Winter 2016 Oklahoma School Board Journal

Winter 2016 Volume XIV • No. 4

E

e k a u q h art

A Publication of the Oklahoma State School Boards Association

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Winter 2016 Volume XIV • No. 4

Shawn Hime: Thank You for Advocating for Public Education

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Roger Edenborough: Presidential Ponderings

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Oklahoma's Education Gap

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The Election is Over: What Happens Next?

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Teacher Pay: Focus Now on Legislature

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Earthquake Safety and Preparedness

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Shawn Hime Executive Director and Editor Christy Watson Director of Communications and Marketing and Editor

It's Policy: Wellness and Health

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Playing Safe: Requirements for Athletic Participation in Oklahoma Public Schools

Kelly Ross Marketing Coordinator and Design Editor Official publication of Oklahoma State School Boards Association, Inc. 2801 N. Lincoln Boulevard, Ste. 125 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105 (405) 528-3571 • (888)528-3571 toll-free (405) 528-5695 fax www.ossba.org ISSN 0748-8092 The Oklahoma State School Boards Association, publisher of The Oklahoma School Board Journal, reserves the right to accept or reject any material, editorial or advertisement submitted to the Journal for publication.

Advertisements appearing in the Journal do not necessarily reflect an endorsement by the OSSBA of the advertised materials or services.

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Learn 24/7 with OSSBA Webinars

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Preparing for the Board Meeting

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OSSBA Partners 1

Roger Edenborough - President Goodwell Don Tice - President-Elect Oologah-Talala Ed Tillery - First Vice President Whitebead Mike Ray - Second Vice President Guymon Mike Mullins - Immediate Past President Sand Springs John D. Tuttle - NSBA Board of Directors Kellyville

Region 1 Mike Ray, Guymon Roger Edenborough, Goodwell

Region 9 Dr. Floyd Simon, Jr., Clinton James Smith, Leedey

Region 2 Terry Graham, Burlington Wesley Crain, Fargo

Region 10 Beth Schieber, Okarche Jackie McComas, Anadarko

Region 3 Ernie Currier, Enid Cheryl Lane, Frontier

Region 11 Jared Turner, Flower Mound Karol Haney, Cache

Region 4 Mike Mullins, Sand Springs Ruth Ann Fate, Tulsa Cheryl Kelly, Broken Arrow

Region 12 Ed Tillery, Whitebead Joe Don Looney, Pauls Valley

Region 5 Don Tice, Oologah-Talala Rodney Schilt, Adair

Region 6 Dr. Dan Snell, Norman Frances Percival, Millwood Ron Millican, Oklahoma City

Region 7 John D. Tuttle, Kellyville Keith Sandlin, Shawnee

Region 8 Brenda Barney, Wagoner W. Scott Abbott, Fort Gibson

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Region 13 Roy Justice, Mannsville Mike Mathis, Madill

Region 14 Brent Bolen, Idabel Darrell Ward, Denison

Region 15 Glen Cosper, Moore Norman Technology Center Dustin Tackett, Caddo-Kiowa Technology Center

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THANK YOU FOR ADVOCATING FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION The defeat of State Question 779 was a disappointing day for public education in Oklahoma. On the same day, Oklahoma City Public Schools passed a muchneeded bond issue for the first time since 2007. The latter simply reinforced what I already knew: communities throughout Oklahoma support their local schools.

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Patrons routinely pass bond issues, donate to fundraisers, volunteer in classrooms and show up to support students at athletic, academic, agricultural and fine arts events. Parents and businesses have launched major fundraising drives to support their local schools. This happens in the far corners of our state and everywhere in between.

More than ever, it’s important public education advocates not let the false narrative of failing public schools go unchallenged. Those working in our schools and classrooms see the good things happening for children on a daily basis; our educators and support staff are achieving great results for students every day.

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realities. Provide information about your local school budget, including how it supports classroom learning, future plans and unmet needs. Encourage questions and involvement.

Work with your local chamber of commerce and other civic groups for opportunities to showcase your district’s students and teachers. Let them see their taxpayer investment at work!

Regularly use your social media accounts to

More than ever, it’s important public education advocates not let the false narrative of failing public schools go unchallenged.

Local school board members clearly have major responsibilities: hire a superintendent, fiscal oversight and policy adoption that ensures student safety and improved student achievement. I think we need to add another responsibility to that list: cheerleader-in-chief.

Last legislative session, I was encouraged to see so many school board members become more outspoken advocates for your districts and public education at the state Capitol. The response to calls for action was phenomenal, and more importantly, effective. That same level of advocacy and information sharing – and encouragement of educators – needs to happen in our local communities.

