Stop,Shift,&Share

P.4

Students Come First Increases Local Control P.8

vol.29 | no.2 | april.2011

THE ROLE OF THE BOARD CLERK / 26

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS / 24

SBOE SUPPORTS STUDENTS COME FIRST / 10

CYBERBULLYING / 11

ALSO:

A PUBLICATION OF THE IDAHO SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION

FROM THE DIRECTOR’S CHAIR

PRESIDENT

PRESIDENT-ELECT

VICE PRESIDENT

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT

Dallas Clinger, American Falls Jt. School District

Vacant

Anne Ritter, Meridian Jt. School District

Wayne Freedman, Council School District

EXECUTIVE BOARD OFFICERS

EXECUTIVE COMMIT TEE

EXECUTIVE BOARD

Karen Echeverria

Misty Jones

Jessica Harrison

Shoni Pegram

Kristi Toolson

Liz Killpack

Donagene TurnbowDrew Meyer

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

MARKETING & EVENTS MANAGER

POLICY & GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COOR.

COMMUNICATIONS & BD. TRAINING COOR.

FINANCE & OFFICE COORDINATOR

BOARD TRAINERS

ISBA STAFF

Board Officers & Executive Director

Regional Representatives, Board Officers & Executive Director

IDAHO SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION

222 N. 13th Street | Boise, ID 83702PO Box 9797 | Boise, ID 83707

PH: 208.854.1476 | FAX: 208.854.1480 | TOLL FREE: 866.799.ISBA (4722)Web: www.idsba.org

IDAHO SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION

REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES

REGION I

REGION II

REGION III

REGION IV

REGION V

REGION VI

REGION VII

REGION VIII

Larry Brown, Lakeland School DistrictMargie Gannon, St. Maries Jt. School District

Dawn Fazio, Moscow School DistrictJohn Menter, Troy School District

Jackie Hopper, Caldwell School DistrictRichard Cook, Notus School District

Todd Wells, Castleford Jt. School DistrictLucinda Rogers, Gooding Jt. School District

Susan Fletcher, American Falls School DistrictDavid Andersen, Oneida Co. School District

Nancy Arnold, Teton Co. School DistrictJ.D. Tolman, Blackfoot School District

Judy Lish, Butte Co. Jt. School DistrictDeb Foster, South Lemhi School District

Barbara Dixon, Meadows Valley School DistrictMargie Chipman, Weiser School District

APRIL 2011 • SLATE 3

IN THIS ISSUE

IN EVERY ISSUE FEATURES4.From the Director’s Chair

Stop, Shift, & Share

7.President’s Message

Excellence

8.Public Instruction

Students Come First Increases Local Control

10.From the State Board of Education

SBOE Supports Students Come First

11.Safety Notes

Cyberbullying

13.Ask ISBA

Conducting Interviews for Trustee Vacancy

14.Getting to Know the

ISBA Executive Board

Meet Dawn Fazio

4 8

15.Meet ISBA’s Newest Staff Members

16.The Top 10 Benefits of

Being an ISBA Member

20.Trustees: Say ‘Thanks’ to Your Employers

21.Two Caldwell School District Trustees

Representing Idaho Well

24.Executive Board Meeting Highlights

26.Board Policy: The Role of the Board Clerk

27.Media Relations: Opportunity or Trap?

28.School District Trustee Zones

CONTRIBUTORSKaren EcheverriaDallas ClingerTom LunaRichard WesterbergAllan Ranstrom and Pat Pinkham

EDITORIAL OFFICE:P.O. Box 9797, Boise, ID 83707-4797

PHONE: (208) 854-1476TOLL-FREE: (866) 799-4722FAX: (208) 854-1480ONLINE: www.idsba.org

ISBA MISSION STATEMENT

Subscription to the SLATE, published

five times per year, is by membership

to the Idaho School Boards Association.

The material contained herein is for

informational purposes only and may

be quite divergent in point of view and/

or controversial in nature. It is the belief

of the Association that the democratic

process functions best through discussions

which challenge and stimulate thinking

on the part of the reader. Therefore, this

material does not necessarily reflect the

opinion of the Association or its members.

vol.29 | no.2 | april.2011

The mission of the Idaho School Boards

Association is to provide leadership and

services to local school boards for the

benefit of students and for the advocacy of

public education.

