Go science! That’s the phrase Vestavia Hills High School science teacher Jennifer Brown used to celebrate new Alabama-crafted standards for science education that emphasize applied learning. The 2015-16 Alabama Teacher of the Year cheered on the standards as incentive to treat science as a verb.

Thursday’s state Board of Education meeting was the second in which public comment overwhelmingly supported the Alabama Science Course of Study, which the state board unanimously approved. It is thought that extending the time to collect public opinion and tweaking the proposal in response to relevant concerns eased the approval process.

In his report, state Superintendent of Education Dr. Tommy Bice discussed the ongoing second special legislative session to shore up the beleaguered General Fund. He stressed, “There is no surplus”. The use of education dollars as a temporary General Fund fix is not the solution, he added. Bills the state Department of Education could support passed out of House committee on Sept. 9, he said. But Bice told state board members the search for a General Fund solution “is a moving target.”

After adjourning, board members and Bice joined ex-officio state board President Gov. Robert Bentley to publicly announce good news about Alabama’s work to increase college and career readiness. According to A+ College Ready, Alabama is top-ranked in the nation in the percentage growth of students achieving qualifying scores on math, science and English AP exams over the last seven years.

Shortly thereafter, the board reconvened in a work session to hear results of a deep look at how Alabama’s schools are funded and to get an update on proposed rules regarding dyslexic students.

In October, the board is expected to vote on new administrative rules regarding dyslexia-specific screening, intervention and progress monitoring. The current draft addressed fears about an unfunded mandate. The state primarily will absorb costs for training teachers in appropriate instruction and evidence-based interventions. In addition, the state-board appointed Dyslexia Advisory Council will develop a resource guide.

In 2013, Augenblick, Palaich and Associates set out to study how Alabama funds K-12. The study found equity and adequacy concerns not surprising to many in education. For example, there are haves and have nots, and funding is not cost-sensitive to district size. Another issue is it costs more to educate at-risk, career tech, pre-kindergarten, gifted and special education students as well as English language learners. However, the correlation between student need and education spending in state is very low. Many states in the South are moving away from funding systems based on student-teacher ratios and a statewide salary schedule, but Alabama has this kind of funding system.

The study also looked at 13 successful Alabama school systems and found they spend in the neighborhood of $7,170 per student on the basics: instruction, administration and building maintenance and operations. Capital needs and transportation aren’t included in that base amount. Researchers also asked 15 diverse panels for their professional judgment on what the basics would cost per student, and they suggest $8,072.

There are more state board discussions to come on the study, which included three recommendations and a bit of encouragement.

1. Consider shifting to a funding model that is student-based ˗̶  one that truly takes into account student need and allows school systems more flexibility.

2. Consider equalizing local tax efforts by using state funding to help shrink the gap between communities that can generate local revenue and communities with less capacity to do so.

3. Consider new revenue to fund education, so school systems can better meet academic expectations. 

As for that bit of encouragement Justin Silverstein of Augenblick, Palaich and Associates said getting to the adequacy and equity recommended in the study will take time. A worthwhile journey it seems, since he said this “allows districts to make better choices about how to better serve their students.”

The next state board meeting will be in Montgomery Oct. 8 at 10:30 a.m., and a 1 p.m. work session will follow.

 

Optimal learning environment the focus of October conference

AASB will host an Oct. 4 and 5 conference on Leadership to Create the Optimal Learning Environment at The Renaissance Montgomery in downtown Montgomery. The learning environment is more than just bricks and mortar. That’s why board members need to learn strategies for optimizing the educational environment for students.

The conference will feature top-notch speakers. Among them are Elizabeth H. Huntley, J.D., who is of counsel for Lightfoot, Franklin & White and author of the motivating memoir More Than A Bird. Huntley, an acclaimed speaker on the power of excellent teachers in the lives of young children, will sign books at the conference. Dr. Tim Hodges, director of research for GALLUP’s Education Practice and an expert on employee engagement, will deliver a presentation as well.

Board members will receive 6 hours of credit in the AASB School Board Member Academy and satisfy a core course requirement. Hours apply toward the state training requirement.  

Conference-goers should stay over for the Oct. 5 post-conference workshop Friending Social Media . Bring your devices. Members will earn 2 training hours. For more, visit AlabamaSchoolBoards.org . 

Time to vote for AASB District 2 director

 The deadline to choose your nominee for District 2 director is Oct. 31. Boards should select a candidate during board meeting and postmark the official ballot, signed by the board president, by the deadline. Please return the ballot to AASB Executive Director Sally Smith, P.O. Drawer 230488, Montgomery, AL 36123. The candidates include Kirit Chapatwala of Selma and Mike Oakley of Bibb County.

Congratulations go to District 4 Director Gwen Harris-Brooks of Lanett, District 6 Director Kathy Landers of Talladega County and District 8 Director Karen Duke of Decatur. They were not contested in their bid for re-election and will serve a second term. The directors begin their new term at the close of the Dec. 3-5 AASB Annual Convention in Birmingham

 

Doyle and Woosley nominated for officer positions

The AASB 2015 Nominating Committee met this month to consider candidates to recommend as AASB president and vice president. Pam Doyle of the Alabama School of Math and Science and current AASB vice president is the committee’s nominee for president. No other names for that position were put forth. The committee selected James Woosley of the Satsuma school board as its nominee for vice president. Woosley is currently director of AASB District 1. Incoming officers must earn their final nod at the December AASB Delegate Assembly. New officers begin their term at the close of the AASB Annual Convention.

 

Still time to attend AASB Fall District Meetings, end Sept. 21

The AASB Fall District Meetings, Virtual Vision & Legislative Litmus , are under way, but there is still time for you to attend. Members are allowed to attend any meeting they choose, even if it’s outside their district. Attend to enjoy a training program worth 1 hour in the AASB School Board Member Academy.