School board members are a bridge between the schools and the community. As such, board members can help local constituents and community leaders better understand the needs and realities of their local schools so they can become informed advocates locally and at the state Capitol.

If you’re wondering what that looks like, here are just a few ideas: •

Meet with city leaders and ask to speak at local civic meetings not only about your district’s successes but also its challenges and funding

SHAWN HIME, OSSBA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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share information and brag about your schools, students and educators.

Highlight outstanding educators and students during board meetings.

Say thank you. A hand-written thank you note or even a quick email to an educator in your district shows your appreciation for their daily efforts.

Brag on your district at every opportunity: at the grocery store, at church and at the local diner.

Positivity is contagious!

One of our goals at OSSBA is to arm you with information that empowers you as leaders in your local communities and at the state Capitol. Please mark your calendars for Feb. 6. OSSBA is hosting a special advocacy workshop in Oklahoma City. More details will be coming soon. We’re planning a great day of learning and sharing!

Let me assure you that the OSSBA team isn’t deterred by the results of SQ 779. We welcome the opportunity to continue standing by you as we advocate for public education, address challenges, share the great work of schools and look for opportunities to innovate.  5

Roger Edenborough, OSSBA President and Goodwell Board Member

I can’t shake the feeling that nearly 700,000 Oklahoma children lost on election day.

I know many who opposed State Question 779 had legitimate reasons.

I also saw – as many public education advocates did – that some detractors used distraction, misdirection and misleading rhetoric to plant doubt and quash support. It wasn’t just our children who took a back seat as election day approached — so did civil and honest discourse.

At its core, SQ 779 was exceedingly basic – ensuring every child has a highly qualified classroom teacher.

Raising teacher pay isn’t the only strategy needed to meet that goal, but even those opposed to the ballot measure know teacher compensation is a huge problem. Oklahoma simply isn’t competitive in the teacher labor market.

In the last two years, the state has awarded more than 2,000 emergency teaching certificates.

According to data from the state Education Department, the number of school districts with a four-day week has doubled in the last year.

I’m appalled that this is our reality. And I’m disappointed at inferences from current and former state leaders and those who say they support public education that school districts are somehow responsible for this state of affairs or can’t be trusted to act in the best interest of students.

As a CPA, I crunch numbers for a living and am a proponent of efficiency and accountability. Our district is sharing a superintendent this year, and I know many districts are sharing administrative functions. Generic claims of administrative bloat make for good sound bites but aren’t based in fact; it’s just more distraction.

Some communities are opting for consolidation to pool resources so they can better serve children.

But no amount of consolidation changes the fact that Oklahoma underfunds the education of its

children – our state is still the last in the region in per-student funding.

The children in my community can’t vote just yet, but as a board member, they are my most important constituents. That is true for every school board member in Oklahoma. We know our children deserve the best education possible, but our schools are struggling under the weight of growing enrollment, growing student needs and mandates as we grapple with the teacher shortage and funding cuts.

The work of improving schools is hard. Talk of vouchers and forced consolidation don’t advance the very important conversation we must have about how we make sure public schools can do the job for which they were created – to provide an outstanding education for every child. This hard work is the job of local school board members, communities and our elected leaders at the state level. Together, this is the most important conversation we can tackle.

The focus of SQ 779 was teacher pay because no educational resource is more important than the classroom teacher. As a new legislative session begins, I hope those who insisted there was a better way to make sure every child has a highly qualified classroom teacher will work with the education community in making this issue the top priority. 

Roger Edenborough was elected as President of OSSBA at the Delegate Assembly, Aug. 27, 2016. He is a board member from Goodwell Public Schools and serves as the Region 1 Director for OSSBA. 6

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Christy Watson, OSSBA Director of Communications and Marketing

The gap is growing between what Oklahoma invests in public education compared to neighboring states, according to the latest school finance data from the National Center for Education Statistics.

STATE

TOTAL SPENDING

ENROLLMENT

PER PUPIL

DEFICIT*

KANSAS

$6,115,313,000

496,440

$12,318

$2,179,247,397

MISSOURI

$10,581,630,000

918,288

$11,523

$1,637,098,060

ARKANSAS

$5,363,125,000

489,979

$10,946

$1,243,267,578

NEW MEXICO

$3,727,787,000

339,244

$10,989

$1,272,512,403

COLORADO

$9,373,238,000

876,999

$10,688

$1,067,509,442

TEXAS

$53,515,942,000

5,153,702

$10,384

$860,313,459

OKLAHOMA

$6,219,983,000

681,848

$9,122

REGION

For the 2013-2014 school year, Oklahoma had total spending of $9,122 per student – an amount that includes that includes capital outlay. The average total per-student spending of surrounding states was $11,141. The $2,019 gap is $126 higher than the prior year.

