LISTEN TO SCHOOL CALENDAR WEBINAR
SUPERINTENDENT CALLS FOR 180 DAYS

On May 17, 2012, state Superintendent of Education Dr. Tommy Bice led a webinar to bring superintendents up to date on issues related to the new mandates for school calendars. While he stressed that he believes the calendar should be a local decision, Dr. Bice urged school boards and superintendents to choose a calendar that provides 180 days for students. His recommendation is based on a number of legal and practical concerns.

• Click here to listen to the audio (may take installs)
• Click here to view the state superintendent's presentation
• Click here to view attorney Whit Colvin's presentation

ACADEMY: SUMMER CONFERENCE
TRANSFORMING EDUCATION IN ALABAMA

Join AASB on June 24-26 for Summer Conference, which includes a variety of general session topics on the theme Retool Your Schools: Transforming Education in Alabama. Also receive a recap of the legislative session and enjoy a free, bonus update on the Students First Act. The AASB School Board Member Academy will present the Roles and Responsibilities Orientation June 23-24 for new board members who want an overview of the key work of school boards, school finance, ethics, legal and personnel issues and more. Also, the Alabama Council of School Board Attorneys seminar will be June 23-24. Register or Read More ...

2012 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
ETF BUDGET PROGRESSES

The House approved an education budget Thursday and the Senate rejected the House changes, which means a joint conference committee must meet on the final legislative day, Wednesday, May 16.  S.318 (Marsh)  The House approved the budget by a 83-18 vote with a plan that boosts K-12 funding for critical needs in the Foundation Program. 

STATE BOARD NEWS
ALABAMA TO SEEK WAIVER THAT FREEZES AYP GOALS FOR ONE YEAR

Alabama is applying to the U.S. Department of Education to freeze its progress goals for making adequate yearly progress under No Child Left Behind for a year. Nationwide, schools had been raising the bar annually to reach the 2014 goal of 100 percent proficiency in mathematics and science for all students.

WINNERS ANNOUNCED
'ACHIEVE EXCELLENCE' VIDEO CONTEST

The winners of AASB's statewide “How We Achieve Excellence in Our School” video contest are ...

• First place winner Cullman City High School wins $1,500 and a Bloggie Touch video camera,
• Second place winner Bullock County High School wins $1,000 and a Bloggie Touch video camera, and
• Third place winner Gadsden City High School wins $500 and a Bloggie Touch video camera.

AASB thanks each of the 20 Alabama public high schools that submitted entries. The contest was sponsored by AASB and Fairbanks LLC and by Alabama Public Television through an American Graduate grant funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The videos will be shown at the May 10 Alabama State Board of Education Meeting in downtown Montgomery at 9:30 a.m. and at the Dec. 8 AASB Annual Convention at 9:30 a.m.

Click here to watch the winning videos!

IPHONE & IPAD
DOWNLOAD FREE BOARDCAST APP

The Alabama Association of School Boards in partnership with High Ground Solutions (makers of SchoolCast) recently launched a new and improved version of the AASB BoardCast app for iPhone and iPad. Download it free from the App Store on your iPhone or iPad. View a map of the conference hotel, register for events, read the latest association newsletters, read the conference program, track bills in the legislature, follow AASB tweets & more!

Watch the how-to videos:

iPhone Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PrAI_8ZwQA

iPad Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SA2djM7jWMs

BOARD DEVELOPMENT: EFFECTIVE BOARDS
SIX STANDARDS FOR SCHOOL BOARDS

The Alabama Association of School Boards’ 6 Standards for School Boards encompass feedback from a committee of school board members, research-based characteristics of effective school boards, the fundamental responsibilities of school boards and widely held public values. Download the standards, their indicators and the actions effective boards take to meet these standards. AASB believes every school board should strive to be committed to, and accountable for, being effective in all six areas.

SERVICE: POLICY PIPELINE
SUBSCRIBE TO POLICY UPDATE SERVICE

Click here to download a complimentary copy of the first edition of AASB’s new Policy Pipeline subscription service. This new service is designed to help boards keep their policies current. This update covers 2010 and 2011 and provides guidance on policy changes needed as a result of legislation or litigation in these years. Contact us to find out the special introductory price for this subscription service. Subscribe for two years by June 1 to receive up to $200 off the regular subscription rate plus an additional 10 percent if your board has used AASB's policy review service. Annual updates will be available after July 1.

COURT REPORT
IMMUNITY/PERSONAL INJURY

In Ex parte Montgomery County Board of Education, a third-grade student was hurt after she tried to climb a restroom door that had become stuck. The child’s mother sued the board, its members in their official capacities and the child’s teacher in her individual and official capacity for negligence and wantonness. In response, the defendants claimed that they were immune.