We are halfway there, but no state budget in sight
The Legislative Session just passed the halfway mark, and we haven’t seen any signs of an early budget as promised. We can, however, get a good idea of the K-12 priorities this year from the bills that are advancing through the House and Senate. SB 1234, the full restoration of district additional assistance, and SB 1060, which increases funding for special education, both passed through the Senate with broad support and are waiting to be considered in House Appropriations.
Another priority this year is CTED-related legislation. HB 2741 would fund CTED students in 9th grade or the year immediately following high school graduation. Other bills allow CTEDs to receive funding for students participating in off-site internships, allow CTEDs to form educational partnerships with nonprofits and postsecondary institutions, and exclude CTEDs from being assigned an A-F letter grade. As of now, the future is uncertain for some of the Governor’s budget priorities, like Project Rocket.
Don’t forget to watch our Facebook update live on Fridays. Sign up for our email updates. Stay informed with daily in-session updates, weekly highlights, regulatory hearing summaries and much more! Click here to register If you would like to receive specific information about your legislative district, make sure to provide your home address when you sign up. Already have an account? Sign in here.
New ASBA website and text messages
A new design for the ASBA website will be unveiled in June. ASBA will also be introducing a new feature to send text notifications to members for important announcements or timely information. Look for these new communication enhancements to better serve you as our association members.
Meet our Summer Leaderships Institute Keynote Speaker
ASBA is excited to announce a special workshop with D.J. Eagle Bear Vanas speaking on “The Tip of the Spear.” He is an author, internationally acclaimed, motivational storyteller and leadership and personal development expert.
Come early and attend our pre-conference on “Mental Health and Student Learning Outcomes” and “Social Emotional Learning free programs for school districts, students, parents and teachers.
ADE sends letter to all districts on guidance to schools on COVID-19
The Arizona Department of Education sent a letter to all district superintendents, principals, and charter representatives on March 10, 2020. More information about COVID-19 response in K-12 schools can be found with the Arizona Department of Health Services. View the letter here.
Please participate! Teacher & administrator salary/benefit survey – deadline March 23.
Each year, the Arizona School Boards Association (ASBA) surveys school districts throughout Arizona on teacher and administrator salaries and benefits and compiles the data to provide a valuable resource for comparative analysis and decision-making on issues related to salaries, benefits and budgeting. All districts who complete the survey will receive a summary report of the compiled data, plus a sortable Excel spreadsheet.
This is a member benefit, and the results will be shared only with ASBA members. An email with all the information was sent to all ASBA board presidents, business managers and superintendents on Monday, March 9.
The survey should take no more than 20 minutes to complete. The survey must be completed by 5 p.m. on Monday, March 23, for your district’s information to be included and for you to receive the compiled data as a sortable Excel. Results will be available approximately two weeks after the survey closes.
Book a summer training for your classified staff!
When was the last time you provided special training for your classified staff? Book a customer service training that focuses on creating a welcoming environment using a customer-focus approach.
Customize your training with the following session topics:
- Customer Focus
- Office Culture and Employee Morale
- Customer Engagement
- Customer Relationships
- Customer Standards and Welcoming Environment
- How to Listen and Communicate with Others
- Communicating the Right Message to Market Your School
This fun and interactive training is intended for classified school front office staff but can also be used for all other classified employees in your school district. This training is offered as a 4-hour, 3-hour or 2-hour format. There is no limit to the number of employees in your session.
We come to you and do all the work! So how about scheduling a training for spring or even a summer retreat? Book your training today!
For more information please email Ellen White, ASBA Director of Business & Conferences at ewhite@azsba.org or call 602.254.1100.
Enter the AZEdNews Census Classroom Photo Contest
AZEdNews is excited to launch the 2020 Census Classroom Photo Contest for all public schools in Arizona. Any teacher can enter this fun contest to win a free pizza party.
Contest details are simple.
- Take a class photo of the Census activity happening in the classroom.
- Submit it online with a description of the Census activity.
- A confirmation email will be sent directly to you, and we will post your photo on AZEdNews Facebook and Twitter pages.
The winning classroom will be notified on Census Day April 1, 2020 and receive their free pizza party for participating in sharing the importance of the 2020 Census count. View all details by clicking here.
Why did you become a school board member?
Know anyone running for school board? Send them our way!
Know anyone running for school board? Send them our way! New Webinars
You may have community members interested in running for your school board. Direct them our way!
The Arizona School Boards Association is committed to cultivating excellence in locally-governed school districts. We know the best way to guarantee a quality school in every Arizona community is a well-functioning, locally elected school board. As such, we are dedicated to supporting the efforts of potential and future school board governing members.
ASBA is providing the following webinars for anyone that is interested in running for a school board.
Wednesday, March 25, 6-7 pm
- Getting on the Ballot, Fundraising, and Campaigning
Running for School Board: Legal Requirements for getting on the ballot
What happens once I am on the ballot?
Campaigning 101
Fundraising
Getting your name out
Messaging
Campaign Materials (website, social media sites, signs, direct mail, phone calls and walks, automated calls or robocalls)
Tuesday, November 9, 6-7 pm
- I was Elected: What Now?
What Can I Do Now? (participating in meetings, executive sessions, board updates, etc.)
ASBA’s New Board Member Orientation Program
District Onboarding (see onboarding tool)
Organizational Meeting
All webinars are recorded and emailed directly to registrants. For more information on how to become a school board member, please visit, https://azsba.org/becoming-a-board-member/.