January, 2005
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Hopefully this Newsletter finds you refreshed after some relaxing down time during the Winter Holidays! Remember, holidays such as this are supposed to be balancing factors in our otherwise challenging, hectic lives at the office. If you were able to find some calm in your life with family and friends – congratulations; if not, perhaps that can (should) be part of your New Year’s Resolution for 2005.
We now have a Kansas Supreme Court ruling on the constitutionality of the states current education funding formula - but do we have clarity? As we patiently wait, the legislators will begin their work in Topeka. There will be many new faces this year, with some learning curves concerning education that will need to be nurtured. Our new legislators hold esteemed positions, and should be held with high respect, but that does not mean they fully grasp all the complexities of the business side of education. Whether it is how the State Use Law impacts our purchasing operations; FLSA influences our hiring practices; Special Education funding creates a draw on our General Education allocations; or flat BSAPP funding impairs our ability to implement the kind of educationally accountable programs we are called on to provide - we can help in their learning process. Don’t be shy to invite your new representatives to learning sessions on our issues. Don’t assume they don’t care! They are human, and sometimes if not challenged or prodded, simply do not take the time to ask.
Sharpen your skills, and network with colleagues when we meet again in Salina for our Winter Workshop at the Smoky Hill Education Service Center on February 24. We have invited Mark Tallman back to update us on the latest breaking news regarding the Court ruling and legislative activity, and have arranged for other timely sessions. (Note: If you thought paper-rock-scissors was difficult, have you ever tried balloon-ice pick-air ?) Also, begin now making plans to join your fellow business officials in Wichita for the annual convention April 20-22 at the Marriott.
Thanks to Perry McCabe you will find an updated - very informative KASBO web site at http://www.kasbo.org/. Perry encourages you to drop in and find out the latest on state events impacting our world. As a reminder, we are in the second year for our KASBO Professional Recognition program. Those who apply and qualify for this program will be recognized at the State convention in April. More information about this can be found on the KASBO website (http://www.kasbo.org/Professional Recognition Program. htm).
As always, please don't hesitate to call or email your KASBO Board members with any suggestions you have to improve our organization. See you in Salina.
Gary Diener
USD 233 Olathe
KASBO President 2004-2005
diener@olatheschools.com
New Proposed 43(b) Tax Regulations
On November 15, 2004, the Internal Revenue Service posted new proposed regulations on 403(b) tax-sheltered annuities for the first time in 40 years. The regulations are in proposed form and cannot be relied upon until finalized. Once finalized, however, they could require changes to the plans many school districts currently have. For example, the proposed regulations require a written defined contribution plan and it appears that a lot of the changes are being made to make the 403(b) look more like a 401(k).
If you would like more information on the proposed regulations, there are several resources available:
There will be a public hearing on the proposed regulations on February 15, 2005. If you are interested in providing input, you may send your comments to:
CC:PA:LDP:PR (REG-155608-02)
Room 5203
Internal Revenue Service
P.O. Box 7604, Ben Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044
You may also submit comments electronically via the IRS Internet site at www.irs.gov/regs, or contact your congressman.
Citizens Bank & Trust will be offering an audio seminar on the IRS proposed 403(b) regulations on Thursday, January 27th, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. CST. If anyone is interested in participating they may visit the Citizens Bank & Trust website at www.cbt403b.com under Coming Events or email cbt403b@cbcfamily.com of their interest.
Kathleen Whitley. USD 457 Garden City
KASBO President-Elect
The State Use Law (KSA 75-3317 et. sec.) requires state agencies and schools to purchase items from a list of approved vendors who employ the handicapped. The current statute is perceived to be antiquated in language and requires any exemption for non-compliance to be approved by a waiver from SRS. The current law is, at best, loosely followed. The vendors report that only 50 or so school districts purchase from the catalogs at all.
Some of the vendors have organized under the name "The Coalition for Opportunity" and have secured the services of a lobbying firm. During the 2004 legislative session the Coalition introduced legislation requiring all school districts and State agencies to comply with the law, purchase all the products at prices set by the State Director of Purchasing, and enforcing it through the Secretary of Administration. The bill (HB 2688) passed the House. During the waning days of the session a hearing was held in Senate Ways & Means. KASB, USA and USD 259 testified in opposition to the bill. The committee chair (and now Senate President) directed the Department of Administration's director of purchasing to meet with the vendors and customers during the interim. If the Coalition's current version passed it would force school districts to purchase the products at the set prices and the enforcement would take place in State audits.
A meeting has been organized to examine the proposed legislation and dialog with the coalition to share the challenges that face school districts to meet the legislative requirements with ever shrinking budgets.
