December 1999
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KASBO had a good representation at the ASBO Convention in Orlando with 29 members attending. In spite of Hurricane Irene and all of the rain, everyone still managed to have a good time. American Fidelity sponsored the Kansas Delegate Breakfast and we thank them for their continued support. Delegates enjoyed the many keynote speakers and came back with a lot of information from the workshop sessions they attended. I urge you all to make plans to attend the ASBO Convention in Minneapolis next fall.
The Fall Workshop in Salina was a huge success and the evaluation comments were very good. I would like to extend my thanks to all of the presenters for providing the excellent sessions. The Inservice Committee has worked very hard to provide topics that will benefit our members. The Winter Workshop to be held in Salina on February 16 and 17, 2000 was developed from your suggestions. Please look over the program information included in this newsletter and send in your registration for this excellent workshop. Feel free to copy this information to share with others who might be interested in attending.
Both the Inservice Committee and the Convention Committee have been working diligently making plans for the 36th Annual KASBO Convention to be held in Wichita on April 19 - 21, 2000. If you have not made your reservations at the Hyatt, you should do so soon. Fifty inservice sessions have been developed covering a wide variety of topics for you to choose from. Two dynamic keynote speakers have been selected. They are Mark Towers from Overland Park, Kansas and Ralph Hood from Alabama. I believe they will both be delightful and will deliver their messages in a meaningful, yet humorous way that you all will enjoy. We will also have a member of the ASBO Board of Director attending our convention. The entertainment committee is making arrangements for the opening mixer on Wednesday evening with lots of activities you are sure to enjoy. Thursday night activities will be fun as well &endash; don't forget to bring your dancing shoes!
Be sure and check the KASBO home page at www.kasbo.org for further updates on KASBO and the convention. Perry McCabe is to be commended for his work on the home page and for keeping it up-to-date with many items of interest for KASBO members.
My thanks also go to all who have been so helpful this year. Membership involvement makes KASBO the great organization that it is. If you have not been asked to help, please volunteer.
In closing, I would like to wish each of you a happy holiday season and hope that the beginning of the new millennium will not cause too many Y2K problems for you.
Myrna Morrison, USD 230 Spring Hill
KASBO President
The KASBO In-Service Committee has completed plans for the Winter Workshop. An outstanding program has been developed that responds to the needs of the members.
The workshop registration fee will include lunch. Payment may accompany the registration form or paid at the workshop.
Review the agenda, complete the registration form and mail to KASBO, RR 1 Box 17, Alexander, KS 67513 or FAX to 316.525.6368 by February 11, 2000. E-mailing KASBO at kschadel@ruraltel.net can also be used to register for the workshop. If you any questions call Karen Schadel at 316.525.6512.
KASBO has reserved a block of rooms at the Mid America Inn. Mention KASBO while making your reservation to get the discounted rate.
Cancellation notices received on or before February 14 will be recognized by KASBO. All others will be charged the full registration fee.
It is a phrase that can send panic to a person when their personal checks are not honored. The Kansas Legislature will be faced with this dilemma in January if it approves Governor Graves' proposal to have all state agencies cut their current budgets by 1%.
What does the 1% cut mean to school districts? This translates into returning about 60% of the $50 per student increase promised by the Legislature last spring. Since salaries have been determined it will be closer to a 5% cut in all other budget lines. Special education funding will be slashed by $2.3 million. Approximately 1/3 of the districts has no contingency fund to draw upon. Two thirds of the districts are experiencing declining enrollments and therefore have few dollars to work with each year.
It is imperative that we take action to help the legislature understand what this cut will mean to the children of the State of Kansas. We won't be able to do this alone. Parents and district patrons must help get this message to their local senators and representatives.
These folks would be more effective if armed with particular data as it pertains to their local district. A prepared statement as to what the local effects of this cut will be for the children attending school would be a tool to utilize during this campaign.
Legislative Task Force Makes Recommendations to the USA Board of Directors
On Sept. 17, 1999, the Legislative Task Force met in Salina to discuss changes and/or additions to the Legislative Platform for the 2000 session. The format for discussion centered on small groups dissecting one of the 4 major categories: Accountability, Higher Education, Administrative Issues, and Retirement. Each group was also charged with reviewing the resolutions. The committee had also received input from the USA Board of Directors regarding each of these areas.
At the end of the very productive meeting the committee submitted some language changes to clarify the intent of the accountability, higher education, and retirement categories. The category dealing with money is addressed by the USA Task Force on School Finance so was not a topic of discussion for this committee. It became apparent to the committee that the issue of retirement is a complicated one and may need to be handled exclusively by the KPERS committee that currently exists.
Sharon Zoellner, USD 232 DeSoto
USA School Finance Task Force
Time is quickly approaching for the KASBO 2000 Convention in Wichita, April 19 - 21. The Wichita Hyatt is the convention hotel. Make your reservations before March 20 at 1.800.360.8188, 400 West Waterman, Wichita, KS 67202. Room rates established at the Hyatt for the convention are single, $99, double, $114, triple $129.
The Wednesday afternoon tour is planned for Wichita's newest attraction, Exploration Place, which will open early in 2000. This science museum will be the home the KSN weather team.
Back by popular demand is the Wednesday evening event at Eberly Farms. An evening of entertainment has been planned to serve every taste. Beginning with a social hour and buffet dinner, there will be Bingo, Farkel and dancing to a D.J. for a fun evening of entertainment. Bus transportation will provided for guests to and from the hotel. Dress will be casual.
The Inservice Committee is putting together a program that will meet the needs of each KASBO member. Programs range from the basic to the cutting edge in information for the school business official.
Freddy Fox and the Hot Rods are providing the music and entertainment for the Thursday night event.
KASBO is working with the vendors and the hotel to create a hospitable time and activities after the sessions.
Past President, Perry McCabe, Chairman of the Nominating Committee is asking for nominations for two members for the Board of Directors and also nominations for the Outstanding Service Award. This award recognizes outstanding service to KASBO or education in Kansas. Visit the KASBO homepage at www.kasbo.org for details regarding the nominations. Check the KASBO homepage for updates on KASBO and other education issues and activities.
Two outstanding learning opportunities are available to our KASBO membership which is 564. Plan to join your colleagues at Convention and the upcoming Winter Workshop.