30 – 7:00 pm

Networking Time

Convention Center Lobby

7:00 – 8:30 pm

Awards Banquet with Dinner

Bays 1-3

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13 7:00 – 8:15 am Registration Open Convention Center Lobby 7:15 – 8:00 am

Breakfast Buffet & Student Entertainment

Convention Center Lobby

8:00 – 9:30 am 3rd General Session Bays 1-3 State of the ISBA 9:30 am – Conclusion

Business Session

(estimate Noon)

Lunch Provided

Bays 4-6

School Spirit Day - Wear Your School Colors

Updated: 6/10/15

SLATE / Volume 35 / Fall 2015

SLATE

How Can I Afford to Go to the ISBA Annual Convention?

The ISBA Annual Convention is three days long. For many of us, this is a long time. Our lives are busy, and to take three days to go to a school board training is just too much. I have too many other things that I need to get done. I can’t take time off from work. I have five kids at home that need some attention. This is an unpaid position, how can I give even more of my time to the board? I have been on the board for four years, there is nothing new that I can learn. We are such a small district, all the trainings will be directed to larger districts and their problems. Did I mention that I am just too busy? For the last few years I had struggled with the decision to go to the ISBA meetings. We all want to be the best board members possible. We all are passionate about our schools and our children. But when it came to ISBA I found myself using the excuses above, and many, many more. I didn’t go the first few years that I was on the board. The more I missed the easier it was to miss the next one. This year, a few months before the ISBA Convention, I had a conversation with a board member from another district. We were talking about how to run our meetings more efficiently. He gave me some great ideas, a few things that I could see would help right away. He then asked, “Are you going to the ISBA Convention?” I am sure I gave him one of the many reasons I “probably wouldn’t be able to make it.” He said “You should think about going, it has really helped me and our board.” I decided I would give it a try and signed up to go. I still wasn’t looking forward to going. I would be the only board member from my district attending, and our superintendent wouldn’t be able to make it because of health reasons. I almost canceled several times. I had even more reasons not to go now. I went. I decided that I would go and make the best of three long days of meetings. In the movie “Remember the Titans” Julius is talking to Gary Burtier. They are talking after a game and Gary tells Julius that he has a terrible attitude. Julius replies back “attitude reflects leadership, captain.” ISBA must have great leadership because it didn’t take long for my attitude toward the convention to change. I found myself taking a lot of notes and had a lot of light bulb moments, where things finally made sense. I found myself looking forward to the next sessions and the things that I would be able to learn in them. I found out about many resources that were available to help our board, our schools, and our students. I was able to talk to other board members that had already experienced the bond process and learn firsthand from them what worked for them, and some of the things that didn’t. Learning about all of the exciting things available, and learning how I could be a better board member was great. I would even say that it was fun. After attending ISBA and experiencing the convention, I no longer think “how can I afford to go to the ISBA Convention?” I think, “I can’t afford to miss the ISBA Convention.” I will see you all there this November! By Starr Olsen Dietrich School District

SLATE / Volume 35 / Fall 2015

SLATE

Nampa Optometrist Juggles Career, Family, Public Service Article by Andrew Reed with IdahoEdNews.org Originally Posted July 1, 2015 Reprinted with permission from Idaho Ed News Dr. Brian McGourty, O.D. Eyecare Associates of Nampa Nampa School District Trustee

Brian McGourty knew he wanted to be a doctor when he was a young child growing up in New Jersey. He made that dream become a reality when he graduated from Pennsylvania College of Optometry as an optometrist in 1978. His life changed when he decided to buy a practice in Nampa, a place he’d never been across the country from where he grew up and went to school. “I never looked back,” Brian said. McGourty is the long-time owner of Eyecare Associates of Nampa. He operated as a sole practitioner for more than 30 years. He brought on a associate three years ago and they share the duties of clinic care, patient interaction, and paperwork.

Nampa Mayor Bob Henry met Brian 30 years ago while playing racquetball. They served on the Nampa School Board together. “I’m a huge fan of Brian, he is a man of integrity and is very focused. He brings wisdom to the school board – of been there, done that,” said Henry. “He’s always looking at what is best for the district and community.” Longtime friend and patient of more than 30 years Janet Lunt, who has a high school teen in the Nampa School District, believes Brian is what the community needs. “He was willing to step up to the plate when the school district was in tough times,” Lunt said. “I have the utmost respect for him as a community member. He’s calm, cool, and collected.”

FUN FACTS ABOUT BRIAN MCGOURTY Hometown? Cokesbury, NJ

He and his wife Vicki have two daughters and four grandchildren. They live in Michigan and South Carolina. Besides being a doctor, husband and grandfather – McGourty is a trustee for the Nampa School District.

What is your favorite Starbucks drink? Flat white

In the late 1980’s, he was approached to run for a trustee position as a form of community service and decided it would be a great opportunity. He served nine years, from 1991 to 2000, and then was elected back to the board in 2013.

Three things you can’t live without? Fritos, chocolate and ice cream

“I spent nine years during some difficult times for the district and left when things were flourishing,” he said. “Then in the course of difficulties the district has had over the last four years, I felt my experience could be a positive contribution and decided to step back in.” McGourty’s term ends in 2017 and he does not plan to run again. “I think too often people take ownership in these positions — I have always felt that you need to leave before you are asked to leave,” he said. “I believe we have some very talented people ready to step in to fill my shoes.”