12

2011 ISBA CALENDAR

See page 15 for dates ISBA Spring Regional Meetings

November 10-12ISBA Annual Convention

Eastern Idaho - July 14Northern Idaho - July 21Boise - July 28

Summer Leadership Institute !Calendar

4 SLATE • APRIL 2011

by Karen Echeverria

While not as long as other legislative sessions I have

participated in, this one was particularly grueling,

difficult, and exhausting. The lack of dollars and

the issues were not easy for anyone – trustees,

educators, legislators, other elected officials, students,

parents, patrons. Our membership was divided on

the Students Come First legislation – rabidly divided

– and that made it even more difficult for me.

I’M A PLEASER The most difficult part for me was

that I knew early on that I would not be able to

please all our members, and, I want nothing more

than to please our entire membership. I am thankful

for our ability to survey our members so that we

could quickly get advice from all of you. That at least

gave me a roadmap of where the majority of our

members felt we should be headed.

METHODS OF LOBBYING Different organizations have

different ways of reaching their legislators to lobby

them with their perspective on issues. I mean no

disrespect to any one organization; I am only trying

to point out the differences.

As we all saw, the Idaho Education Association

(IEA) and the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) chose

a more vocal and media centered approach. The ISBA

has taken a different approach since I have been in

this position. Phil Homer and Harold Ott, on behalf

of and the Idaho Association of Administrators (IASA)

have taken a similar approach as ISBA.

Phil, Harold, Jessica Harrison, Pat Sullivan, and

I have made a direct effort to establish personal

relationships with legislators, especially those who

have leadership roles and/or make decisions about

how and when to move legislation forward. Those

relationships allow us to have access to information

before the public may see it. They allow us to be

a part of recommendations or amendments to

legislation before it is printed.

When it comes time to lobby for a specific issue,

those personal relationships play a big role. Our

reputation precedes us and it carries more weight

than we might otherwise have had. We are oftentimes

approached prior to the crafting of the legislation.

That does not mean that we support or don’t support

the legislation – only that we have been asked for

our opinion.

This has truly been a year of teamwork for

ISBA and IASA. When any one of the lobbyists is

approached with an issue, we are sure to bring the

other into the loop so that we are all aware of what

is occurring. This has been a tremendous move on all

our parts and made us even more effective.

&SHARESTOP, SHIFT

APRIL 2011 • SLATE 5

FROM THE DIRECTOR’S CHAIR

DIFFERENT APPROACH I will acknowledge that this

is a different approach than ISBA used to take with

lobbying. When I was first hired at ISBA, it was to

be your lobbyist. I quickly learned that the method

that had been used was not my style. That method

was one of being the watchdog; waiting until the

legislation was printed, and then taking a position

to oppose or support. I felt strongly that that method

of lobbying had out lived its usefulness. It was time

for a change – a different approach. An approach

that I thought would better serve ISBA and all our

members.

I have been lobbying at some level for around

17 years and had built many relationships with

legislators and those in the state education

offices. I was confident that by continuing to build

relationships, we could move ourselves into a

position of influence. I have been asking all of you

to call your local legislators, say hello, introduce

yourself, reintroduce yourself, congratulate them on

their election, give them your number, and tell them

you are available to help them any time. It is those

very relationships that make us effective.

It is my belief that we are more effective by

establishing those relationships and working in the

background. I think our record over the past couple

of years bears that out. We have been much more

successful than those that try to make their case in

the media.

BE KNOWLEDGEABLE Aside from establishing

relationships, it is also important that you be

knowledgeable when you call your legislator or

choose to testify in front of any committee.

I estimate that I sat through around 100 hours

of testimony on various bills. Jessica spent a similar

amount of time. In reference to the Students Come

First legislation, I can’t tell you the number of people

that testified that had not even read the legislation!!!

