Vermont School Boards Association
March 2009

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TOP STORIES
Stimulus Deal Reached; More than $140 million for Vermont Education
U.S. congressional negotiators announced a deal on February 12 for a federal stimulus package of approximately $787 billion that includes between $75 - $85 billion for pre-K - 12 education funding. The amount of education funding is a compromise between the House and the Senate, the former having authorized up to $140 billion and the upper chamber having approved $80 billion for education (including higher education). More.

Federal Stimulus Presents Opportunities for Schools By Peter Herman, VSBA President
This has, and will continue to be, a tough year for Vermont schools and school boards as money is more than tight, work is hard to find, and certain state officials are making noises like it’s all our fault. The Governor, in the ongoing war against public schools, is pressuring school districts and the Legislature to flatline budgets and absorb a transfer of some significant, ongoing costs to the Education Fund. More.

In This Issue...
  1. The Principals Critical Role in Leading Instruction
  2. Childhood Obesity
  3. CPE Study: Late Grads Succeed More Often than GEDs
  4. ALEC Report: Vermont Ranks #2 First in 8th Grade Reading Achievement
  5. Comcast Intends to Drop RETN
  6. Vermont Recognized Nationally for Student AP Exam Scores
  7. Advocacy on Capitol Hill: What’s "Stimulating" in D.C.?
  8. The Rogue Member: Dealing With Adversity in the Board Room
  9. VPA Summer Leadership Academy 2009
  10. School Custodians of the Year Announced
  11. Stimulus Funds Could Transform Federal Role in Education
  12. Vermont's Top Two Youth Volunteers Selected In 14th Annual National Awards Program
The Principals Critical Role in Leading Instruction
Bus time, lunch time, passing time-there are many times of the day when principals find themselves conducting crowd control. At other times a principal may be handling the many "crises du jour" or completing reports. Is this truly how we want our school leaders to spend the majority of their time each day? To be sure, getting to know students is important, and some administration is part of the job. More on this article.
Childhood Obesity
I am a ninth grader at Burlington High School. My teacher assigned me the topic of childhood obesity to study, which after a short amount of research I found was a large and growing problem in the United States. One in six children in the United States are now obese, and Vermont is no exception. Around 30 percent of children in Vermont are overweight. Being obese can lead to health problems such as diabetes or hypertension. I believe that educating the parents of the children is the best step to take to reverse this trend. More
CPE Study: Late Grads Succeed More Often than GEDs
A new study from The Center for Public Education (CPE) found that persons who graduate high school in more than four years are somewhat healthier and more successful than those who dropout or earn a GED. The study also found that on-time high school graduation correlated most strongly with post-high school success.More
ALEC Report: Vermont Ranks #2 First in 8th Grade Reading Achievement
The American Legislative Exchange Council released its 15th annual "Report Card on American Education," and Vermont earned its highest-ever ranking among the states at number two (Minnesota ranked first). According to ALEC data, Vermont ranked fifth highest in the country in per pupil expenditure, second lowest in pupil-teacher ratio, and well above national average in 2006 high school graduation rate (84 percent vs. national rate of 70 percent). More
Comcast Intends to Drop RETN
CQ Politics reports that President Barack Obama’s selection of Chicago public schools chief Arne Duncan to be U.S. Secretary of Education is winning praise from disparate segments of the education community, who call Duncan a pragmatic choice. Obama officially introduced Duncan as his nominee in December at a Chicago elementary school. More
Vermont Recognized Nationally for Student AP Exam Scores
The College Board released its fifth annual "AP Report to the Nation" last month, and highlighted Vermont as a national example in preparing students for college. Vermont saw the largest five-year increase in the country in the percentage of its student population scoring 3 or higher on at least one AP (Advanced Placement) exam in high school.More
Advocacy on Capitol Hill: What’s "Stimulating" in D.C.?
Representatives from the Vermont School Boards Association, in concert with board members and state school boards association staff marched on Capitol Hill on February 3, 2009. The event was part of a 50 state Federal Relations Network training hosted by the National School Boards Association. More
The Rogue Member: Dealing With Adversity in the Board Room
If anyone believes that the dictionary definition of a rogue sounds a little harsh, try substituting more familiar terms, such as undisciplined, unethical, or not a team player. Regardless of which term is ultimately used to describe this member, the board, beset by a rogue member, usually has a few other descriptive adjectives that are best left to the imagination. More
Save the Date! VPA Summer Leadership Academy 2009
"The Role of Digital Technology in Education: Beyond Could, Past Should, To Must."
Keynote Speaker: Jim Moulton
AUGUST 4-6, 2009 * KILLINGTON GRAND RESORT * KILLINGTON, VT More
School Custodians of the Year Announced
Three long-time school custodians were recognized recently by the Vermont Department of Education and Vermont School Custodians and Maintenance Association (VSCMA) as Vermont’s School Custodians of the Year. More
Stimulus Funds Could Transform Federal Role in Education
Three long-time school custodians were recognized recently by the Vermont Department of Education and Vermont School Custodians and Maintenance Association (VSCMA) as Vermont’s School Custodians of the Year. More
Vermont’s Top Two Youth Volunteers Selected In 14th Annual National Awards Program
Three long-time school custodians were recognized recently by the Vermont Department of Education and Vermont School Custodians and Maintenance Association (VSCMA) as Vermont’s School Custodians of the Year. More

Brand New Professional Development DVDs!

Both new and experienced board members can take advantage of professional development opportunities with VSBA training and informational DVDs dedicated to topics you need to know. We have been hard at work over the last several weeks producing new DVDs and accompanying handouts on the most relevant issues for you as a board member. Each of our DVDs are divided into chapters with full menu capability so you can jump right to the information you need. Watch at home or with your whole board at school. To order, call 800-244-8722 or e-mail Kerri at klamb@vtvsba.org. NEW PACKAGE TITLE Great for new members! This extensive package covers all the most important content areas board members must know across the school calendar. You will receive the VSBA Resource Directory, a 134-page comprehensive "user’s manual" created to assist board members to understand and carry out the basic board roles and responsibilities. It’s easy to use and reference, and contains tips and summaries on dozens of relevant topics your board is likely to encounter. The package also contains five DVDs on four topics:

  • The 3 R’s - Roles, Responsibilities, and Relationships: This DVD condenses all the basics from the Resource Directory and the other DVDs into one concise presentation.

  • Negotiations: This brand new two-DVD set features three distinct parts. Part 1 covers preparing for negotiations with Associate Director Winton Goodrich and veteran Wallingford board member Ken Fredette in a question and answer format. Part 2 covers insurance benefits and the VSBIT organization with VSBIT director Joe Zimmerman and Randolph board member Laura Soares. Part 3 covers negotiation laws with VSBA Executive Director John Nelson explaining both the mandatory and optional components of collective bargaining that each board should consider.

  • Board Policies: John Nelson explains the purpose that district policies serve, which are required and optional, and other common questions and concerns regarding policy development and maintenance.

  • Passing the School Budget Under Act 82: Filmed live on VIT, this DVD features a panel of presenters including Winton Goodrich, Department of Education finance manager Brad James, superintendent Brent Kay, and VSBA legislative analyst David Cyprian who explain the intricacies of preparing, presenting, and passing your budget. James explains the nuances of school funding under Act 60 and Act 68, and Cyprian discusses the special rules and challenges presented by the newly enacted Act 82 two-vote budget process.
Pick up the whole package for $75. DVDs are also available individually. The 3 R’s & the Resource Directory: $35 Negotiations: $20 Board Policies: $20 Passing the School Budget: $20

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