$11,141 (AVG) $1,376,658,056 (AVG)

Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Oct. 2016 *The investment deficit is how much Oklahoma would have to invest to reach the per-pupil investment of other states.

Oklahoma would need to spend about $860 million on public education just to catch the per-student spending of the next closest state – Texas.

Kansas led all states in the region at $12,318 per student. The national average in 2013-2014 was nearly $12,500 per student.

The gap is a large contributor to Oklahoma’s teacher shortage crisis, said Shawn Hime, executive director of the Oklahoma State School Boards Association. Oklahoma pays its teachers less than almost any other state. As of late October, the state Board of Education had approved more than 1,000 emergency teaching certificates for the second consecutive year.

Districts also have reported growing class sizes and cuts to elective courses. 

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Rooney Virgin, OSSBA Director of Legislative Services and Staff Attorney

The 2016 elections are over. What are you, the school board member, supposed to do now? Well, hopefully you know who your legislator is. Many school districts across the state have a new representative or senator.

Nearly one-third of the legislature turned over. The Oklahoma House of Representatives will have 32 new faces among 101 people on Feb. 6 when the 56th legislature convenes. The Oklahoma Senate will have 13 new faces out of 48 senators. That’s an enormous amount of new lawmakers to get to know. Among the freshman class are several former school board members and educators. So, who are the new people?

As school board members, it is incumbent upon you to lead by example on your board, in the community and at home. Do not wait until OSSBA sends a legislative alert to contact your legislator. Do it right now. If it’s someone new, please call or email them and introduce yourself. Give them your contact information, invite them to coffee and tell them that if they have any questions about education laws, to give you a call. Remember, OSSBA is here to help if you have questions. Most importantly, tell your legislator how the proposed law will affect YOUR school district.

Election results for the November elections are available on the state election board website. You can view the results by going to www.ok.gov/elections.

Click on the link for the November 8 General Election.

Right now, it’s a safe bet that the legislature will try to find a way to provide teachers with a much-needed pay raise and more money to go to the classroom.

Don’t wait to make contact with your legislators to address important educational issues! 

A few races were decided in the primary, a few open seats unopposed, but the majority were decided on Nov. 8. In the Senate, the Republicans gained three seats. The Senate is now made up of 42 Republicans and six Democrats with Senator Mike Schulz of Altus serving as President Pro Tempore- designate.

Republicans gained four seats, picking up six Democrat seats, and the Democrats picked up two Republican seats. The makeup of the House will now be 75 Republicans and 26 Democrats with Representative Charles McCall of Atoka the Speaker designate.

Organizational Day for the 56th Oklahoma Legislature is Jan. 3, 2017. This is where leadership positions and committee chairs are chosen and the Speaker and President Pro Tempore positions become official after votes. Other leadership positions include Senator Greg Treat of Oklahoma City as Floor Leader, and Senator Kim David of Porter as Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. The bill request deadline is Dec. 9, with bill introductions Jan. 19; there is no time to waste in getting to know your lawmaker.

Lawmakers want to know you, too. There are so many different areas of law that it is impossible to be an expert on all of them. Legislators need people to turn to for help on these issues, and you should be that person on educational issues.

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Christy Watson, OSSBA Director of Communications and Marketing

Oklahoma voters soundly defeated State Question 779, a ballot measure for a statewide penny sales tax dedicated to public education. The measure received 582,505 yes votes (40.59 percent) and 852,641 no votes (59.41 percent).

According to unofficial results from the State Election Board, the question carried in only eight of

legislature reconvenes in February. We have no time to lose. We can’t continue putting underqualified, underprepared teachers in our classrooms and burdening our veteran teachers with exploding class sizes and fewer resources. Our teachers and children deserve better.”

OSSBA’s board of directors – a 32-member board of school board members selected by their peers across the state – unanimously endorsed the question last fall. OSSBA member districts also approved passage of SQ779 as one of the association’s legislative goals at the OSSBA Delegate Assembly in August.

We have no time to lose. We can’t continue putting underqualified, underprepared teachers in our classrooms and burdening our veteran teachers with exploding class sizes and fewer resources. the state’s 77 counties – Jefferson, Johnston, Bryan, LeFlore, Ottawa, Harmon, Sequoyah and Comanche.

The question was supported by many education groups, as well as business and community leaders.

It was opposed by the Oklahoma Municipal League, many city leaders and a political action committee, which launched an aggressive advertising campaign in the final days before the election. It would have provided an estimated $427 million in new annual revenue for school districts to pay for a $5,000 teacher pay raise, other strategies to address teacher recruitment/retention and for academic initiatives targeted at improving reading, high school graduation rates and college readiness.

