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April 2008, Issue 2008-3

TOP STORIES
Technology Creates Opportunities for Student Learning
by Peter Herman, VSBA President
Recently I attended a presentation on technology in schools at the National School Boards Association annual conference. In a stroke of genius, the presenting group brought along a 19 year old college sophomore to do most of the talking. He started by explaining how he spent a typical day: out of bed, checks his email, looks at 3-4 websites, checks his cell phone for text messages, maybe turns on the TV for a minute. More

The Presidential Hopefuls on Education
by David Cyprian, VSBA Legislative Analyst
Although education has not been a prominent issue in a Presidential campaign dominated by personalities, foreign policy, and the economy, our next President will face significant challenges in the area of federal education policy. More

In This Issue

VSBA Hires Additional Field Consultant

Several months ago, the VSBA hired Laura Soares to work with the associate director, Winton Goodrich, to provide additional consulting and field services to school districts around the state. Laura has extensive experience in board operations and management issues. Laura’s preparation for field services comes from her 15 years of experience as local board member and chair in the Randolph School District. More

Healthy Weight Summit

Healthy Weight Summit:Improving School Lunches & Physical Activities
Thursday May 1, 2008 from 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
NewBank Conference Center, Chester, VT
More

Member to Member

We realize the value of board members networking, asking and answering questions of one another. We have added a Member to Member page on our website.
More

VSBA Around Vermont

Governance Initiatives
We are moving forward with governance studies in Pittsfield, Hartford, Hartland, Wilmington, Whitingham, Underhill, Underhill I.D., and Jericho School Districts. I presented information about school collaboration and governance studies to the Dummerston and Putney School Boards.More

2008-2011 School Board Resource Directory

The Resource Directory is a valuable reference volume for all school board members. It contains over 130 pages of up-to-date information on the roles, responsibilities, procedures, and techniques for operating a school district that every board member should know. More

NSBA Legal Clips: Presidential Panel Calls for Focus on Core Math Skills

A presidential panel has declared math education in the United States "broken" and called on schools to focus on ensuring that children master fundamental skills that provide the underpinnings for success in higher math and, ultimately, in high-tech jobs. The National Mathematics Advisory Panel convened in April 2006 to address concerns that many students lack the know-how to become engineers and scientists. More

Managing the Physical Environment in School Indoor Air Quality: Can You Answer Yes?

Outdoor Air Supply

Is the building ventilation system turned on?
Are all vents free of obstruction?
Is air flowing into outdoor intake?

NSBA Legal Clips: Report Says Section 504 Rules Cause Confusion for Schools

Students with health or cognitive problems who aren't eligible for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) have protection under another federal law: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Do Your Board Meetings Make the Grade?

Many boards find it valuable to reflect on the effectiveness of their board meetings. If you were to fill in each blank with a "grade" from "A" to "F", what would you choose? More

2008 VSBA Resolutions Submission Form

VSBA Resolutions are the Association's official positions on important educational issues and are adopted by the membership for each biennium. More

VSBA Leadership Award Nomination

Nominations are invited for the 2008 VSBA Leadership Award. This honor may be presented by the Vermont School Boards Association to a school board member or an entire school board that has demonstrated extraordinary leadership. More

Mark Your Calendar

2008 VSA/VSBA Annual Conference, October 30 & 31, Lake Morey Resort
Roles, Responsibilities & Relationships: These 3 remaining annual spring workshops discuss the basics of school board roles and responsibilities. It is presented for novice and experienced school board members alike. Bring the whole team to a venue near you. They are presented at different locations, time frames and dates. The workshop times range from 2 hours to 6. Please see the website for specific times. A light meal is included with the exception of the VIT on May 27. The 6 hours classes also include breakfast.
The VSBA Annual Regional Meetings: The regional meetings are FREE of any charge. The meetings will begin at 5:00 with a light dinner, continue into regional elections and regional discussions followed by a workshop/discussion time regarding statewide issues.

VSBA, like all membership organizations, depends on participation from you "local school board members" for its strength and vitality. The primary purpose of VSBA’s regional meetings is to provide you the opportunity to provide important input and representation to the Association by electing members from your region to serve on the VSBA Board of Directors and Resolutions Committee. VSBA Board provides direction and support for the programs and services offered to the member boards, while the Resolutions Committee recommends positions on various issues that the Association membership acts upon at the Annual Meeting.
- 9/4/08-Orange & Washington, Spaulding Union High School
- 9/8/08-Chittenden & Grand Isle, Winooski High School
- 9/11/08-Essex, Caledonia, & Orleans, Lake Region Union High School
- 9/15/08-Addison County, Middlebury Union High School
- 9/18/08-Bennington & Rutland, Manchester Elementary School
- 9/22/08-Franklin & Lamoille, Bakersfield Elementary School
- 9/25/08-Windsor & Windham, Green Mtn Union High School

You may register for these or any other VSBA workshops by visiting: http://www.vtvsba.org/develop/develop.htm.

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