ASBA Connect E-News

COMMUNICATIONS

ASBA gathers data on member experiences, take survey now

Over the last 18 months we have heard anecdotally about the experiences of board members interacting with the general public and the impact that may have on future board service. ASBA wants to gather data on member experiences so we can better tell your story with real-world data.

We know you are leading in challenging times. ASBA supports you in the difficult decisions you must make. There is great community interest and, in some cases, disagreement with those decisions, but it is best that these decisions be made in and by the community. As local elected officials, we applaud you for providing valuable and dedicated service to your community.

Please take this survey by 5 p.m. on Friday, October 29, 2021. Only aggregated responses will be shared publicly. No individual data will be disclosed.

Click here to complete survey.

Wednesday Webinars: Questions Every Board Should Ask About Student Achievement (Equity Lens)

When: Wednesday, Oct. 27, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Presented by:
Nikkie Whaley, Board Support and Equity Services Manager, ASBA

Can’t view the webinar live? No problem. Go ahead and register and you will receive the recording automatically by email so you can view it later. There is no cost to register for this webinar.  We encourage advance registration.

Register now

Interested in becoming an officer on the ASBA Board of Directors?  Application closes Nov. 4

Grab a seat at the table and get involved with ASBA!

Five officers serve as the executive committee on the ASBA Board of Directors. They are the president, president-elect, treasurer, secretary and immediate past-president. Each position is held for a one-year term. The officers serve on the board alongside 17 county directors and ex officio voting members that include caucus and alliance presidents.  

Election of the president-elect, treasurer and secretary are held each year at the ASBA Annual Membership Meeting. Application and deadline for applying to become an officer candidate is now open.

Those interested in running for president-elect, treasurer or secretary for 2022 must submit an online application by 5 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021. (The online application opens Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021.)  

HNAIC asks to fix structural gap that has lasted 25 years on ASBA Board of Directors

The Hispanic-Native American Indian Caucus would like to celebrate by asking member districts to vote yes on a change to the ASBA bylaws to create a seat on the ASBA Board of Directors so that a Hispanic AND a Native American representative can serve at the same time.

In 1996, a group of Arizona school board members gathered together to form the Hispanic-Native American Indian Caucus (HNAIC). Their goal was to ensure that the needs of Hispanic and Native students were known and addressed at the state level. The founders believed that representation on the Arizona School Boards Association Board of Directors was necessary to help achieve that goal, and through a change to the bylaws a single seat was added. It was progress, but it created a structural gap in representation that has lasted for 25 years. The seat alternates in two-year periods from a Hispanic representative to a Native American representative. 

View detailed information on this bylaw amendment as well as information on casting your board’s vote.

Voting is now open and will stay open through November. Not only do we need you to participate in the vote, but we also urge you to vote yes so that no students are left behind and no community goes unrepresented. 

Wednesday Webinars: School Finance 101 Four-Part Series

Join us for the first in a four-part series on the budget basics school finance. Learn what board members need to know about this complex, critically important part of ensuring all students succeed. Part one will cover accountability, Arizona’s equalization formula, the Auditor General’s Report and much more.

Presented by:
Julie Bacon, Leadership Development Manager
Melissa Higdon, Senior Advisor, Analytics, Forecast Five,
Tracey Benson, Associate Executive Director
Plus special guests!

Don’t miss the next three webinars as part of the school finance series sponsored by Forecast Five:

LISTEN NOW! October 13, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.: Wednesday Webinars: School Finance 101: Budget Basics, Part 1

November 3, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.: Wednesday Webinars: School Finance 101: Budget Basics, Part 2

December 8, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.: Wednesday Webinars: School Finance 101: Budget Basics, Part 3

December 16, ASBA-ASA Annual Conference: Wednesday Webinars: School Finance 101: Budget Basics, Part 4

All attendees who participate in all four sessions will receive a certificate of completion for the school finance budget basics course.

If you can’t attend the webinar live, receive a recording directly to your email by registering for the event in advance. All events can be found on the ASBA website.

Nominations extended for ASBA Annual Awards

Nominations close Oct. 29

It’s your time to shine. We want to celebrate your district’s achievements! Participate in the ASBA Annual Awards Program.

This year, we are seeing nominations for the following awards:

Lou Ella Kleinz Excellence in Governance Award

The Lou Ella Kleinz Excellence in Governance Award is ASBA’s highest honor for a full board. This award recognizes an Arizona school board that has demonstrated outstanding education leadership for the year.

All-Arizona School Board Member Award

The All-Arizona School Board Member Award is ASBA’s highest individual board member honor. This award is bestowed on up to five Arizona school board members who exemplify best practices in boardsmanship, understand their roles and follow through on their responsibilities.

Honor Roll Award

The Honor Roll Award recognizes retiring board members who were nominated by their boards for outstanding service.

ASBA Golden Bell Promise Program Award

The Golden Bell Awards recognizes school initiatives from throughout the state that maximize the promise in each and every student and have shown outstanding student growth and success.

ASBA Pillar Award for Advocacy

The Arizona School Boards Association Pillar Award for Advocacy recognizes school board members for service in the advocacy arena that goes above and beyond their regular board duties. The pin will be awarded to members who have accumulated a total of 125 points based on the below activities.

School district governing board membership in the Arizona School Boards Association is required to nominate/apply for an award and to receive an award.

All nominations and entries must be submitted using the online forms. Nominations are now open and close Oct. 29.

Please note: The Honor Roll Award is the only award that closes November 20 (for recognizing retiring board members)

Students explain what Hispanic Heritage Month means to them

This year for Hispanic Heritage Month, we interviewed students telling school board members and public education leaders what Hispanic Heritage mean from the student perspective. We posted these videos throughout the month on ASBA Facebook, Twitter and Instagram social media accounts. As the month ends, take time out and view their videos.

AZEdNews Features: Nancy Parra-Quinlan named 2022 Arizona Teacher of the Year

Public Schools, was named Arizona Educational  Foundation’s 2022 Arizona Teacher of the Year during the awards ceremony presented by Desert Financial tonight. Watch………read full article

ASBA Events and Webinars

September 21 – November 4, 2021: ASBA (Virtual) County Meetings 2021

December 15-18, 2021: ASBA-ASA 64th Annual Conference

Upcoming ASBA Webinars

October 27, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Wednesday Webinars: 10 Questions Every Board Should Ask About Student Achievement (Equity Lens)

November 3, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Wednesday Webinars: School Finance 101: Budget Basics, Part 2

November 17, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Wednesday Webinars: The Board Presidency: What Does It Entail and Is It Right for You?

November 29, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Lunch and Learn Webinar: Ask the Experts: An Interactive Conversation

December 8, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Wednesday Webinars: School Finance 101: Budget Basics, Part 3

Plus more! You can find all Wednesday webinars on the ASBA webpage, https://azsba.org/events-asba/. Can’t view the webinar live? No problem. Go ahead and register and you will receive the recording automatically by email so you can view it later. There is no cost to register for this webinar.  We encourage advance registration.

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