“The common message of those who opposed SQ 779 was that public education needs a long-term funding plan and resources to offer competitive teacher pay.

While I’m disappointed in the election outcome, the results clearly show Oklahomans are concerned about the teacher shortage and the underinvestment in our children’s education,” said Shawn Hime, OSSBA’s executive director.

“A collaborative effort between legislative, education, business and community leaders needs to begin now so a bipartisan education funding and teacher pay raise plan can be the first order of business when the 10

Addressing Oklahoma’s teacher shortage crisis was a primary focus of the state question. In the last two years, Oklahoma has issued more than 2,000 emergency teaching certificates despite eliminating more than 2,100 jobs during the same time period. School districts have reported growing class sizes and shrinking academic opportunities due to budget cuts and the inability to find qualified teachers for certain positions.

Over the last decade, enrollment in public schools has grown while funding has not kept pace.

According to the October 2016 report from the National Center for Education Statistics, Oklahoma’s total per student spending is about $2,000 behind other states in the region and $3,000 behind Kansas.

Oklahoma also is near the bottom of teacher pay rankings.

University of Oklahoma President David Boren, who served as the most vocal public champion for the tax, said he was disappointed but no less committed to a solution.

“We won’t stop fighting to keep great teachers in the classroom. We won’t stop fighting to improve funding for our schools. We won’t stop fighting for our children. Our work is not done,” Boren said. “We will continue to work on improving education in the state of Oklahoma. Our legislators should not rest until they come up with a plan to sufficiently invest in the next generation of Oklahomans.” 

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e k a u q h t r Ea Earthquakes occur as the result of movement under the earth’s surface. This movement is due to slipping fault lines, which are the edges of tectonic plates along the earth’s surface. Every state in our country is at some risk for earthquakes. Oklahoma, located near the New Madrid Seismic Zone in the central United States, is now second in the nation for the most number of earthquakes.

Scientists predict a 97 percent chance of a major earthquake in the New Madrid Seismic Zone at any time before 2035. Although earthquakes cannot be predicted, you can take numerous steps and precautions to prepare for an earthquake.

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The Sandner Group Claims Management for The Oklahoma Schools Risk Management Trust (OSRMT)

An initial step is to study the surroundings and designate safe places to take cover. Check if your building is earthquake resistant and conforms to local building codes. Determine if there are power lines or gas lines in the immediate vicinity. Know the location of any available generators, and learn how to properly use them. Create a First Aid Kit with a three-day supply of water and medication, as well as any important documents. It is also useful to have several loud whistles in the kit, which can be used to alert rescue personnel to your location. Store the First Aid Kit near a designated safe place, and check it once a year to ensure the kit remains functional.

Once a safe place is established, secure heavy items in the area that could fall and cause injury, such as bookshelves, mirrors and light fixtures.

Next, conduct regular practice drills and know how to “Drop, Cover, and Hold On”: drop to the floor, move under a sturdy piece of furniture and hold on until the shaking stops. If dropping to the floor is not possible, then dropping down next to an interior wall away from potential debris is another safe option.

These actions can help avoid serious injury and greatly increases the chances of survival.

If an earthquake occurs, you must act quickly.

Serious earthquakes are usually marked by a roaring or rumbling sound that gradually grows louder, and may include a violent jolt, followed by the ground shaking. The ground shaking may make moving difficult. Although earthquakes typically last less than a minute, they can cause massive amounts of damage.

Ideally, you will be able to get to a designated safe space and drop down to your hands and knees and cover your neck and head. If the safe space is inaccessible or unsafe to reach, then drop down to the floor to avoid being knocked down. Cover your neck and head with your arms to protect yourself and stay where you are until the shaking stops.

Avoid glass, windows, outside doors and walls and anything that could fall, including light fixtures or furniture. Do not stand in a doorway: they do not offer any more protection from falling or flying debris than other areas in the building. Doors can also swing, which can cause injury.

If you are outdoors when an earthquake occurs, move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires. The exterior walls and doorways of a building pose the greatest danger from falling debris. Windows, facades and architectural details are usually the first parts of a building that collapse.

Once safely away from the building and out in the open, then “Drop, Cover, and Hold On.”

When the earthquake has stopped, locate a clear path to safety and proceed away from damaged areas. Be aware of your surroundings. Downed power lines are extremely dangerous, always assume downed power lines are live. Do not touch the power line or anything in contact with it. Call 911 or notify the nearest emergency personnel so they can handle the situation safely.

If you become trapped in a building following an earthquake, try not to panic. Don’t kick up dirt or dust by trying to move around. If you have a working cell phone, try calling or texting for help.