What are the first three songs on your current music playlist? I don’t have a playlist, I’m out of touch

You just got a free plane ticket to go anywhere. Where are you going? I would go to Italy – my wife is Italian heritage and it’s a very special place for the two of us What are some words of encouragement you can offer? Be passionate about what you are pursuing and never give up Who has been the biggest influence on your life? My father – he was the one who always kept me focused on pursing my career If you could have any other profession besides your current one, what would you do? I would be a high school science teacher and a wrestling coach

SLATE / Volume 35 / Fall 2015

SLATE

Direct Admissions By Chuck Staben President, University of Idaho

This August marked the beginning of an important journey for students transitioning from K-12 classrooms to postsecondary institutions. Whether they pursue technical training, a two-year degree or a bachelor’s degree, the next years represent an important step toward bright futures for many students. The rewards of post-secondary education are well-documented and include meaningful career outcomes, increased financial security, and enhanced well-being in many areas of life. A transformative college experience must be available and accessible for more Idaho students. A recent study showed the “go-on” rate for secondary graduates, 12 months after college, to be mired at 50.2 percent. Some non-attendees may be undertaking military or religious service, but we believe as many as 25 percent of qualified high school seniors do not continue their education. That is 5,000 students who miss an enriching and increasingly necessary experience for success in the 21st century. Their non-attendance is also a missed opportunity for businesses, organizations, and communities across Idaho and our region, all of whom need employees with the in-demand skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities a postsecondary experience confers. The University of Idaho proposed the “direct admissions” initiative being studied for implementation by the State Board of Education. Here’s how it works: upon implementation, the Board will automatically admit students meeting the university’s standards. No application will be necessary on the students’ part, if certain thresholds are met – for instance, a 3.0 GPA from an accredited public high school may warrant automatic acceptance to the University of Idaho. (Additional details may have emerged since this writing.) With a unified K-20 state board system that operationally supports K-12 and higher education, the state of Idaho is uniquely positioned to collect student achievement data and notify students – and, critically, their parents or guardians – of their admittance to our public institutions. University of Idaho will follow up with further information to students and parents about next steps for attending UI, including financial aid and scholarship support, enrollment resources, campus visit information, and more. Direct admission is a proactive step that can remove one barrier to higher education – the sometimes confusing and expensive application. There are real hurdles on the way to a postsecondary experience, but the State, the state board, public universities, and other partners can work together to ensure that students do not trip on the first one. The University of Idaho also helps students surmount financial barriers; we provided $24 million in financial aid to students last fiscal year. Our last two tuition increases were the lowest in 10 years, and our Go Idaho! scholarship program has been streamlined to rely on high school GPA as a selection criterion and has been extended to all students with a 3.0 or higher high school GPA. Our plan is to achieve excellence through access and inclusion.

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Additionally, the University of Idaho has committed resources and expertise to better understanding the factors that drive Idaho go-on rates. UI’s James A. and Louise McClure Center for Public Policy Research has embarked on a study that coordinates with high schools statewide to survey pre-graduation high school students about their postsecondary plans. The study follows up with those students after graduation to learn about the evolution of their plans, and whether or not they ultimately wound up attending college. When we learn more about the choices students make, and the reasons for those choices, we’ll design further policies that more effectively promote postsecondary participation. When this “Idaho at a Glance” report is published in January 2016 our State’s education stakeholders will have a more complete view of factors affecting postsecondary enrollment. Our institution is also playing an active role in providing experiences that boost interest in higher education. Examples abound, from the 3,000 K-12 students per year who attend our McCall Outdoor Science School camps, to the 900 K-12 students who participated in last May’s Engineering Design EXPO, to the TRIO programs, including Upward Bound, that bring many would-be first-generation college attendees to campus to gain experience with college life. In addition, we reach frontline educators in the K-12 system through dynamic learning opportunities through our College of Education, including the Doceo Center for Innovation and Learning’s emphasis on scalable technology integration for teachers, administrators, and school districts. There is no one magic solution to improving rates of postsecondary participation, but continued collaboration among all stakeholders can achieve concrete results. The direct admissions initiative is our newest positive step forward. We have many more steps to take, together, toward a more prosperous future for our State and its citizens. President Staben’s biography next page...

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President Chuck Staben Biography Chuck Staben took office as the 18th president of the University of Idaho March 1, 2014. During President Staben’s first year at the University of Idaho, the university successfully concluded the Inspiring Futures: Invest in the University of Idaho campaign, with donors contributing over $261 million, far exceeding the original goal of $225 million. The university budget position has improved while tuition increased by the lowest percentage in 10 years. Staben has called for the university to grow enrollment to meet Idaho’s needs while maintaining excellence in graduate and professional education, research, and outreach. Staben has called for the university to be better in all that it does. Before joining UI, Staben served as provost and vice president for academic affairs at the University of South Dakota, and before that as associate vice president for research at the University of Kentucky. As a scientist, Staben’s research focused on fungal developmental biology, bioinformatics, and fungal genomics. He received a B.S. degree from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, in 1978, and a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of California, Berkeley in 1984. President Staben and his wife, Dr. Mary Beth Staben, a practicing physician, have three college-aged children.

ISBA

PROMOTE YOUR JOB Online Job Center Listing

$30

$50

$75

Voice Newsletter Listing

add $20

add $25

add $30

SLATE Advertisement

add $70

add $30

add $40

add $50

Front Page Website Feature

Online Job Center Listing

Credit Packs

Your job listing will be posted in the ISBA Job Center for 4, 8, or 12 weeks.

Do you want to get the most bang for your buck? Purchase a “pack” of job postings to use now or at any time. This is a great option if you have only a few listings now but expect to have other listings in the future, or, if you have five listings now and want to advertise all of them.

Optional Add-Ons Voice Newsletter Listing Your job listing will be listed in the Voice, ISBA’s weekly e-newsletter, for 4, 8, or 12 weeks. SLATE Advertisement Your job listing will be advertised one time in the next SLATE magazine. Please contact ISBA regarding deadlines for this option. We request a six week notice prior to the print of the next SLATE. Front Page Website Feature Your job listing will be added to the front page of www.idsba.org for 4, 8, or 12 weeks.