When questioned, they would indicate that they had

read parts of it but not all. When questioned further,

it was apparent that they did not understand the

provisions of the bills. These same presenters would

also embellish and overstate the impacts that the

legislation would have. This sort of testimony causes

legislators to stop listening. At some point, they aren’t

sure if the presenter knows and understands the bill

and simply don’t believe the over-dramatization that

sometimes occurred.

That was not the case with the trustees. When

questioned, you were knowledgeable, informed, and

able to articulate the impacts the legislation would

have on your local districts. I was really proud of

all the trustees who took the time to testify at the

many various meetings that were held. All of you

understood the legislation you were testifying for or

against. This is another reason that ISBA members

are respected.

DISAGREEMENTS AND MOVING ON As I previously

stated, this has been a difficult legislative session.

Our members have been divided. Some members

don’t think we did enough, some think we did too

much. Some believe we should have taken a more

firm position in support, others think we should

have been more firm in our opposition. Some believe

we should have been more vocal, others think we

should have continued as we did.

STOP, SHIFT, AND SHARE So where do we go from

here? How do we move on with the division that

occurred with our members this past legislative

session? I guess we have two choices. We can spend

our time trying to second guess if we did the right

thing and attempting to discredit those with whom

we did not agree. Or, we can take the high road. We

need to work to implement the changes that occurred

with the legislation and to share those practices with

our fellow board members and school districts. I truly

hope that you will all choose the later and I have an

idea about how we might get there.

If you heard me testify to any of the committees,

you heard me speak about President Clinger and

I having the opportunity to attend the National

School Boards Association Leadership Conference in

Washington DC. While we were there, we had the

opportunity to hear from Jamie Vollmer, author of the

book entitled, “Schools Cannot Do It Alone: Building

Support for America’s Public Schools”. He challenged

us, all of us, to change the conversation we are

having today about public education. He said we

need to stop, shift, and share. He said that we need

to stop bad mouthing each other in public. We need

to shift our attention from negative to positive. We

need to start talking about our successes and have

positive conversations of greatness and possibility.

continued...

We need to

STOP bad

mouthing

each other

in public.

We need to

SHIFT our

attention

from

negative to

positive.

We need to

to SHARE

at least five

positive

things about

education

every week.

6 SLATE • APRIL 2011

I’LL BE THE FIRST TO TRY I pledge to stop talking

about all the presenters that were not prepared

when they testified before the committees.

I pledge to shift my thought processes by working

to find ways for all of us to implement these changes.

All of us includes trustees, superintendents, business

managers, clerks, teachers, non-certificated staff,

parents, and patrons. It will take all of us to make

this work.

I pledge to share success stories that I hear with

the rest of the membership. We will either place

these success stories on our website or I will send

emails periodically about your successes.

ARE YOU UP FOR THE CHALLENGE? I know it

would be easy to continue with the negative. The

cuts to public education over the past few years are

unprecedented and have made the work of trustees

very hard. But we have the ability to change the

conversations we have about what has occurred. It

rests in your hands. I have all the faith in the world

that you can all do it.

Are you ready to stop, shift, and share? I hope

you.... I think you are.

ISBA is pleased to announce Jamie Vollmer as a

keynote speaker at the ISBA Annual Convention

in November. Jamie is president of Vollmer,

Inc., a public education advocacy firm working

to increase student success by raising public

support for America’s schools. Jamie is the author

of the highly acclaimed book, Schools Cannot Do

It Alone: Building Public Support for America’s

Public Schools, one of the top ten education

books of 2010 according to the American School

Board Journal. He is the 2010 recipient of the

Learning and Liberty award presented by the

National School Public Relations Association in

recognition of his efforts over twenty years to

strengthen school/community partnerships.

FROM THE DIRECTOR’S CHAIR

Finally, he told us to share at least five positive

things about education every week.

• Saying negative things about each other

– about other trustees, staff, fellow board

members, lobbyists, educators, elected officials,

Superintendent Luna, the IEA

• The negative conversations we are having – with

our families, friends, legislators, media, and

each other

• Begin a positive conversation

• There is a way to indicate your position and

desire without being negative

• Begin working on how to positively implement

these changes

• Your successes. When you find a new way to

make all of this work, tell your story – to ISBA,

the media, your fellow board members

• Something good or nice that a teacher in your

school district did today

• Something good that your fellow board member

did

• Something good that one or all of your ISBA

Executive Board members did this legislative

session

ISBA Executive Director karen@idsba.org

STOP

SHIFT

SHARE

So, here is my challenge to all of you:

Jamie Vollmer to Speak at ISBA Convention

The cuts to public

education over

the past few years

are unprecedented

and have made

the work of

trustees very

hard. But we

have the ability

to change the

conversation we

have about what

has occurred.