Tap on a pipe or use a whistle from the First Aid Kit so rescuers can find you. Once safe, pay close attention to cell phone alerts, media reports or emergency bulletins. They may include further instructions from authorities. Be prepared to “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” in the likely occurrence of earthquake aftershocks.

Earthquakes often damage nearby gas lines, which may cause fires and explosions. Refrain from using matches, lighters or appliances until you are sure there are no gas leaks. If you smell gas, call 911 or notify emergency authorities immediately.

Power outages are not uncommon following earthquakes. If the power is out, locate an available generator to provide electricity. Use the generator outdoors and follow all operating instructions.

Never operate a generator indoors. Generators create carbon monoxide, which can incapacitate and kill people. Opening doors or windows will not prevent a build-up of carbon monoxide. Keep the generator outdoors and protect it from moisture to avoid shocks or electrocution. Operate the generator on a dry surface under an open canopy, such as a tarp held up on poles. Do not use the generator while it is raining and do not touch the generator with wet hands.

Finally, be sure to contact authorities in your area and learn the emergency procedures that have been established by the state and local government.

These invaluable resources can give you information crucial to your safety and the safety of those around you. Visit the website www.ready.gov or www.emergency.cdc.gov for tips on ensuring safety during earthquakes and other natural disasters. For additional risk management information, contact your Loss Control Specialist. © Copyright 2016 The Sandner Group Claims Management. All rights reserved. 

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Wellness and Health School Wellness Policy School districts have been required to have wellness policies for several years. However, new rules that took effect on July 29, 2016, require an additional level of customization to each individual school district’s specific wellness policy. Your school district is required to have an updated and revised wellness plan in place by June 30, 2017. Your school district cannot use a cookie-cutter policy for this requirement. All policies must be unique to each school district.

Within the policy, the board of education will need to designate and establish “wellness policy leadership” of one or more school officials who have the authority and responsibility to ensure that the school complies with the policy. The district is required to obtain stakeholder participation in the development of the policy, periodic assessment of the policy compliance, and public updates on the progress towards achieving the goals of the wellness policy. As a result, it is imperative that the district begins addressing how this will be done to comply with new federal requirements.

Wellness and the Legislature The Oklahoma Legislature put into law “Healthy and Fit Kids Advisory Committees” in 2004. Oklahoma’s law provides as follows: 14

Oklahoma Statutes Citationized

Title 70. Schools Section 24-100a - Healthy and Fit Kids Act of 2004 A. This act shall be known and may be cited as the “Healthy and Fit Kids Act of 2004.”

B. Beginning September 1, 2004, each public school shall establish a Healthy and Fit School Advisory Committee, to be composed of at least six members. The Advisory Committee may be composed of teachers, administrators, parents of students, health care professionals and business community representatives.

A public school may combine the Healthy and Fit School Advisory Committee with its Safe School Committee, established pursuant to Section 24-100.5 of this title.

C. Each Healthy and Fit School Advisory Committee shall study and make recommendations to the school principal regarding: 1. Health education; 2. Physical education and physical activity; and 3. Nutrition and health services.

D. The principal shall give consideration to recommendations of the committee.

Julie L. Miller, OSSBA Deputy Executive Director and General Counsel

E. The State Board of Education shall adopt rules for monitoring compliance with this section and is authorized to report a school as deficient on the accreditation report for noncompliance with the provisions of this section.

At this time, the school board and administration may consider convening the district’s Healthy and Fit Kids Advisory Committee to review the district’s existing policy and make recommendations as to changes that may need to be made. In addition to the members of the Healthy and Fit Kids Advisory Committee, child nutrition employees, physical education teachers, school health employees, students and members of the public should be involved in this process. This policy cannot be “borrowed” from another school as the district is required to adopt a specialized plan that is developed by stakeholders within the school district.

Please consider getting your stakeholders as soon as possible to begin this process. The administration and the board of education will then review recommendations and adopt a final policy prior to the June deadline. The district must make the policy available to the public and may choose how to do so. In addition to the rule suggestions, consider the

placement on the school district’s website and/or publication in a local newspaper.

What to Include in the Policy There are five wellness policy elements that must be included within the wellness policy required by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (HHFKA) which is also known as Public Law 111-296.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Nutrition Education School Meals Physical Activity Implementation and Evaluation Competitive Foods

Sample Policy Available Sample OSSBA Policy CO is available through the OSSBA policy services program. Please contact Julie Miller at juliem@ossba.org or Arlene Kostura at arlenek@ossba.org for information as to how you may access this sample policy. Please note that within the sample there are directions and spaces left for the district to include the specialized plan recommended by the school district’s Healthy and Fit Kids Advisory Committee and others which will then be adopted by the board of education. 