Sold in Packs of 5: Listed for 4 weeks - $135 Listed for 8 weeks - $200 Listed for 12 weeks - $325

For More Information If you have any questions regarding this service or would like additional (208) 854-1476 | misty@idsba.org.

SLATE / Volume 35 / Fall 2015

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By Cynthia Gibson Executive Director, Idaho Walk Bike Alliance

Why ‘Safe Routes To School’ Programs Should Be In Every Idaho School In many Idaho cities and towns, children who live within a mile of school are now walking or riding their bikes. These students arrive invigorated, brains alive, ready to learn! After decades of plunging rates of kids navigating their own ways to school, the trend is turning back to active arrivals. In Idaho and nationally, this trend is the result of Safe Routes to School. In one generation, the number of children who actively traveled to school plummeted. For example in 1969, 89% of students living within one mile of their school walked or biked there. Compare that to 2011 when only 35% walked or biked to school (1). This change didn’t happen quickly, but it is self-perpetuating. As more parents drive their kids to school, they create more traffic congestion around schools thus making it more dangerous for children to navigate the traffic to arrive at school safely and on their own. Because of this cycle, and other lifestyle changes, obesity rates have increased, air quality has declined, and concerns about stranger danger have changed our perception of how our children should get to school. Clearly, something had to be done. Safe Routes to School as a national program was formally legislated in 2005 with the passage of the federal transportation bill. Dedicated funds were allocated to all fifty states for both infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects that would make biking and walking to school safe and attractive. Idaho received its first influx of money in 2007 when approximately one million dollars per year was available for grant funds. Between 2007 and 2011, 105 projects throughout Idaho were funded. Of these 105 projects, 37 were non-infrastructure and 68 were infrastructure such as sidewalks, cross-walks, lighting, pathways, flashing lights, etc. Non-infrastructure projects include salaries for Safe Routes to School Coordinators, encouragement and education activities, walking and biking safety skills training, awareness activities, and walking school buses. These engagement strategies are vital to the success of the program as they produce an increase in the number of students who actively travel to school. Unfortunately, under the most recent federal transportation bill, Safe Routes funding is now lumped in with all biking and walking projects. Idaho receives approximately $3.5M in funding annually, but Idaho cities, towns, and schools submitted approximately $14M in grant requests. In the two grant cycles under MAP-21, $11M worth of projects per year have gone unfunded! That’s a lot of sidewalks, bike lanes, pathways, crosswalks, and Safe Routes Coordinator positions that towns and schools wish they had received.

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Idaho Walk Bike Alliance and our partners are working to raise awareness of the merits of Safe Routes to School throughout Idaho. We educate legislators, transportation agencies, and stakeholders on why this program is critical to the vitality and health of our communities. Our goal is to see the State of Idaho dedicate two million dollars from the State transportation fund to the Safe Routes To School program each year for local grants. When children actively travel to school they arrive safely, on time, and ready to learn. The Safe Routes program develops healthy students with high attendance rates, thus supporting schools in achieving their mission of educating children. Here are some key points as to why Safe Routes increases student achievement and reduces school costs. 1.

In 2013, the National Institutes of Medicine (IOM) acknowledged that physical education alone does not achieve recommended amounts of daily physical activity among children. Furthermore, IOM supported active transportation to school as an opportunity to encourage physical activity through a “whole of school” approach (2). Thus, Safe Routes is an excellent complement to physical education so children will achieve sixty minutes of activity per day without requiring any additional time from the school day.

When children get physical activity before class, they are more on task, fidget less, and are less distracting to students who want to learn. This is true for both girls and boys, and has been shown to be particularly beneficial for children who have the most trouble paying attention and those with attention deficit disorders (3).

Improving student wellness can save schools money. Children who are overweight or obese have higher rates of absenteeism than children of healthy weights (4).

How can school board members ensure Safe Routes benefits are available to their schools? One of the most important roles is to incorporate Safe Routes to School programming into your district’s policies. The benefits are that you will create an atmosphere and tradition for healthy students to arrive at school ready to learn. You will increase opportunities for students to be physically active without reducing classroom time. And, you will eliminate obstacles for healthy students. Most importantly, you can invite your legislators and local elected officials to your school’s encouragement activities so they can experience firsthand the enthusiasm and wellness your students achieve as they travel safely to school on their own power. Idaho Walk Bike Alliance would like to hear from you on your school district’s successful Safe Routes to School campaigns, activities, and photos. We will share your successes with our many members throughout Idaho. Please contact cynthia@idahowalkbike.org. 1 National Center for Safe Routes to School, 2011. 2 National Research Council, 2013. 3 Olga S. Jarretta, Darlene M. Maxwell, Carrie Dickerson, Pamela Hogea, Gwen Daviesa & Amy Yetleya. “Impact of Recess on Classroom Behavior: Group Effects and Individual Differences.” The Journal of Educational Research,Volume 92, Issue 2, 121-126 (1998), DOI: 10.1080/00220679809597584. See also Mahar MT, Murphy SK, Rowe DA, Golden J, Shields AT, Raedeke TD. “Effects of a classroom-based program on physical activity and on-task behavior.” Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2006 Dec;38(12):2086-94. 4 Geier AB, Foster GD, Womble LG, McLaughlin J, Borradaile KE, Nachmani J, Sherman S, Kumanyika S, Shults J., “The relationship between relative weight and school attendance among elementary schoolchildren.” Obesity. August 2007;15(8):2157-61.

