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| VSBA Governmental Relations Network More Important Than Ever |
As I have said many times when speaking with VSBA members this summer and fall, I believe Act 82 is a startling indication that the quality of Vermont’s public schools is, for the first time in my 35 year experience in the field of education in Vermont, in real danger of being compromised in the interest of state-level partisan politics. The VSBA must be prepared to make itself heard on behalf of Vermont’s students and communities in the immediate future. More
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| School Bus Surveillance Video Can Become Evidence in Court |
| The Washington State Supreme Court has ruled that a videotape from a school bus surveillance camera is subject to public disclosure under state law because it does not fall within the student file exemption. When an altercation between two elementary students was recorded by a bus surveillance camera, the parents of one of the students requested a copy of the videotape. Kelso School District No. 458 (KSD) denied the request on the ground the videotape was exempt from public disclosure. More |
| The Vermont Community Preschool Collaborative (VCPC) Project |
| The primary purpose of the VCPC project is to provide support and resources to communities in Vermont so that public schools, childcare providers and others can collaborate on establishing and sustaining high quality learning experiences for three and four year olds that qualify for public education funding. More |
| VSBA Around Vermont |
The VSBA is happy to report that Laura Soares, former VSBA Board president and current Randolph Elementary Board chair, has been hired to provide additional consulting and field services to districts around the state. Laura brings a great deal of skill, experience, and creativity in clarifying leadership roles and responsibilities, implementing Policy Governance systems, and facilitating general board development activities for the VSBA.
Welcome aboard, Laura. Governance Initiatives |
| Herman Urges Vocal Role for School Boards |
| Peter Herman was raised in Mamaroneck, New York, the first of two children. His father was a building contractor and his mother worked part time as a nurse. He attended local public schools before attending Dartmouth College, where he graduated in 1958 with a degree in geology. More |
| NOTES from your representation to the STATEWIDE CALENDAR COMMITTEE... |
As we headed into a statewide Vermont Interactive Television (VIT) School Calendar Committee Public Engagement Forum on Wednesday November 28th, we were prepared to actively listen to as many stakeholders as may turn out. Participation, however, was scant with one person at Rutland, one person at Springfield, two at Newport, and perhaps a half dozen at Waterbury. Funny how that works as the dialogue, nevertheless, was very meaningful and lasted until 8 pm. On Thursday November 29th, the School Calendar Committee met to review all the feedback received from stakeholders at the meetings in Newport, Essex Junction, Bennington, Springfield, Montpelier, and at the VIT sites, as well as a multitude of email and written communication that was sent to Carol King at the Department of Education. More
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| Education Week Profiles Effects of Technology on Sexual Misconduct in Schools |
| The national newspaper Education Week (www.edweek.org) published a story last month that investigated how technology has affected incidences of inappropriate sexual misconduct in schools. The article explains that widespread use of cell phones, text and picture messaging, and social networking websites like MySpace has enabled potential child predators and sexual abusers to contact children directly in ways unimaginable even a few years ago. More |
| Premium Increase |
| On December 4, VEHI announced that health insurance premium contributions would not increase beyond a certain percentage. This is the seventh year that VEHI has made such an announcement in an effort to help school districts in the preliminary stage of budget development. More |
Upcoming VSBA Workshops
Passing Your School Budget - January 7As your school budget nears completion and you begin to see the immense impact that rising fuel costs, special education, and health insurance will have on 2008-09 school operations, it’s time to prepare your budget passage strategies for the annual school district meeting. To assist you, the VSBA staff has scheduled a "Passing Your School Budget" workshop on January 7th, 6:30 to 8:30 PM. The deadline for registration is January 1. Presenters will also address the future impact this budget will have on next year’s response to Act 82 "Think Twice" legislation. This event will be aired on 15 VT Interactive Television sites and will also be available on DVD following the workshop. Workshop Goals:
- Communicate current statewide budget data;
- Identify key finance and tax components;
- Learn strategies for making school performance indicators and budget information understandable for voters;
- Refine your budget presentation skills and tactics;
Register online today at www.vtvsba.org/develop/develop.htm or call 800-244-8722. You may also reserve a DVD at www.vtvsba.org/develop/dvd.html.
Other upcoming Workshops
- 02/06/08 - Improving Board Operations workshop on VIT statewide
- 03/10/08 -Board Member Swap Shop workshop on VIT statewide
- 04/16/08 -Governance Options and Enrollment Projection workshop on VIT statewide
- 05/05/08 -The School Board Chairperson workshop on VIT statewide