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In Oklahoma, athletics are a part of the public-school experience. Many students participate in one or more athletic activities during their time as a student. While athletic participation can provide many benefits to student-athletes it can also expose them to risks. The Oklahoma Legislature, in order to protect studentathletes, has passed three different laws intended to reduce risks students-athletes face.

Head Injuries and Concussions Head injuries and concussions was the first area of risk addressed by the legislature. The law was first passed in 2010. It requires the Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association to work with school districts in creating procedures and documents to inform student-athletes and parents with information regarding head injuries and concussions. The law was amended this year in SB 1164 and expanded the requirements for training and participation.

The revised law requires the Oklahoma Department of Health to create a concussion management section on its website to provide the guidelines necessary for each school board and youth sports organization to develop policies and procedures regarding head injuries and concussions. Each policy must include a concussion and head injury information sheet for game officials, team officials, student-athletes, parents or guardians and other person having care or charge of athletes, “return to learn” guidelines for teachers and school personnel, “graduated stepwise return to athletic participation” guidelines for team officials and links to one or more free online concussion training programs. The new law requires schools to inform and educate coaches, game officials, team official, student-athletes and parents or guardians of the nature and risk of concussions and head injuries, including playing after a concussion or head injury. A concussion and head injury information sheet must be given to the student-athlete and the parent or guardian of the student-athlete each year.

The student-athlete and the parent or guardian of the student-athlete must acknowledge receipt and understanding of the information prior to participating in practice or competition.

The biggest change made in the amended law was 16

to increase the responsibility of game and team officials to monitor the care and safety of a studentathlete participating in an athletic event. Game and team officials must now undergo annual concussion training. If a game or team official becomes aware or suspects a student-athlete is exhibiting signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with having sustained a concussion or head injury, the official must remove the student-athlete from the practice or competition. If removed, the student-athlete cannot return to practice or competition until a health care provider gives written clearance. School boards must establish penalties for team or game officials who fail to remove a student-athlete who is exhibiting signs or symptoms of a concussion or head injury. The minimum penalty for the first violation is additional concussion recognition and management education. For the second violation, the official will be suspended from the sport until appearing before the governing board. A school board cannot impose monetary fines.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest Sudden cardiac arrest was the second area of risk addressed by the legislature. The Chase Morris Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act was passed during the 2015 Legislative Session. Since July 1, 2015, the date when the law went into effect, every coach of an athletic activity must complete a sudden cardiac arrest training course offered by a provider approved by the Oklahoma State Department of Health before being allowed to coach.

If a student-athlete collapses or faints while participating in an athletic activity, the coach must remove the student-athlete from participation. The student-athlete must be removed even if there was not a head injury. The student-athlete is not allowed to return to participation until evaluated and cleared by a health care provider.

Prior to participation in an athletic activity, the student-athlete and the parent or guardian of the student-athlete will need to review the “Athlete/ Parent/Guardian Sudden Cardiac Arrest Symptoms and Warning Signs Information Sheet” developed by the state health and education departments. This must

Kim Bishop, Staff Attorney

be signed as an acknowledgement form indicating that they have received and reviewed the information sheet prior to participation.

Eligibility The first two areas of risk addressed by the Legislature related to the physical health and safety of studentathletes. The third area relates to a different type of risk faced by student-athletes. It focuses on the impact that certain actions by individuals can have on the academic and financial eligibility of a studentathlete to participate in collegiate level sports.

HB 2615, which was passed this year by the Legislature and went into effect on November 1, 2016, prohibits a person from offering money or anything of value to a student-athlete or a member of their immediate family that would persuade or encourage the student-athlete to attend a certain college or participate in a college sporting event or program.

It also prohibits a person from taking certain action that could cause the student-athlete to lose a college athletic scholarship or lose their collegiate eligibility.

It creates fines and a right of action for any violation.

The new law includes a provision requiring high schools in Oklahoma to advise student-athletes about the school of this law and to provide those studentathletes with information concerning the effect of receiving money or other things of value on their collegiate eligibility. Schools are required to provide the information to student-athletes in writing at the beginning of each sports season. This requirement does not apply to intramural athletic programs sponsored by the school.

In order to comply with this new requirement, school districts will need to develop an information sheet or document containing the required information that can be provided to student-athletes. The information sheet or document may be provided to the studentathletes in paper or electronic format. Either way will work as long as it is in written form.

For the past few years, schools have been provided students with information sheets regarding concussions, head injuries and sudden cardiac arrest.

Schools may need to update concussion and head injuries information and provide students with information sheets regarding collegiate eligibility. If you have any questions about the laws and school district requirements, contact any OSSBA attorney. ď Ž

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Volunteering for school board service means devoting your time, already in short supply, to benefit the children in your community. Finding time for your own professional development can be difficult.