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SLATE

By David H. Hawk Past President, Idaho School Boards Association

The History of the Idaho School Boards Association Scholarship Auction Doctor Ted J. Comstock was a very affable and sincere gentleman whose thoughtful, intelligent decision making was well respected among his colleagues on the Nampa School District Board of Trustees and the public at large. In short order, his credentials resonated well with fellow Trustees throughout the State, and they elected him to officer positions in the ISBA. Members of the Executive Committee and Board of the National School Boards Association recognized the same leadership qualities in Ted. The NSBA staff and officers held great respect for Idaho’s Executive Director, Alan Smith, as a State and regional education leader. They elected Ted to national officer positions, ultimately President. Ted’s progression through the national chairs were proud moments for all Idaho school board members.

It was standard fare for a trustee moving through the NSBA chairs to host several receptions for trustees, staff, and visiting educators and leaders. The cost of such events was significant for one individual. The ISBA Executive Committee at the time decided we would look for a way to offset those costs with the proviso the money could not come from school districts or out of the ISBA budget. Thus was born the Auction whereby individuals and trustees, in the name of their school districts would bring items of interest and hopefully great value (to someone) to be auctioned with the proceeds used to reduce Dr. Comstock’s financial burden. The auction was held on the Thursday early evening of our Annual Meeting/Convention with time for dinner after. It was a successful adventure from the start. Perhaps the most noteworthy result was the relaxed and humorous time we all shared together getting to know board members and superintendents from other districts across the State. When Dr. Comstock’s term as NSBA President ended, the ISBA Executive Committee had to face several issues. First, we had a small surplus of dollars in the Auction fund and second, trustees from across the State wanted to retain the Thursday early evening activity because the relationships were not only enjoyable, but also very worthwhile. After a great deal of harmonious debate and encouragement the Executive Committee decided to continue the Auction with proceeds going to small scholarships for the children and grandchildren of present and past continued on next page...

ISBA Scholarship Auction 32

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school board members. The Auction was to be shepherded by the past presidents, taking as little time from the ISBA Executive Director and staff as possible. The Auction has served its function well for many years promoting collegiality, life-long friendships, a touch of humor and raising several hundred thousand dollars in scholarships to worthy students. Along the way, two very special scholarships were added annually to the funds raised at the Auction: Ted J. and Von Comstock Memorial Scholarship and the Alan and Ada Smith Scholarship, both funded by and on behalf of the named donors. Though their scholarship is just one of many avenues, Von Comstock has chosen to honor and recognize the many education accomplishments of Ted for Nampa, Idaho, and the nation. Alan Smith was a local board member, President of the ISBA and was ultimately named its Executive Director serving for many, many years with distinction and the great respect of his peers nationally and governors and legislators locally. ISBA has been such a strong influence in their lives and that of their children, and they have had an equal influence in the lives of so many others that Alan and Ada, in their true giving nature, have chosen to fund a scholarship annually, as did the Comstock family. Scholarship recipients are selected in the spring from a thorough review of all the applications received. I can say personally, both my son and daughter were as proud as they could be to see their ISBA Scholarships listed on their high school graduation programs. As school board members, regardless of our school location, we spend a great deal of time away from our children trying to be the good stewards of education dollars and processes for our communities. This event has provided an enjoyable way to add value in a small way to our family’s sacrifices. Truly the work of school boards is greater student achievement. Acknowledging this goal, we can also have some fun along the way. Friendships my wife and I were fortunate to make and the lessons I learned serving and associating with far better prepared and more capable school board members than I have served me well in school and the energy business. A fair amount of that respect and friendship building occurred at the Auction. A great deal of time and effort and improvement have gone into continuing and building the opportunities the Auction presents not to mention carrying home of boxes of apples, onions, potatoes, peas, and lentils in your car trunk. The scholarship fund currently has a balance of more than $58,000. It is always a plus to have a positive fund balance to cover a few costs and preserve the integrity of the event. At the same time the commitment is to reward as many deserving students as the revenue from the event plus prudent use of the fund balance will allow. The commitment of the Comstock and Smith families, coupled with that of your Executive Committee, staff, and past presidents on behalf of your children and grandchildren is firm, as I hope your resolve is to attend the Auction, participate, offer suggestions and have a great evening. A plethora of us, including the yodeling auctioneer, Alden Neal, will be there to enjoy the event with you. Buy an item you don’t need, but can’t live without and help recognize your children’s academic and extracurricular efforts. See you there.

2014 Scholarship Auction - ISBA Annual Convention

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I Became A School Board Member & Found My Passion In Life By Margie Gannon St. Maries School District

A few months before my 50th birthday, I had an epiphany of sorts. I decided I needed to do one thing before old age that made a difference. I wasn’t sure of what magnitude, just that I needed to do something of value. As luck would have it, the school board member in my district was not running again, and talked to me about making that leap. She assured me it’s only one meeting a month usually and very rewarding. That was all I needed to convince myself I had found my cause. I would run and, if I won, would do my three year term and walk away, knowing I had done something on a grand scale to tell my grandchildren about. A funny thing happened on the way to that three year term. I found my passion. Strange as it sounds even now, I fell in love with education and all it means in today’s world. My first few meetings after being elected were tough. Everyone seemed to be speaking a language I was not familiar with. Like many others in my position, I was too embarrassed to ask. Luckily for me, I worked with a superintendent who figured this out, and he called me into his office and handed me a stack of reading material. It included an acronym for every-

SLATE / Volume 35 / Fall 2015

thing, including hot lunch, data and test scores, and recent studies. For the next few months, this became my reading material and book club fell by the wayside. It paid off and I could soon join the conversation, and better yet, ask questions. The board changed that first year and again the next year. I found myself as vice chair sooner than I felt comfortable with, and as chair by the following July. I stayed as chair for 13 years, and was honored to do so, but learned how hard it truly is to lead and how hard it is to do with a calm and fair demeanor. The chair of any board often sets the tone and I had to learn to temper my opinions and urge to keep things moving with a new talent…listening. This one thing, for any board member is the most valuable skill you have in your toolbox. Employing it, I began to see the school board was not just about my ideas, but four other people who were also elected, the superintendent, parents, the students, the staff, and most important the taxpayer. It was at this time I developed a code for myself in any decision we were making. They were my three Ts. Trust, Transparency and Teamwork. continued on next page...