The district meeting program includes a live survey on some of the issues expected to take center stage during the 2016 legislative session. Also, by the fall of 2016, every Alabama school system must offer some form of online learning for students. Learn how other school systems created virtual programs that meet their students’ needs in new and creative ways.

The $25 cost includes your meal. The meetings all begin at 6 p.m. central time with the exception of District 5, which begins at 5:30 p.m. Register today .

The remaining district meeting dates and locations are:

·  District 9 - Sept. 14 in Huntsville at Huntsville Center for Technology;

·  District 8 - Sept. 15 in Florence at Marriott Shoals;

·  District 5 - Sept. 17 in Birmingham at Alabama School of Fine Arts;

·  District 3 - Sept. 21 in Ozark at Hoppergrass Restaurant.

 

Don’t forget your AASB membership card

Wondering how to get an AASB membership card? The cards are available upon request from current members. In addition to serving as a handy reference for contacting AASB, the card entitles you (non-transferable) to free admission to any state championship playoff game sponsored by the Alabama High School Athletic Association if a school in your system is competing. The free admission is not a violation of the state Ethics Law. To request your card, call 800/562-0601 or email membership@ AlabamaSchoolBoards.org .

 

Congratulations to the 2015 All-State winners

The All-State School Board Member award, one of AASB’s highest honors, celebrates the work of Alabama school board members who have exhibited exemplary boardmanship. AASB will honor the 2015 honorees at an awards luncheon during the annual convention in December. The honorees are Eddie Chambers of Henry County, Renee Clark of Saraland, Jerry Groce of Russellville, Mark Nelson of Tuscaloosa County and Melissa Snowden of Montgomery County.

 

Considering a board compensation adjustment?

Under Alabama law, school board members are allowed to receive up to $600 in monthly compensation, unless set higher by local act. At their annual meeting in November, county school boards may review whether adjustments to board member compensation should be made. To adjust member pay, the boards must vote to do so at the annual meeting. Any such increase would take effect for the whole board the next time a member begins a new term of office. Consult with your board attorney and review local acts, policy and state law related to compensation and annual meetings.

 

Join the Federal Relations Network

The National School Boards Association’s Federal Relations Network involves local school board members like you from every congressional district in the country who are committed to grassroots advocacy for public education. FRN membership is open to all school board members and gives you an opportunity to help make public education a top priority of the federal government by receiving timely information from NSBA.

FRN members may also apply to join AASB to attend National School Boards Advocacy Institute in Washington, D.C., annually to be briefed on federal issues and meet with their congressmen. The next institute will be Jan. 24-26. The cost of the trip may be covered by your local board. For additional information or to apply, please contact advocacy@AlabamaSchoolBoards.org . 

Two weeks left to save on whole board training

If you can squeeze in a whole board training soon, AASB will give you 10 percent off your 2016 state-required whole board training. The early bird discount ends Sept. 30.

Alabama requires 2 hours of interactive, facilitated whole board training by June 30 each year. To participate in this promotion, the AASB-provided whole board training must occur in September. Call and we’ll work with your schedule. The regular training fee ranges from $500 to $900 (plus mileage).

There are other ways to save. School boards in a region can share the cost of bringing AASB to your area to provide training for several boards at one time. A school board hoping to avoid travel costs may invite AASB to provide training at a board retreat to complete the 6 hours of state-required continuing education for all members, which could include the 2-hour whole board training.

 

Alabama’s Best contest entries wanted, $5,000 in prizes

LEAN Frog, in association with AASB, is proud to announce its second annual contest for Alabama public schools. This year’s Alabama’s Best contest has been expanded to include non-instructional best practices and innovations in instructional departments.

The contest is open to all Alabama public school systems. Systems may submit up to three entries describing a best practice in their departments. Entry forms, rules and regulations, evaluation criteria and further details are available on the LEAN Frog website .

The contest runs through Oct. 15. The winning entry will receive $3,000. Two second place entries will receive $1,000 each. Award presentations will be made during the AASB Annual Convention in Birmingham. In addition to the cash prizes, the winning media presentations will be recognized during the Dec. 5 awards ceremony.

 

Prudential seeks applicants for 2016 awards

Prudential Financial, in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals, is seeking student applicants for the 2016 Spirit of Community Awards, the largest youth recognition program based exclusively on volunteer community service in the United States. The program’s goals are to applaud young people who already are making a positive difference in their towns and neighborhoods and to inspire others to think about how they might contribute to their communities. Students must submit their application to the school principal or designated school official by Nov. 3. For details, call 877/525-8491 or visit spirit.prudential.com.

 

Submit names of delegates by Nov. 3

On Dec. 3 at The Hyatt Regency Birmingham-The Wynfrey Hotel, representatives of the state's local boards of education will gather for AASB’s annual business meeting at 6 p.m. and an orientation for new delegates at 5:30 p.m. Delegate Assembly occurs just prior to the annual convention. School boards are asked to elect their delegates and alternates by Nov. 3 and email their names to Cassandra White, cwhite@AlabamaSchoolBoards.org .

 

It’s a date!

 

Sept. 14, 15, 17 & 21

(1 hour)

Fall District Meetings

 

Oct. 4 & 5 (6 hours)

Optimal Learning Environment

Core Conference

 

Oct. 5 (2 hours)

Social Media Workshop

 

Nov. 5 (1.5 hours)

Webinar

 

 

 

— Denise Berkhalter and Emily Maxwell

contributed to this report.

 

Get connected or join the national

 “ army of advocates ” today!

Take a stand for public schools.

More at StandUp4PublicSchools.org .