Food allergy guide available
An estimated one in 25 school-aged children has a food allergy. and data from 1997-2007 reveal that there has been an 18 percent increase in reported food allergies among young people. Studies show that about 16 to 18 percent of children with food allergies have had a mild to life-threatening reaction at school. NSBA has published “Safe at School and Ready to Learn: a Comprehensive Policy Guide for Protecting Students with Life-Threatening Food Allergies.” The guide will help school leaders maneuver through the challenges and risks posed by food allergies and establish policies and practices that support the safety, well-being, and academic success of students with life-threatening food allergies. Visit http://www.nsba.org/foodallergyguide to view the guide.
Governor proclaims January as Arkansas School Board Member Recognition Month
Governor Mike Beebe and the State Board of Education have proclaimed January of 2012 as Arkansas School Board Member Recognition Month. ASBA has developed a logo and tip sheet to help districts that wish to honor their board members in January. Encourage your district this month to acknowledge the contributions of school board members!
NSBA National Hispanic Caucus offers scholarships
The National Hispanic Caucus of School Board Members will award ten scholarships to high school seniors eligible for graduation in May-June 2012. Two scholarships will be awarded within each of the five NSBA regions. To qualify, students must be of Hispanic origin and meet other criteria. Applications are due by February 10, 2012. For more information and an application, click here.
Education technology not a luxury
Some districts grapple with technology investment and justifying the expense to patrons. The Excellence in Governance and School Leadership blog presents a thoughtful article, "Why School Boards Should Focus on Education Technology," which describes why technology in education is essential. Click here to view the article.
Annual Conference showcases best practices
More than 600 school board members attended the 2011 ASBA Annual Conference in Little Rock. The popular best practices sessions on Thursday allowed boards to share successful programs they have implemented in their districts. Click here to view conference photos. Click here to view award recipient photos. Click here to see photos from the Exhibit Hall. Thanks to our Commercial Affiliates who exhibited this year.
James Staggs named Dr. Dan Award recipient
James Staggs, former superintendent of the Bald Knob School District, posthumously received the 2011 Dr. Daniel L. Pilkinton Award for Outstanding Service to Public Education. The award was presented at the 2011 ASBA Annual Conference in Little Rock. In 2007, Staggs agreed to come out of retirement to help his financially strapped local school district. Within a few weeks Staggs, who passed away in September of 2011, had identified $1.5 million in budget reductions, and he had worked with the community and staff to raise $1.7 million for the school district. Accepting the award on behalf of James Staggs were his wife, Linda Staggs; son, Jay Staggs; daughter, Dana Trout; and granddaughter, Amanda.
New officers take helm of ASBA Board of Directors
The Delegate Assembly elected new officers at the ASBA Annual Conference. Dr. Paul Hance (photo at right), a dentist in Batesville, was namedpresident; Maxine Nelson, a Watson Chapel board member, will serve as president-elect. Rounding out the officer slate are Jerry Don Woods of Dardanelle as Vice President; Steve Percival of Fayetteville as Secretary-Treasurer; and Wayne Gibson of El Dorado as Past President. Additionally, Bob Warren of Elkins joins the board as the Region 1 Director, filling a vacancy created when Steve Percival was elected Secretary-Treasurer.
ASBA introduces new online courses
ASBA has developed new online courses to help school board members learn more about their roles and responsibilities. Each course is based on material included in the Handbook for Arkansas School Board Members. The cost for each course is $25. Board members should advise the superintendent about the course prior to completing the online course exam so that the superintendent will anticipate receiving an invoice. Each course, satisfactorily completed, will provide one hour of approved training credit. Click here to access course materials and exam links.
Arkansas launches Common Core information site
The Arkansas Department of Education created a website that provides information about the Common Core Standards and includes links to a video and FAQ. Click here to access the Common Core site. Click here to view the informational video, and click here for the FAQ. The Hunt Institute and the Council of Chief State School Officers commissioned a series of video vignettes that explain the Common Core State Standards in depth. The videos are:
Upcoming Training:
NSBA Annual Conference
April 21-23, 2012
Boston
Joint Conference
May 8, 2012
DoubleTree Hotel
Little Rock
NSBA Southern Region Conference
July 23-26, 2012
Biloxi, Mississippi
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