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Transparency is so important and can lead to trust throughout the District. While I did not favor all of the Student Come First Laws, I was pleased when it became clear we would hold negotiations in public. It keeps us all more thoughtful, and since the money belongs to the taxpayer, it just makes sense. Building trust includes not just listening to our fellow board members, or administration, but to patrons. Even those who disagree with us will respect us if they are allowed to ask questions or state their views. Being a board that builds trust in a community can go a long way when we are going to them for help. As with any governing board or commission, State laws about open meetings should be your Bible. There are few things to be dealt with that are not done in public. This includes not just scheduled meetings, but those pesky phone calls, or seeing a board member in the store parking lot. While the temptation is there to talk about something you feel is urgent, it helps build trust if businesses is done out in the open. Use the press. They care about education and appreciate that the board is open and trustworthy. This can be a real asset to everyone, as they can get information out in a way we can’t. Working with fellow board members was a real blessing, whether at the local level or on the School Board Association executive board, I gained much insight and more perspective. There were about 17 people I served with in St Maries and many more on the ISBA Executive Board. There are a few who are no longer with us, but their friendship and mentoring made me a better School Board member as well as a better person. From the first school board convention I attended, to the last, plus all the other events and meetings in between, it is clear that ISBA is one key to success. Getting involved with “Day On the Hill” or leadership classes gives you a much broader perspective and more resources to do the job you have been elected to do. The fellow board members from all over the state are some of the finest people I have ever met. Going to a couple of National School Boards Association (NSBA) meetings provided me with a more global outlook and understanding of what we do and what we need to do. The staff at ISBA are priceless, and have guided me through rough waters more than once, also even in more mundane ways, such as when I got lost in the hotel, or walking off the early flight from Spokane, leaving my shoes on the plane. Wonderful people all! So what happens now? I am in the catching my breath stage right now. People continue to ask why I left the board. It is complicated really, but suffice it to say, change is good. This is good for me and I believe it is good for the board. So am I done with education? Oh no, not on your life. A former board member, Pete Dirlam and I are working on a lobbying group of past board members and educators, to start lobbying for schools in big and small ways. We plan to write letters, appear before work committees and help locally in any way we can with issues that come up. My husband teases me about another non-profit job that I am taking on, but to him and others I say this: Any time spent supporting education pays off in ways we cannot even imagine. The sky really is the limit. Thanks to all who allowed me to do this job and helped me during this time of self-discovery. You will be in my heart.

“Any time spent supporting education pays off in ways we cannot even imagine. The sky really is the limit.” - Margie Gannon -

SLATE / Volume 35 / Fall 2015

SLATE

JOB DESCRIPTION SERVICE INCLUDES 100+ POSITIONS!

The ISBA Job Descriptions Manual provides qualifications, reporting structures, job goals, scope of responsibilities, and more for the many jobs in your district. Each job description includes citations of any state laws or administrative rules pertaining to the qualifications, contract length, and evaluation for the position.

Full Set of Job Descriptions

Individual Job Descriptions

The full set of job descriptions includes more than 100 certified, classified, and administrative positions. They are in editable Word document form to allow you to customize them to meet the needs of your district.

Individual job descriptions can also be purchased. Simply specify which description you need.

$425

Email April Hoy at april@idsba.org for a complete listing of the positions for which we have descriptions.

START

Do you have a problem or issue at your school district that you want changed? Can this be changed by State Law or Administrative Rule?

$45 each

If yes, prepare a Resolution to be submitted to ISBA. A Resolution is a document that explains the problem and what outcome you would like.

The Process of Resolutions Each year at the Idaho School Boards Association Convention, board members assemble to consider resolutions submitted by the membership. These resolutions are the voice of the membership and an effective means of providing guidance for ISBA. All resolutions received by July 31, 2015 are reviewed by the ISBA Executive Board. It is not necessary to submit resolutions dealing with positions to which the ISBA is already committed from last year’s legislative program. (Resolutions remain on ISBA’s legislative agenda for two years following its approval by the membership.) The ISBA Executive Board will make recommendations to the membership on whether to pass or not pass each resolution. The membership then votes on the resolutions at the Business Session of the Annual Convention. ISBA welcomes your participation in this process and urges you to take this opportunity to be heard.

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from Start to Finish

Some Resolutions are passed and others are not passed by the members. Those Resolutions that pass become the legislative platform for ISBA staff and lobbyists during the Legislative Session.

During the Legislative Session, ISBA staff request legislators to help “carry” the legislation (Resolutions) and present them to both the House and Senate.

If the legislation (Resolution) passes the House and Senate then it goes to the Governor to be signed into law.

Resolutions Must be Submitted by July 31, 2015

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How To Submit

Resolution Checklist

PSend a copy to your Region Chair; PSend a copy to the ISBA Office by fax to (208) 854-1480 or by mail to P.O. Box 9797, Boise, Idaho 83707-4797; and

Include these elements:

PDistrict / Charter name;ISBA Region number; mailing address; subject; and presenter.