It rests in your

hands. I have all

the faith in the

world that you

can do it.

APRIL 2011 • SLATE 7

First of all, what is a trustee? According to dictionary.com

a trustee is, “a person, usually one of a body of persons,

appointed to administer the affairs of a company, institution,

etc.” Ok, so that is not so earth shattering. As trustees we understand

the responsibilities to administer the affairs of our local school districts.

We also understand that we act as trustees only when there is a quorum

and that without a quorum we are only patrons of the district but with

an added responsibility to have our ears to the ground and our eyes fixed

firmly on the goals of the district.

Trustee also implies a fiduciary responsibility. We have all struggled

with the delicate balance of meeting the needs of our children with the

limited resources we have. We also have responsibilities to the teachers,

administrators, patrons and taxpayers of our districts; to make sure

we are utilizing the resources at our disposal with judgment and care.

Sometimes getting the right balance is tricky. We must never transfer that

fiduciary responsibility to anyone. It is our elected duty.

Now I ponder the meaning of trustee leadership. In my previous

Slate article, I wrote my thoughts on what leadership is and how good

leadership is so much more crucial in difficult times. Over the years, as

I have come to know many of the trustees of this state, I am convinced

that we have the best leaders; all elected to administer local school

districts. It never ceases to amaze me that there are approximately 560

Idahoans that spend their own money to get elected to a position where

they donate their time, talents and expertise to their local districts only

to receive those late night phone calls and spend countless hours each

month sitting in meetings trying to make our vanishing resources cover

the ever expanding requirements. We must really love our children.

The next question that needs to be asked is: What is excellence in

Idaho public education? That is probably the hardest part of our Vision

Statement to really understand and to articulate. Excellence, to me, is

not perfection. We can excel without being perfect. We will always have

room to improve, and improve we must. We should always ask ourselves:

“Does our vision get us to where we need to be or do we need to make

course corrections to get us there?” and “Are we providing everything

within our power to improve the educational experience of the students

under our responsibility?”

I believe we have excellent teachers and administrators. Our children

are getting a great education. My five children have all received their

K-12 education here in Idaho. I have seen them going on to the colleges

and universities and excel there as well. They received a great education

in the public schools here in Idaho; in fact, I would go as far as to say

they received an excellent education. I also see children coming into our

districts with limited English proficiency, graduating and furthering their

educations, many of them returning to our community to become great

citizens and contributors.

We have challenges motivating the less motivated and helping the

less fortunate get a complete and thorough education. The requirements

of the state and federal governments and our limited resources to meet

those requirements are challenges in and of themselves. We are also

challenged by the disintegration of the families. More and more of our

students arrive to school without breakfast and without the parental

support to get their homework done and get a good night sleep. Many of

our children have to tend younger siblings while their parent or parents

are working.

We will always be faced with challenges. When we resolve some, new

ones will appear. Challenges have always been here and will always be

with us. When you are weighed down remember that challenges produce

the opportunities for greatness. If there weren’t challenges, then we

wouldn’t need great leaders. Excellence, in the face of challenges, can be

achieved as we work towards getting all children to meet their potential.

In our local districts, we must always be sharing our vision especially

in these times of change. We need to be our local district’s best supporter

and advocate. We need to continue to work tirelessly to promote the

excellent education that our children are receiving. I don’t buy into the

idea that our system is broken and that we need major reformations to

fix it. We do need to make sure that, at the local level, we are providing

the best technology that our districts can afford and encouraging our

children to push themselves to higher achievement.

I hope that when I am done with my season of service on my

local board I can say “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my

course; I have made a difference in the lives of the children of our

community.”

