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VSBA has many resources available to its members. Books, articles and magazines on many topics are available upon request. Please contact Kerri Lamb with your request.

Please take the time to view some of our FREE webstreaming videos or order school board resources (including instruction DVDs, education law books and the School Board Resource Directory).

Documents on this site are provided in the following formats:
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Workshop Handouts

 Available Formats
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School Budget Tool Kit

January 2010

    Discussion Topis:
  • Timeline for getting the public onboard
  • Getting the right message to the media
The video DVD is available for the workshop by visiting http://www.vtvsba.org/develop/dvd.html
Budget Toolkit Budget Tool Kit Budget Tool Kit

Governance Options and Enrollment Projection

April 2008

Find out why and how other districts/supervisory unions are studying governance change options. Learn more about projecting future student enrollment trends. The video DVD is available for the workshop by visiting http://www.vtvsba.org/develop/dvd.html
Part 1 Part 2
2008 Gov & Enrollment 2008 Gov & Enrollment
2008 Gov & Enrollment 2008 Gov & Enrollment

Passing the School Budget Workshop

January 2008

    Discussion Topis:
  • Key Assumptions
  • Education Funding
  • Cost Drivers
  • New in FY09
  • Data
  • Special Education
  • Income Sensitivity
  • The Presentation
The video DVD is available for the workshop by visiting http://www.vtvsba.org/develop/dvd.html
Passing the Budget Passing the Budget Passing the Budget

Conducting Board Hearings Workshop

December 2007

It seems that school boards are having to perform their quasi-judicial role responding to major student suspension/expulsion or teacher non-renewal hearings. More than ever before, questions often arise, like when the board should hire an attorney. Should the superintendent also employ a different attorney? Many times the student and family or teacher will have their own attorney. What is the role of the board chair orchestrating this complex legal proceeding? How can hearings provide the legal balance between due process rights and maintain the fiduciary viability of the district?

Learn mechanics and strategies for running effective school board hearings, including student discipline, employee grievance, and employee dismissal hearings. Experienced board members, a superintendent and attorney will provide their prospective on this important board function.

    Discussion Topis:
  • What are Hearings?
  • Due Process
  • Preparing
  • Mechanics
  • Roles
  • Evidence & Testimony
  • Executive Session
  • Conflict of Interest
  • The Role of Policy
The video DVD is available for the workshop by visiting http://www.vtvsba.org/develop/dvd.html
Conducting Board Hearing PowerPoint Conducting Board Hearing PowerPoint Conducting Board Hearing PowerPoint

School Finance

October 2007

    Topics includes:
  • School Organization
  • Cost Drivers
  • Analyzing Data
  • Act 68
  • Per Pupil Spending
  • Equalized Pupils
  • Anticipated Enrollment
  • Excess Spending Threshold
  • Property Tax
School Finance School Finance School Finance

School Board Chairs: The Key Ingredient for Leadership Team Success

May 2007

The board chair role is critical to the effectiveness of the board and the overall leadership team. The board chair must be well organized, run crisp meetings, develop a strong collaborative relationship with the superintendent, and be able to read the pulse of the school and community. If you’re a new board chair or just want to increase your board leadership skills, then plan to participate

Discussions includes:

  • Board Packet
  • Meeting Types
  • Code of Conduct
  • Effective Meetings
  • Communication
  • Complaints
  • Assumptions, Goals & Action Plans
  • Self Assessment
  • The Law
  • Media Relations
  • Policy Governance
  • Education Philosophy & Resources
The video DVD is available for the workshop by visiting http://www.vtvsba.org/develop/dvd.html
School Finance School Finance

Board Operations

 Available Formats
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Key Work of the School Board

2001

National School Boards Association - 8 key work components for school boards. (The complete book is available through the VSBA.)
Key Work of the School Board in Acrobat Key Work of the School Board in Powerpoint

Running Paperless Board Meetings

2005

Presentation on using technology to post meeting agendas, minutes, and board packet materials; systems for making policies and procedures available on the district web site.
2005 Running Paperless Board Meetings in pdf 2005 Running Paperless Board Meetings on Powerpoint

Working with Emotional Intelligence

2000

Dr. Daniel Goleman's research on Emotional IQ.
Working with Emotional Intelligence in Acrobat

Collective Bargaining

 Available Formats
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Collaborative Negotiations

2002

Strategies to prepare for and carry out collaborative negotiations.
Collaborative Negotiations in Acrobat Collaborative Negotiations in Powerpoint

Crisis

Available Formats
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Bullying

2006

Preventing bullying and school crisis
2006 html document 2006 Powerpoint

Difficult Behavior

2006

Resources and strategies for preventing and responding to conflict and crisis.
Difficult Behavior in pdf Difficult Behavior on Powerpoint

School Crisis Guide

2005

School crisis plan, policy, and procedures
link to DOE site - http://education.vermont.gov/new/html/resources/model_policies/crisis_guide.html

Policies & Procedures

 Available Formats
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VSBA School Board Code

2008

Agreed upon principles/standards for effective board operation
Code in Acrobat Code in Word Code in Weblink

School Board Resource Directory

 Available Formats
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VSBA Resource Directory

2008-2011

Resource directory VSBA prepares annually with information that new and experienced board members need to know to operate effective school boards. This book is available through the VSBA for $15.00 plus shipping. To order complete the order form. (121 pages)
VSBA Resource Directory in Acrobat VSBA Resource Directory in Word

Special Education

 Available Formats
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Act 117 Part 1

2003

Strategies and resources educators use to support students with special needs before identifying more expensive special education services.
Act 117 Part 1 in Acrobat Act 117 Part 1 in Powerpoint

Act 117 Part 2

2003

Second part to above workshop.
Act 117 Part 2 in Acrobat Act 117 Part 2 in Powerpoint

The Board's Role in Special Education

2003

School boards policy and support role under federal IDEA.
The Board's Role in Special Education in Acrobat The Board's Role in Special Education in Powerpoint

Strategic Planning

 Available Formats
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VSBA Planning Services

2005

Steps for preparing for and conducting a strategic planning process.
VSBA Planning Services in Acrobat VSBA Planning Services in Powerpoint

Superintendent Evaluation

 Available Formats
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Superintendent Evaluation Process and Evaluation Form

2007

This document contains the process and evaluation form for a superintendent evaluation.

A video DVD is available for this topic by visiting http://www.vtvsba.org/ORDERFORM.html

Superintendent Evaluation Acrobat Superintendent Evaluation Process Time Line in Word Superintendent Evaluation Process Time Line in html

The AASA Superintendent Standards

2002

American Association for Secondary School Administrators Standards.
The AASA Superintendent Standards in Acrobat The AASA Superintendent Standards in Powerpoint

Standards for School Leaders

2005

Interstate School Leader Licensure Consortium standards for licensure.
Standards for School Leaders in Acrobat Standards for School Leaders in Powerpoint

Superintendent & Principal Duties

2005

Roles and responsibilities of superintendents and principals.
Superintendent & Pricipal Duties in Acrobat Superintendent & Pricipal Duties in Powerpoint

Superintendent & Principal Legal Duties

2005

This is a listing of the legal references to the duties of superintendents and principals.
Superintendent & Pricipal Legal Duties in Acrobat Superintendent & Pricipal Legal Duties in Word

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