KASBO Network Volume 10, Issue #2 |
|
The 30th anniversary of the United School Administrators' Convention will kick off with a pre-convention session on Wednesday, January 24, 2001. John Meyers will be presenting the findings from the boundary study as charged by the 2000 legislature. Dale Dennis and Veryl Peter will also present information pertinent to school financing.
The convention begins Wednesday evening, with a vendor reception. Numerous prizes will be awarded during the reception from 5 &endash; 7 p.m. in the Convention Center. Please plan to join your colleagues for this opening event. At 8:30 that evening, a reception will be held for retired superintendents. This is open to all convention attendees.
Thursday, January 25, will be the official kick-off of the convention. Dr. Sharon Zoellner, KASBO board member will begin her year as President for USA. Cile Chavez will be the morning keynote speaker. The topic is "The Future is Here." Many learning cluster sessions have been arranged for Thursday afternoon. The wide range of topics will provide for rich staff development opportunities.
Thursday evening will begin with the banquet and speaker John Powers. His topic will be "Learning is for the Birds…The Ones Who Want to Fly." Thursday will end with the ever-popular dance sponsored by LifeTouch.
A departure from the norm on Friday promises to be a unique opportunity to see the newest science center in the state. Exploration Place in Wichita, will be available to convention attendees during the morning. Busses will transport folks from the convention center to the museum. You won't want to miss the opportunity to see this interactive museum. Friday has also been declared "Casual School Spirit Day" and all convention attendees are encouraged to wear their school insignia shirts.
The convention will close with a luncheon on Friday. At that time Zach Clements will present his message entitled "Miracles Begin With You."
We hope to see many of you in Wichita in January. Be looking for information in the mail or check out the USA website at www.ink.org/public/usa.
Dr. Sharon Zoellner
KASBO Board Member
The "Changing Landscape of Public Education" was the focus of a Conversation hosted by the Kansas Learning First Alliance (KFLA) on November 8, 2000 at the KASB offices in Topeka.
The "structured conversation' process has been developed by Public Agenda, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to public involvement in public issues. The purpose of this Conversation was to raise awareness within our profession about the dramatic and changing needs in education and to consider ways our institutions may need to change in order to respond to these emerging needs. The KLFA sponsored conversation provided an opportunity for educational leaders to "think outside the box" in addressing the teaching and learning needs within our profession. The morning activities included a presentation of national trends by Heidi Steffen, NEA, and Dale Dennis KSDE focusing on Kansas issues.
One of the essential elements of a successful conversation is having a true representation of the profession at the table. Approximately 100 educators participated in the Conversation representing the following organizations: KSDE, NEA, KNEA, KAMSA, KASSP, KAESP, KASEA, KASBO, KanSPRA, ASCD, KASCD, USA, KASB, KRA, KSDC, KACTE, KASA, KGTC, USD 337 Royal Valley, USD 500 Kansas City, USD 259 Wichita, Wolf River, Smoky Hill Service Center, Learning First Alliance, Kauffman Foundation, and the Kansas Health Foundation. This gathering of leaders in education provided for a rich dialogue throughout the day.
The afternoon sessions involved lively discussions in five small groups, each led by a moderator trained especially for the structured conversation format. The group summaries shared at the end of the day relayed the areas of common ground, areas of disagreement, questions, and implications for change. The consensus of the group was that the conversations should not stop with this activity. Each organization represented will receive a full conversation report, and evaluation report, and information from Public Agenda on hosting a structured conversation.
For more information on hosting a Conversation either in your organization or in your district, you may contact Marceta Reilly at 785.966.2246 or Christy Levings at 785.232.8271.
The KASBO Board of Directors met October 26 at the Salina Holiday Inn prior to the Fall Workshop. Eight members were present for the meeting.
The Nominating Committee, chaired by Immediate Past President, Myrna Morrison, presented candidate Todd Stephenson to fill the vacancy on the board. The vote was unanimous to accept their recommendation.
Todd Stephenson is the District Accountant for USD 428 Great Bend. Todd has been in the district for five years. During his tenure there, he has maintained membership in both KASBO and ASBO.
The Board of Directors elected to keep the KASBO membership year from April through March. As a reminder to the membership, current paid membership dues are a requirement to attend the KASBO Convention.
KASBO will be represented at the Kansas Learning First Alliance by Dr. Sharon Zoellner, USD 232 DeSoto, Dr. Rob Balsters, USD 345 Seaman and Karen Schadel, KASBO Consultant.