PAt least one reasoning statement starting with “Whereas”. PEmail a copy to Jess Harrison at jessica@idsba.org PA complete statement of purpose. If you would like to receive a sample resolution, contact Jessica Harrison by email at Jessica@idsba.org or (208) 854-1476 or PConclude with a summarizing statement beginning with toll free (866) 799-ISBA (4722). “Now, therefore be it resolved...”

If you have any questions about the procedure for submitting or drafting resolutions, please contact Karen Echeverria, Executive Director: (208) 854-1476 or toll free (866) 799-ISBA (4722).

Submit the Resolution to the ISBA Office no later than July 31st. If you would like help writing the Resolution or have questions, contact the ISBA Office.

Throughout the month of August, ISBA reviews all Resolutions and may contact you for clarification.

AUG

All Resolutions are presented to the ISBA Executive Board during its September Board Meeting. There, the Board reviews all Resolutions and votes on each Resolution with a “do pass,” “do not pass,” or “no recommendation.”

During the ISBA Annual Convention in November, the Business Session is held where member districts can debate and vote on each Resolution.

All Resolutions are sent to ISBA membership via email and posted on the ISBA website. Boards should review each of the Resolutions and discuss the pros and cons of the Resolutions. Boards should choose a position to take on each Resolution.

SEP

2015 Resolution Timeline

This is how your Resolution can ultimately become law and help your school district and many others in the State.

FINISH

July 31

Resolutions due from school board members, districts, charter

schools, or regions

August 1-15 August 18-29

ISBA staff compiles and clarifies submitted resolutions Board packets containing proposed resolutions are sent to the ISBA Executive Board for review

September 11-12 ISBA Executive Board reviews resolutions and makes recommendations Sept. - Oct.

Resolutions are discussed and debated at fall region meetings

October 14

Deadline to transmit resolution packets to school board members

November 13

School board members vote on resolutions at the ISBA Annual Convention Business Session

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Advocacy Tips for School Board Members By Jess Harrison Communications & Government Affairs Director

ith the 2016 Legislative Session soon upon us, now is the time to establish the relationships and set the priorities that will build the foundation for the Idaho School Boards Association’s important advocacy work. ISBA staff and lobbyists cannot be successful in advocating on behalf of school board members without your help. Here are a few advocacy activities that you can do now:

Review the Resolutions

We encourage you to review the 2016 Resolutions. Resolutions will be posted to the ISBA website and submitted to school board members in mid-September in time for consideration at your Region meeting. Additionally, take some time at your October board meeting to discuss the impact of each proposal. Be prepared to speak to ISBA’s resolutions, their purpose, what you hope will be accomplished if they are passed into law, and why they are necessary.

Contact Your Legislators

Now is the time to learn (or relearn) where your elected officials stand on education issues and teach them about your district. Tell them your story, because if you don’t, someone else will, and it may not be accurate. You should also discuss the role of a school board member and your decision making authority at the district level. We want them to understand that you are elected to represent the same constituency that they are elected to represent. Call your local legislators and introduce yourself. It is important to make contact with them prior to the session. Invite them to a board meeting or to one of your schools so they can see what your district is doing and so they can get a sense of the issues of greatest interest to your district.

Establish Informal Meetings

Consider forming a group to meet monthly over lunch or beverages with board members from surrounding districts, legislators, and/or other policymakers. The goal of the group is to build relationships with decision makers and educate them about issues facing local school districts. ISBA has already created the email list serve as a means for you to communicate with the school board members in your Region. By creating an opportunity to meet informally with legislators you will build the relationships and begin the discussions that will be critical to ISBA’s advocacy efforts.

Compile Data

Begin to collect information that will help legislators learn about your local district. Information such as student achievement data, graduation rates, IDLA and dual enrollment courses taken by your students, percentage of low income students, and percentage of special needs students helps legislators understand the issues most important to schools today.

Advocacy Resources

ISBA Staff members are available to answer any questions you may have regarding advocacy, the Legislature, or ISBA’s Resolutions. Our contact information is listed below.

Karen Echeverria karen@idsba.org 208-854-1476

Additionally, ISBA can provide the following: • Assistance in creating a template to write a letter or email to your legislator. • Assistance in creating a template to write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper on important issues affecting your district. • Information and/or guides to help prepare you to testify, participate in a meeting with your newspaper’s editorial board, and bring you up-to-speed on how the legislative process works.

SLATE / Volume 35 / Fall 2015

Jess Harrison jessica@idsba.org 208-854-1476

SLATE

Recent Changes Made to ISBA Staff and Office ISBA’s office had staff space for seven employees, one of whom was working in a back corner of the conference room. In addition, there was a large conference room and table that seated 20 people. The addition of two board members from the Charter Region meant the conference room table was no longer large enough. At the April meeting, the Board made two decisions that impacted the structure of the office. The first decision was to approve hiring one additional staff person. The Board’s decision was based on a recommendation from a recent NSBA Program and Operations Review. Please learn more about this employee and another recent hire that replaced our previous Graphic Artist on page 23. The second decision was to move the Executive Board meetings offsite so that the ISBA offices could be remodeled. The remodel involved adding a wall through the center of the large conference room dividing it into two smaller rooms. Two cubicles were added to one of those rooms. That means we have room for all of the employees with one workspace to spare. It also means the ISBA Board will be meeting in a new location, either in a hotel or in a meeting room that is donated by one of our sponsors.

Remodel Thank You

As a nonprofit we are always cognizant of our bottom line and wanted to keep the costs of this renovation to a minimum. I’d like to personally thank the several companies that donated their time, employees, and equipment to this remodel. In doing so, the cost to ISBA was zero!

Thank you again for your generosity.