That’s why OSSBA offers multiple avenues for learning through our annual convention, workshops across the state, region meetings, whole board development sessions and webinars.

On-site meetings bring an opportunity for networking and learning ­ not only from our outstanding presenters ­ but also from fellow Oklahoma board members and administrators. These attendees offer years of experience and bring new ideas to incorporate into your board work. While personal connections and interactions have proven invaluable, it’s not always possible for everyone to physically attend OSSBA events.

Webinars fill the gap and offer another way to learn important information and obtain required board credits. OSSBA offers year-round Webinar Wednesdays, covering hot topics and frequently requested subject matter. Webinar Wednesdays are conveniently held at noon so those taking a brown bag lunch hour can learn live.

Even more flexible are OSSBA’s recorded webinars.

Once you register and receive your login information for one of the recorded webinars, you can view it 24/7, even in your PJs at home. If there are areas you would like to review, you can simply back up and watch again. While the live webinar advantage of asking questions during the presentation is not possible, the information is undoubtedly worthwhile.

S T U D E N T F O C U S E D D E S IGN W W W .K K T A R C HIT EC T S.C OM

TO THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE

W W W. B A N C F I R S T. C O M 18

Terri Silver, OSSBA Director of Board Development

The new OSSBA member portal makes webinar and event registration easy. You can complete your registration through the portal in just a couple of clicks or, for your convenience, superintendents and their designee can also register others from their district.

1. Go to our website at www.ossba.org and click on the member portal link on the upper right side. You will then be directed to the portal login page.

2. On the login page, enter your username and password. If you have not received login information for the portal, just give us a call at 888.528.3571 or email terris@ossba.org. We’ll make sure you’re set up.

3. Next, in the dropdown menu under events, you’ll select your registration option.

4. In the pictured example, we opened past webinars. Click on the arrow next to the webinar title and the dropdown will show the variety of past webinars available for viewing.

to use the member portal, we’ve got you covered!

Once you login to the portal, video instructions are on the first page.

We encourage you to try all our professional development opportunities for a well-rounded and fulfilling board experience. At OSSBA, we are here to serve you and support your vital work for Oklahoma’s children. Contact us anytime with ideas and suggestions to make our board development better for you. Thank you for serving on your local board of education!

Questions about webinars? Contact Terri Silver at terris@ossba.org or 405.528.3571. 

5. After you select your webinar, your account name (district) and your name (attendee) will automatically be entered. All you have to do now is click register!

6. You must complete this simple process for each webinar or event. After you have finished your registration, click on the shopping cart (on the blue ribbon next to events) to finish the transaction — the same as purchasing any item online.

7. You will receive a confirmation for each item ordered. The confirmation for the webinars will also have a link to the webinar and a password for access. When you are finished viewing the webinar, be sure to e-mail Lisa Deaton at lisad@ossba.org to receive proper credit.

If you would like video instructions of how 19

One of the services OSSBA offers for our members is Monday Night Legal. From 4:30 to 9 p.m. on the first two Monday nights of each month, I am available to take calls from board members and superintendents to answer questions that may come up during the board meeting. The majority of the calls I receive relate to procedural matters and meeting protocols.

In order to have a productive board meeting, all board members should be prepared and informed on the issues to be discussed.

The first thing that board members should do is review the agenda. Does the agenda accurately set forth the proper date, time and specific location of the board meeting? If these items are not properly on the posted agenda, then the meeting should not be held. If there are items you would like to see placed on the agenda, follow your district policy to request the item be placed on the agenda in sufficient time for it to be considered.

It would be beneficial for board members to have access to the board agenda and packet at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. More time is even better.

This is so you can review the agenda and be prepared to discuss the items listed. The encumbrance listing should show you and the public the amount of each proposed expenditure, the purpose of the expenditure and to whom the money will be paid.

The information should be included on the agenda in some manner. Board members must have complete information in order to make informed votes on the expenditure of public funds, and the public has a right to know the details of the expenditures.

If contracts or other documents will be discussed at a board meeting, even if the discussion will be brief, you should access copies of the documents and review them before attending the meeting.

Otherwise, time is wasted when board members are forced to review the documents and attempt to engage in discussion of them on the spot. Reviewing

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Stephanie Mather, OSSBA Director of Legal Information and Staff Attorney

the documents ahead of time allows board members to carefully review the documents, make notes of issues they see with the documents and come to the meeting prepared to discuss them. For example, if the district is considering leasing a building, each board member should receive a copy of the proposed lease to review before the meeting where the lease will be discussed.

unified motion and vote of the board. The purpose of the consent agenda is to expedite business and streamline the meeting. There is no discussion of items on a consent agenda. If clarification of an item is necessary, then you should request that the item be removed from the consent agenda and considered by the board as a separate motion. If any board member makes such a request, it must be granted.

