Arkansas School Boards Association ~ Helping Arkansas School Boards Improve Student Achievement



	Our History The Arkansas School Boards Association came into being in 1955 as an outgrowth of the activities of the Southwest Cooperative Program in Educational Administration, sponsored by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. This program was designed to improve public school administration on the local level in the Southwest Region of the United States. Arkansas was one of the participating states. Through this program, a number of clinics for school board members were conducted throughout the state during 1952, 1953, and 1954. The interest stimulated by the clinics resulted in the organization of the Arkansas School Boards Association. A small group of board members met in DeWitt to discuss the formation of an association, and from that meeting resulted ASBA. A handbook for the state's school board members was drafted in a workshop session at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, during the Summer of 1955. In November of that year at the organizational meeting, officers were elected and a constitution and by-laws were adopted. The office of the association was located in the Education Administration Building on the campus of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville from its inception in 1955 until it was moved to Little Rock in 1969. In 1969, the office was moved to the 1515 Building near the Capitol in Little Rock and an executive director was hired on a half-time basis. The ASBA Newsletter, however, continued to be published by a doctoral student at the university. In 1972, a full-time executive director was employed and publication of the newsletter was moved to the office in Little Rock. ASBA then became a completely autonomous organization. Later that year, an application was filed and a Certificate of Incorporation for a Domestic Non-profit Corporation was granted by the Secretary of State on November 29, 1972. A tax-exempt ruling under Internal Revenue Code, Section 501(c) (4) was granted on August 1, 1973. The association purchased a building in 1979 and moved its offices to 815 Bishop Street in Little Rock, a short walk away from the Capitol. In September 1983, the ASBA Board of Directors approved purchase of a lot at 808 High Street (now Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive), immediately east of its Bishop Street location. Construction of a permanent headquarters building was begun in November 1986. The 5,668 square-foot, two-story building was occupied on June 23, 1987. It was dedicated later that summer by Arkansas First Lady Hillary Clinton in 1987. From 1972 until 1979, the association was staffed by its executive secretary, an administrative assistant, and a part-time student secretary. In 1979, the association hired a full-time communications employee. Today, the association has a staff of 19. Why School Boards? It is only natural that a democratic society should seek ways of keeping close to the people those things it values. The development of American public education through its system of local control through lay school boards reflects the desire of the American people to keep their most vital concern-the education of their children-close to themselves. The fundamental reason, therefore, for the existence of local school boards is to make the will of the people effective in the control of education. The local school board was developed by the people to enable them to direct the destiny of their children. Because of its closeness to the people, the schools have been kept responsive to the public will. The local school board is the people's voice and judgment in educational affairs. With it lies the responsibility for bringing to bear public wisdom on the most important of all public concerns. Representing the people in establishing the purposes and goals of education and generally over-seeing the operation of the schools, the local school board inevitably must carry heavy responsibilities. A program of public education is not something that just happens. It must be planned, financed and administered. The board's function is that of establishing the goals and purposes of public education in a school district. The board must study possibilities and alternatives, within the authority provided by the State of Arkansas, in establishing policies for the operation of the school district. Schools, just as business enterprises, require sound management, adequate financing, capable staffs and formulation of long-range plans and policies. The ASBA's Handbook for Arkansas School Board Members can aid in these endevors. The purpose of this handbook is to assist school board members in Arkansas in gaining a fuller understanding of public education and the board members' relationship in this total operational framework. The major objectives of this handbook are: To create a fuller awareness and understanding of the responsibilities of the individual school board member. To help define the relationship of the school board to professional personnel. To relate the function of school boards to the entire program of public education. To present information and data as a reference for board members. Related Links: ASBA Bylaws ASBA Beliefs & Resolutions ASBA Board of Directors ASBA Staff Related Downloads (pdf): ASBA Handbook for Arkansas School Board Members ASBA Bylaws ASBA Beliefs & Resolutions