All USD Purchasing Professionals and Financial Directors are asked to stay abreast of the legislative developments with the State Use Law and be ready to contact your area legislators and write letters specific to your Districts with regard to the negative impact to your budgets if the legislation mandates district compliance and is subject to audit by the state.
Darren Muci, Director, Operations Division
USD 259 Wichita
Melany Barnes, Technical Assistant-Projects
USD 259 Wichita
Greetings from the Kansas “tundra” to all KASBO members and vendors. The KASBO Board of Directors extends wishes for an optimistic New Year. The Kansas Supreme Court ruled positively on some of the points in the school lawsuit which gives the State Legislature a chance to work over the funding formula.
The Board started a list of new years resolutions early. The first involves providing support for the KASBO website. The Board realizes logistical issues that have caused the website promptness issues. President Gary Diener asked the Board to commit additional monetary backing if found to be necessary. New changes are already made and you can find lots of links to pertinent information on school business, NCLB and operations. Don’t forget the photo archives of “old acquaintances” to take you back to memories made while participating in KASBO. Now is a good time to look at the KASBO website at www.kasbo.org. In addition, the Board has asked to have a listserv service for our members. This would allow Karen Schadel to pass along very important information on an immediate basis just as KSDE does now.
Another resolution involves a fourth newsletter following the KASBO State Convention in April. The Board feels that our membership is better served with relevant information and a fourth newsletter allows us to share lots of feed back provided by you and vendors on topics from the convention plus ideas on how to make our time together more beneficial. And, while we are on that subject, remember to consider, not only yourself, but other staff in your office for participation at the convention. Our commitment to our members’ professional development and networking opportunities cannot be matched by any other group in the state. The Convention Committee assesses scores and commentary from your surveys each year. Of course, insightful ideas get pulled from the pages and work starts immediately on the progression for a better convention. FYI-bring your bowling ball and shoes this year!
A very important “pillar” of support comes from KASBO’s relationship with our vendors. Along these lines, the Board of Directors are resolved to culminate that relationship. We started a new program to solicit current vendors and build a basis for new ones. All current vendor participants in the Vendor Showcase received a personal contact from a board member plus information mailed to them about the upcoming convention. Furthermore, Board discussion led to the conception of “mutually beneficial” relationships for KASBO members and vendors. The idea is to increase revenue for KASBO functions and allow supportive vendors to have more exposure. More work needs to be done and vendor representatives have committed time to develop a program.
Let KASBO help you with a new years resolution. Why don’t you consider registering for the Professional Recognition Program? Some of the requirements have changed such as the time period for point accumulation and the point value of committee assignments. President Diener hopes to have approximately fourteen more registrants and you should be one of them. Again, check on the website for official guidelines and do something just for yourself, and your career.
Finally, participants to the Fall Workshop got a glimpse of the new KASBO shirt. It’s a yellow button down style shirt with the KASBO logo embroidered on the left side. Some were ordered at the workshop and you have other opportunities such as the Winter Workshop in Salina. Kathleen Whitley graciously accepted the project and is in charge. They are very popular among the Board members and you can get yours for only $29.
Blessings in your New Year,
Todd Stephenson. USD 313 Buhler
KASBO Secretary
The officers of KASBO are the President, President-Elect, Vice-President, Immediate Past President, Treasurer, Secretary and six Directors. All terms are for one year except for Directors.
Directors serve for three (3) years with two (2) Directors being elected each year. The Vice-President automatically succeeds through the offices of President-Elect, President and Immediate Past-President. The KASBO bylaws state the, "Officers and directors will be nominated by the Nominating Committee or by the written request signed by ten (10) members and placed on a ballot in alphabetical order of last names. Election will be held at the annual meeting and the newly elected officers will assume the duties of office on the first (1st) day of July following the election at the annual meeting."
If you are interested, or know of someone who is interested in serving KASBO in a position of leadership, contact Kathy Johnson at kjohnson@usd497.org or call 785-832-5000. Deadline is March 1, 2005.
This is the highest award presented to an individual by KASBO. It is given in recognition of outstanding service to the organization and/or to education in Kansas. Please submit your nomination on a sheet of paper or by e-mail answering the questions below by March 1, 2005.
Name of Nominee:
Address:
Current Job of Nominee:
Please list the accomplishments of the Nominee on additional paper:
Name and address of person submitting nomination:
Please submit to Kathy Johnson at kjohnson@usd497.org or call 785-832-5000.
(Click here for Schedule and Registration Form in pdf format)