Those companies are:

• • • • •

Rudeen and Associates (David Rudeen – Floor Plan Design) • rudeenarchitects.com • (208) 338-1413 Albertsons (Craig Thomas – donation of all the cubicle and conference room furniture) • albertsons.com Falash and Ross Construction (Mike Falash – General Contractor) • falashandross.com • (208) 288-2178 Patriot Electric (Electrical) • (208) 392-5508 American Chiller Service (HVAC) • americanchiller.com • (208) 287-3777

• • • •

New Space Construction (Sheet Rock) • (208) 898-0154 Corporate Office Installations (Furniture Installation) • corporateofficeinstallations.com • (208) 947-4004 Garcia Painting (Painting) • (208) 467-5308 Great Floors (Flooring) • greatfloors.com • (208) 884-1975

* If you ever have a need for their services, I can assure you they are very professional, efficient, and did a terrific job. * In addition thank you to:

•

Moreton and Co. (use of their meeting room for the September Executive Board meeting)

SLATE / Volume 35 / Fall 2015

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The Role of Schools in Elections

By Phil McGrane Chief Deputy Clerk, Ada County

Elections play an increasingly important role in schools these days. Between bond, levy, and trustee elections, it seems like there’s constantly a school district election on the horizon. But what about the role schools play in elections? This doesn’t get as much attention, but the need for schools involvement is increasing too. As we become more and more reliant on elections for things like school funding, people are participating even less, especially our youth. I propose we do something about it. Many of you are likely familiar with the concept of consolidated elections. For those of you who aren’t, I’ll provide a quick primer. In 2011, the Legislature consolidated the dates on which elections could be held and shifted the responsibility of conducting local district elections from the districts to your local county clerk. The county clerks now conduct nearly all elections from presidential elections down to cemetery district elections. This provides continuity and expertise in what has become a very challenging operation. As Chief Deputy Clerk for Ada County, I’m one of those people now tasked with helping run all those elections. Not surprisingly, I’ve developed a few thoughts on the topic of elections and voting, including school board elections. Almost a year ago, I penned an opinion piece, printed throughout most of the State, titled, “The Future of Voter Participation in Idaho Looks Grim 1 .” My basic concern then, and now, is when we look at voter participation trends, fewer and fewer people are taking advantage of their right to vote. I don’t need tell you this, as school board members you know that involvement in government and schools is declining. Part of the problem is that many people hold the view that as you age you’re naturally more likely to become involved and participate. While this is true to a degree, the data clearly shows that future generations are not participating at the same levels of their forefathers. Now I must make a confession. I’m one of those who came out and testified in support of Senate Bill 1071, the civics education bill. You may be asking yourself, “why is someone who runs elections weighing in on education policy?” And you’d be right to do so. The information I shared with the Legislature is the same information I’m sharing with you here. Younger generations aren’t voting, and if we’re going to do something about it we need to do something early. Take a look at Figure 1, a breakdown of the voting age population in Idaho. It shows what portion of each age group voted in the last general election, are registered and didn’t vote, or who aren’t registered at all. It’s no surprise that folks above age 60 vote, but what about everyone else? Of particular concern 1

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2014/10/27/3452348

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Figure 1

are those age 18 and 19. These are the folks who are closest in time to receiving civics education in Idaho and they’re not even registered, let alone voting. I think we can all agree 7.1% turnout in a general election among this age group is dismal. When we talk about the role of schools in elections, this is where I see an opportunity to improve things. Often young people cite barriers such as not knowing how to register, where to vote, or what they’re voting for, as reasons for their lack of participation. But what if schools and clerks worked together more? Something as simple as having a clerk come by to register seniors could help. Or better yet, a short demonstration on how to vote and where to go to find out where you vote. Have a student body election coming up? Maybe your clerk can lend some voting booths and “I Voted” stickers to make the experience feel real. It’s never too early to start. Last year, I brought in a voting booth and made up some ballots for my daughter’s kindergarten class. That, combined with a short book on voting for story time, helped make a connection with the kids as to what their parents were doing when they went to vote. The possibilities are endless. I know that time in education is precious and there’s too much material to cover it all, but when we consider the impact that voting can have on all our lives it seems difficult to pass up. While elections certainly have a big impact on schools, schools can equally have a big impact on elections.

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ISBA Annual Convention

call for WORKSHOP PROPOSALS

Can The Board Members & District / Charter Leadership Of Idaho Benefit From Your Expertise & Experience? ISBA invites school districts, charter schools, educational agencies, and others to submit proposals for workshops to be presented at the ISBA 73rd Annual Convention. Convention attendees are seeking information and skills to help them govern and lead more effectively in the ever-changing world of public education. Workshop proposal applications are available at www.idsba.org. Note: The workshop proposal deadline has passed, but we will still review and consider late submissions. Please send applications to Misty Swanson at misty@idsba.org

November 11-13, 2015 Coeur d’Alene Resort 42

SLATE / Volume 35 / Fall 2015

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

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Package Strategic Planning (Continuous Improvement) From start to finish, ISBA will guide your board through the strategic planning process that will result in a compliant plan. All training plus consultation, surveys, and development work is included.

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ISBA & Idaho Leads are working together on this package. We will help you use your data system from boardroom to classroom to inform your continuous improvement plans, and help you design district improvements based on actionable data.

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rodger.wa@comcast.net SLATE / Volume 34 / Summer SLATE / Volume 35 / Fall2015 2015

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ISBA

EXECUTIVE BOARD By Karen Echeverria ISBA Executive Director

Each year in the fall, I begin thinking about the members of the ISBA Executive Board. With a 22 member board, there is always change in membership. Members serve out their term, decline to run for office again, lose their election, or decide to run for one of the four executive officer positions. With elections occurring at the November Annual Convention, it is time to start thinking about who might be a new ISBA Executive Board member. In some regions, multiple people run for Vice-Chair, in other regions we struggle to find anyone to run at all. I know that all of you are incredibly busy, but I’m asking you to consider serving on the ISBA Executive Board. In order for you to make an informed decision, I thought I would tell you a little bit more about the ISBA Executive Board.