If someone has an agenda-item related question, contact the superintendent before the scheduled board meeting to address it. The superintendent may require time to get information from other staff, so make sure your request is timely.

Remember that the board can only discuss and take action on items that are specifically listed on the agenda, unless the item qualifies as new business.

“New business” is a matter that was not known about or could not have been known about prior to the time required to post the agenda. This does not consist of items that someone wishes had been placed on the agenda or simply forgot to put on the agenda.

Carefully review and understand the treasurer’s report and documentation. In these times of declining state revenues, it is incumbent upon each board member to be vigilant that finances are carefully guarded.

Understand the consent agenda. A consent agenda is an item listed on the regular agenda that groups routine items under one agenda heading. Routine items, such as accepting donations, approving minutes of the last meeting, approving bids and renewing contracts, can be approved by a single

An unprepared board member can make for a frustrating board meeting experience and leave other board members unmotivated and stressed. The only way for a board meeting to run successfully is if all members of the board prepare for the meeting.

Make sure the procedures at your district ensure each board member receives full and complete information in a timely manner to adequately prepare. 

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Get more information at www.ossba.org/partnership-opportunities 22

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Online Policy Program a service of the Oklahoma State School Boards Association

OSSBA is offering a reduction in the cost of placing your policy manual online. The first year fees have been reduced as follows: Policy Pages

Conversion Fee

Hosting Fee

Total Cost

<300

$1000.00

$700.00

$1,700.00

300 to 500

$1450.00

$1000.00

$2,450.00

501 to 700

$1,700.00

$1,300.00

$3,000.00

The reduced prices will save districts over $200 in fees associated with the placement of your school districtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s policy manual online. In future years, all the district would pay is the annual hosting fee. Please contact Julie Miller at juliem@ossba.org or call 888-528-3571 for more information.

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With the recent state revenue failure, many Oklahoma schools are looking at eliminating positions through a reduction in force (RIF). With a RIF comes unemployment liability up to $10,900 per claim. OPSUCA membership can help your school district minimize potentially costly unemployment liability. OPSUCA is here specifically to help Oklahoma schools with unemployment claims! Not only is our primary goal to save your school money, but we also save time and frustration by doing the work for you!

www.ossba.org/opsuca 405.528.3571 â&#x20AC;˘ jessicas@ossba.org 24

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A stack of school board meeting information piled high on your desk is so yesterday.

Change the way your board does business with eMeeting, the Oklahoma State School Board Association’s user-friendly service that will bring your board meetings into the 21st century! eMeeting is a minutes clerk’s best friend! The service eliminates the need for the time-consuming and expensive work of printing and delivering board packets. It also dramatically reduces the time the clerk spends preparing meeting minutes.

A search feature also allows administrators and board members to easily locate information from prior board meetings.

With eMeeting, board meetings become a breeze, too!

During a meeting, board members can log-in to a password-protected site to:

• Make electronic notes related to any agenda; • Cast an electronic vote (if enabled for your district).

Designed especially for school boards, use eMeeting to: • Create a meeting agenda that’s accessible on any device or computer with an internet connection; • Develop and publish online board meeting notices, agendas, attachments, and minutes for meeting participants; • Automatically email board members when the online agenda and back-up materials are ready to review; • Post meeting info that is easily accessible to the public; • Build a searchable archive of meeting information.

• View the online agenda and attachments during the meeting;

For more information, contact Christy Watson, OSSBA Director of Communications and Marketing, at christyw@ossba.org or 405.528.3571.

Oklahoma State School Boards Association 2801 North Lincoln Blvd., Ste. 125 Oklahoma City, OK 73105 405.528.3571 • 888.528.3571 405.528.5695 fax • www.ossba.org

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID OKLA. CITY, OK PERMIT NO. 1049

IS YOUR DISTRICT LOOKING FOR A NEW SUPERINTENDENT? LET OSSBA HELP! As a school board member, you’ll do nothing more important than selecting a superintendent to lead your district, be an ambassador for public education in your community and ensure your local children receive a top-notch education.

Districts that choose OSSBA’s executive search services are backed by an entire team of dedicated professionals. Our team includes former superintendents who understand what to look for in recruiting applicants. OSSBA’s experts in school and employment law offer valuable guidance for boards throughout the entire search process. A talented team of marketing professionals will help highlight why your district is an amazing place to work and draw applicants who are a good fit for your district.

we’re ready to put our talent to work for you.

Contact Us: 405.528.3571 • shawnh@ossba.org • stephanieh@ossba.org