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Ask the ASBA Governmental Relations Team
Q & A: What does it mean to be an advocate?
An education advocate uses their voice for good to help Arizona’s students, says Devin Del Palacio, ASBA Advocacy and Strategic Initiatives Consultant. There are many ways to be an advocate for the 90 percent of students who attend Arizona public schools, the key is finding what works best for you.
You can make a phone call, send an email or set up an appointment to visit your elected state senators and representatives to share how bills they’re considering would affect your students, schools and teachers. Ask your school leaders to invite Legislators to visit your schools where they can get answers to their questions from students and staff.
Please take a moment now to fill out the Arizona Legislature’s Request to Speak Form so you as an elected school board member can provide insight to House and Senate Education Committee Members as they make decisions on bills that impact your students, your families and your community schools.
ASBA’s Governmental Relations Team says an important bill to watch is Rep. David Cook’s HCR 2001, which would raise the aggregate expenditure limit this year, and received a do pass recommendation by the House Education Committee last week. ASBA supports this bill and thanks Legislators for making it a priority.
Another bill to keep an eye on is HB 2458, which would prohibit certain instruction around race and ethnicity in public schools, that was approved on a party line vote by the House Education Committee last week. ASBA opposes this bill, because curriculum and instruction are local matters to be decided by each school district’s elected school board.
Remember to register now for the free Town Hall: Public Education in Rural Arizona hosted by the ASBA Rural Alliance on Thursday, March 30, 2023 from 4 to 6 p.m. on Zoom.
Discuss key issues during Advocacy Day at the Capitol
Register now for Advocacy Day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 20 in the Historic Senate chamber at the Capitol. This is a free event for school board members to connect with each other and ASBA’s Government Relations staff to discuss key issues facing school districts this year, learn to be a more effective advocate and either attend an Education Committee hearing or meet with your Legislators that afternoon. Find out more at ASBA’s website by clicking on Events.
Become an ASBA Advocate!
- Text JOINASBA to 52886
- You will receive a text message with a link to join our advocacy efforts. Click it!
- Enter your information, including your home address to link you with your elected officials (ASBA will never share or sell your information)
- That’s it! You’ll receive action alerts from ASBA to easily contact your elected officials to support district schools! Be on the lookout for opportunities to practice during the conference.
- Share with your friends and family who also want to help district schools! Anyone can join at any time.
Gov. Katie Hobbs issues School Board Recognition Month Proclamation
Gov. Katie Hobbs proclaimed January 2023 as School Board Recognition Month during a ceremony attended by ASBA Board of Directors from around the state. Gov. Hobbs cited school boards’ contributions to public education and role providing clear, shared leadership and direction for their schools. This is the first time an Arizona Governor has recognized School Board Recognition month. Take a look at the proclamation here.
How can you use ASBA’s Black History Month resources in your school board role?
Use ASBA resources to help you celebrate Black History Month as school board member or share with your district and classrooms. Check out ASBA’s website which includes links to events, books, information on influential and historic figures, educator resources and social media graphics. To see more, go to ASBA’s website -> click on Communications -> click on ASBA Messages -> click on ASBA Celebrates Black History Month!
How can ASBA salary surveys help you select a superintendent?
Take part in ASBA salary surveys
Hear from ASBA Board of Directors President James Bryce how ASBA’s salary survey helped his board during a superintendent search. Each year, ASBA conducts annual surveys of certified and administrative personnel as well as superintendents that allow us to provide useful and current information to governing boards and district staff throughout the state. The surveys are now open and will close February 13. All questions are asked from the perspective of the superintendent and information provided should reflect the current 2022-2023 contract year. Important: If responses are coordinated from multiple staff members, please be sure to submit only one response from the district to this questionnaire. Find out more by clicking here.
Superintendent searches open for Creighton ESD, Ganado USD and more
ASBA is your one-stop-shop for superintendent searches. From helping your board become search ready, to launching a statewide or nationwide search, to assisting you with a smooth transition post-search – we’ve got you covered. ASBA is searching for a superintendent for several school districts in Arizona, including Quartzsite and Creighton Elementary School Districts, Ray, Ganado and Prescott Unified School Districts. Click here to find out more about the process and recent openings on ASBA’s website.
Encourage your students to apply for ASBA scholarships
Arizona high school seniors who attend classes in an ASBA member district are invited to apply now for ASBA scholarships. Students began applying for scholarships on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, and the deadline all three is 5 p.m. Monday, April 3, 2023.
The Jack Peterson Scholarship is awarded annually to at least one Arizona high school senior who plans to pursue education as their major course of study at the college/university level. Amounts of the awards vary from year to year and are based on annual earnings from the scholarship endowment. Scholarship amounts typically range from $1,000 to $1,500. The scholarship was established in honor of ASBA Executive Director Jack Peterson, who served the association from 1991 to 1998.
The Panfilo H. Contreras Honorary Scholarship was awarded for the first time in 2013 by ASBA’s Hispanic-Native American Indian Caucus. Hispanic and Native American Indian students are eligible to apply for this scholarship to support their attendance at an accredited post-secondary institution. Last year’s scholarships were $1,000 each.
The Georgie and Calvin Goode Student Scholarship was established by the ASBA Black Alliance in 2021 and was awarded for the first time in Spring 2022. Two scholarships of $1,250 each are available. Scholarships will be awarded to high school seniors who demonstrate an exceptional record of academic growth and a commitment to service to others. Applicants must be a currently enrolled senior in an ASBA member district, Black or of African descent and planning to further their education at an accredited postsecondary institution. Find links to the online applications here.
ASBA Events and Webinars
Upcoming ASBA Events
ASBA Advocacy Day 2023
Feb. 20, 2023
Town Hall: Public Education in Rural Arizona
March 30, 2023 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Zoom
New Board Member Orientation Part Two (Virtual)
March 31, 2023
Summer Leadership Institute
June 8 – 10, 2023 Save the Date
In-Person New Board Member Orientation Part Two
June 8, 2023 Save the Date
View all ASBA events on the ASBA website.
Upcoming ASBA Webinars
Wednesday Webinars: Understanding Employee Compensation and Benefits
Feb. 22, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Wednesday Webinars: Decision-Making with an Equity Lens
March 22, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Wednesday Webinars: I Don’t Understand: Engagement and the Importance of Home Language
April 26, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Wednesday Webinars: Students Have Rights?!?!
May 10, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
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 these webinars. We encourage advance registration.