Board Make Up

The Board consists of nine regions - eight for specific geographical areas in the State and one for all the charter schools. There are also four executive officers – President, President-Elect, Vice President, and Immediate Past President. As the Executive Director, I serve as an ex-officio, non-voting member. Each region has its own set of bylaws governing its regional activities. Each region is represented by a Chair and Vice-Chair. One representative is elected from a large district and one is elected from a small district. Region bylaws define large and small districts. In most cases, the districts within a region are ranked by student population. The ranked list is divided in half creating a pool of large districts and a pool of small districts. One representative is chosen from each pool. It should be noted, large and small districts are relative to the districts within each region.

Elections

Regional Representatives: In odd-numbered years, the odd-numbered regions (1, 3, 5, 7, and 9) hold elections for the position of Vice-Chair. In the even-numbered years, the

SLATE / Volume 35 / Fall 2015

even-numbered regions (2, 4, 6, and 8) hold elections for Vice-Chair. The Vice-Chair automatically accedes to the Chair position so, in most cases, there is not an election for Chair. Executive Officers: Every year during the Business Session at the Annual Convention, the entire membership elects a Vice President and a President-Elect. The following year, the President-Elect becomes the President and the President becomes the Immediate Past President. As a result, elections are not usually held for those officer positions.

Terms of Office

Regional Representatives: The bylaws state a Vice-Chair will serve for two years then become the Chair for an additional two years, for a total of four years. If the representative runs for an Executive Officer position, their term can be extended for an additional four years. With that said, for the past few years there have been several changes on the Board due to resignations and loss of elections¬. When either event occurs, the remaining region representative maintains office as Chair or becomes Chair if currently ViceChair. He or she will appoint a Vice-Chair to serve out the remaining term. The appointed Vice-Chair is free to run for office in November. Because this has happened numerous times in the past few years, we have seen more turnover than usual on the Board. Executive Officers: When one of the four Executive Officer seats is open for election, the results vary. If the officer was defeated in their local school board election in May, they retain their seat on the Board until the ISBA November officer elections. If the member resigns, then their seat remains open until it is filled at the ISBA November officer elections.

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Responsibilities

The Board meets on three, sometimes four, occasions each year. The first meeting is held in February in connection with Day on the Hill. The February meeting is usually scheduled for a half-day. The second meeting is held in April and the third meeting in September. Both of those meetings usually begin mid-day on Friday, extend into the evening, and adjourn on Saturday morning. We are cognizant most of our Board members have other jobs, so we try to minimize your time away from work. The fourth meeting, if needed, is held in connection with the Annual Convention and only if there is an emergency issue requiring Board involvement. Board meetings are held in Boise and ISBA covers the cost of your travel, lodging, and food for the April and September meetings. If you stay an additional night in order to attend the Board meeting in February, ISBA will pay for your lodging. In addition to attending board meetings, the Region Chair and Vice-Chair are also responsible for scheduling and planning a Fall Region Meeting. As the Executive Director, I am usually in attendance, but only at the invitation of the Region Officers. There are five committees of the Board. The Region Chairs are members of the Government Affairs Committee that meets via teleconference every Friday during the legislative session, and they are members of the Nominating Committee. The Region Vice-Chairs are members of the Board Training and Leadership Development Committee and the Scholarship Committee. Finally, the Audit Committee consists of the four Executive Officers and two or three appointments made by the President. Although rare, the President may appoint additional committees and members to those committees.

What If I Want to Run for Office?

Since this is an odd-numbered year, the Vice-Chair position is open for election in regions 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9. In addition to the Vice President and President-Elect positions, the President’s office is also open for election this year. There are many opportunities for you to become involved with the ISBA at the state level. If you are interested in running for your Region Vice-Chair, please contact one of your Region Officers to let them know. If you are interested in running for one of the Executive Officer positions, you will need to complete an application as soon as possible. Please contact ISBA to receive an application. I hope you will consider running! Thanks,

We Need You!

SLATE / Volume 35 / Fall 2015

Idaho School Boards Association P.O. Box 9797 • Boise, ID 83707-4797 Ph: (208) 854-1476 • Fax: (208) 854-1480

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Mark Your Calendar!

ISBA

Fall Region Meetings Discuss The Issues Facing Your Region. Your Region Meeting provides school board members an opportunity to feel supported, build relationships, be heard, and voice concerns. Typical discussion topics include discussion of resolutions, legislative review, region bylaw review and changes, or any other business your school board or neighboring school boards may want to discuss. September 24, 6:00 pm 1 Thursday, Venture High School Library

1619 N. 9th St., Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

Wednesday, September 23, 6:00 pm Red Lion Hotel / $15 Taco Bar 621 21st St., Lewiston, Idaho

September 14, 6:00 pm 3 Monday, West Ada School District Office - Lochsa Room 133 E. Central Drive, Meridian, Idaho

October 1, 6:30 meal / 7:00 mtg. 4 Thursday, Buhl High School 525 Sawtooth Ave., Buhl, Idaho

September 30, 6:30 pm 5 Wednesday, Sizzler Restaurant Conference Room 48

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1000 Pocatello Creek Rd., Pocatello, Idaho

September 29, 6:00 pm 6 Tuesday, Jefferson School District Office 3850 E. 300 N., Rigby, Idaho

September 22, 7:00 pm 7-8 Tuesday, Teleconference / Dial-in#: 800-582-3014 Participant Code: 58349905#

11-13, 9 November Meeting at ISBA Annual Convention Coeur d’Alene Resort