Vendor participation and support was an item of discussion. The consensus of the board is that KASBO is not a forum for the endorsement of companies. Vendors can make presentations about the product concepts provided they do not use it as a sales pitch for their products. Including the vendors who are associate members on the KASBO website with a brief statement about their services and a contact person was also discussed. Another idea proposed was having an exhibit arena for vendors to display their products on Wednesday, April 18.
Credit cards for the KASBO leadership was discussed. This would alleviate charges on personal credit cards of officers that are later turned in for reimbursements. The issue will be pursued.
A new addition for the KASBO Convention was proposed by President Jones. A 'Kansas Choir' will be organized to perform during the convention. Anyone interested in being a part of the choir is to contact Todd Covault, Choir Director, at tcovault@usd253.kansas.net or 316.341.2216.
A committee was named to check on the feasibility of having shirts with the KASBO logo to sell to the membership.
The next board meeting will be held on Friday, January 26, 2001, at 8:30 a.m. at the Wichita Hyatt Hotel. Contact Karen Schadel with your intent for this breakfast meeting. Remember to wear your school insignia shirts for a free pass on the bus to Exploration Place after the meeting.
If you missed the 86th annual ASBO convention Minneapolis, you really missed out on a valuable learning experience! Twenty-nine Kansans attended the event this year.
Twenty-eight pre-convention workshops were offered on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. On Sunday, October 1, the regular convention was kicked off with an opening mixer.
The convention offered 16 sessions on accounting and budgeting, 20 sessions on business operations, 16 sessions on legal and legislative issues, 26 sessions on management and human resources, 9 sessions on school finance, 19 sessions on school operations, and 31 sessions on technology.
The exhibit hall was also very helpful. Over 200 vendors were represented offering information on such things as software, equipment, food service, maintenance, busing, and electronic purchasing.
The Kansas delegation had a breakfast on Tuesday, October 3. Thanks to American Fidelity for sponsoring this opportunity to network with other districts!
If you missed this event, we missed you! Mark your calendars now for next year's conference in Baltimore from October 12-16, 2000.
Check out the web page for pictures of the mixer and the Kansas breakfast. Thanks to Rob Balsters for taking pictures. (Okay, we did a little bit of dancing too.)
Linda Jones
KASBO President
Winter Workshop, February 15 - 16, 2001, Salina Holiday Inn
37th Annual KASBO Convention, April 18 - 20, 2001, Great Bend Holiday Inn
Fall Workshop, October 4 - 5, 2001, Salina Red Coach Inn
ASBO Convention, October 12 - 16, 2001, Baltimore, MD
The board of directors of KASBO is soliciting interested vendor companies and representatives to participate in the organization's annual convention next year in Great Bend, Kansas.
Plans are being made to include a vendor-sponsored Trade Show on Wednesday April 18, 2001, at the Holiday Inn Convention Center. The purpose of this event is to allow participating vendors to provide our members with product and service information beneficial to the school districts we serve. Details regarding allowable presentation displays and materials will be provided to vendors responding to this solicitation.
Hours for the Trade Show will be 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The cost is $150.00 for KASBO members and $160.00 for non-members.
We are pleased to give our KASBO members and non-members an opportunity to visit your booth at our organization's Trade Show. If you would like for your company to be a vendor participant, please contact Karen Schadel at kschadel@ruraltel.net or call at 316.525.6512. Prompt response is suggested, as vendor space is limited.
Note this correction: The KASBO Winter Workshop will be February 15 & 16, 2001, at the Salina Holiday Inn. The Thursday and Friday meeting dates are the preference of workshop attendees. Review the workshop schedule insert and register early.
The convention committee has been busy planning activities and the general program for convention. There are some surprises in store for the convention goers. Golfers get ready for an exciting tournament at the Golden Belt Country Club. Marvin Sisk has promised good prizes and a fun time.
If you have a topic that you need information on or are willing to present on a specific topic at the convention, contact Alan Schuler, In-Service Chairman, at 913.684.1400.
It is time to be thinking about an individual that is deserving of the 'Distinguished Service Award'. The nomination form will be in the next newsletter and on the web page.
Information regarding all of the above plus much more can be found on the KASBO web page at http://www.kasbo.org/ thanks to webmaster Perry McCabe. Perry has done an outstanding job of maintaining the site and keeping us current on education issues. We owe Perry a big thank you.
Send items you think are newsworthy to Perry (perry.mccabe@mcpherson.com) for his review.
Another service to the membership is the classified ad section. If you have a vacancy in your district, send that information to Perry.
On-line registration for convention will be another service provided for the membership. That option was well received last year.
Technology is here to stay. Take advantage of the opportunities it provides for us. Visit our home page often.
In closing, I wish each of you a safe and healthy holiday season and good fortune in 2001.