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

EXCELLENCEVISION WAS ONCE EXPLAINED AS “A PICTURE OF THE FUTURE YOU LAY CLAIM TO NOW.”

THE VISION OF THE IDAHO SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION IS: “TRUSTEE LEADERSHIP FOR

EXCELLENCE IN IDAHO PUBLIC EDUCATION.” A MYRIAD OF THOUGHTS COME TO MY HEAD

AS I HAVE PONDERED AND CONTEMPLATED THESE FEW WORDS. by Dallas Clinger

DALLAS CLINGER ISBA President

8 SLATE • APRIL 2011

With the passage of Senate Bills 1108 and

1110, locally elected school boards now have

more authority and flexibility than they have

had in decades.

As State Superintendent and a former

school board trustee, I have every confidence

that our current and future school boards will

act in the best interest of Idaho students –

always putting our kids first and making them

the priority.

These two bills give you that ability to put

students first.

Right now, our public education system

makes it nearly impossible to reward excellent

teachers and to deal with poor teaching. If our

goal is to make sure Idaho students are put

first, we must remove the barriers to both

because we know the most important factor

in a student’s academic success is the quality

of the teacher in the classroom. Knowing that,

we cannot leave it to chance.

Instead, we must give locally elected

school board trustees the tools they need to

manage their local workforce and to reward

Idaho’s great teachers. That is what these two

bills will accomplish through your leadership.

For too many years, the pendulum of

power in school districts has swung away

from the elected leaders. Senate Bill 1108

returns control to local school boards.

This reform is essential if we are going

to ensure every Idaho student succeeds.

Research shows students need a highly

effective teacher every year they are in school.

According to Dr. Robert Marzano, an average

student excels academically after just one

year in the classroom with a great teacher.

Conversely, that same average student will

suffer academically if just one year is spent

with an ineffective teacher – and the student

may never catch up.

We cannot allow this to happen. It’s clear

that every year in a student’s education is

critical.

BY TOM LUNA

SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION

INCREASES LOCAL CONTROLSTUDENTS COME FIRST

APRIL 2011 • SLATE 9

As school board trustees, you have been

vested with the authority to manage the

workforce at the local level to ensure every

academic year is meaningful. Now, Senate Bill

1108 gives you the flexibility you need to fulfill

this duty.

First, the bill removes the “evergreen”

clause from local master agreements. No

longer will the school boards of today be

tied by decisions made by school boards of

the past. Instead, each year, the local school

board and teachers’ association will agree on

a new master agreement.

Second, the bill eliminates seniority as a

criterion for reduction in force. For too long,

district superintendents and school board

trustees have had to let go some of the most

effective educators in a district because those

individuals didn’t have seniority. No longer

will we allow longevity to determine teacher

quality. Now, as school board members, you

will set the right criteria for reduction in force.

Third, the bill phases out teacher tenure.

If we are going to put students first, we can

no longer permit a forever contract in our

schools. Those teachers who currently have

tenure will keep it. New teachers in Idaho

will be offered up to a two-year contract.

This gives Idaho’s elected school boards the

flexibility they need to attract and retain the

best possible teachers every year.

Finally, the bill enhances the performance

evaluation process for professional staff.

At least 50 percent of all professional staff

evaluations – from the superintendent to

teachers – will be tied to student achievement.

Local trustees will work with parents, teachers

and other stakeholders to develop the student

achievement measures and how they will be

evaluated each year. In addition, parent input

must be considered in all teacher performance

evaluations. The local school board will

determine how to collect and include this

parent input going forward.

In addition to providing more local control

in the operations of the districts, Senate Bill

1110 will give local school boards the ability

to reward Idaho teachers for their hard work

in the classroom each and every day. All pay-

for-performance bonuses will be in addition to

a teacher’s salary, and most of the decisions

regarding these bonuses will be made at the

local level.

The pay-for-performance plan approved by

the Legislature is not new for Idaho schools

and districts. We discussed the details of

this plan extensively in 2009 when the State

applied for the federal Race to the Top grant.

The plan was developed and agreed to by

all educational stakeholders, including the

Idaho Education Association, Idaho School

Boards Association, Idaho Association of

School Administrators, Idaho Superintendents’

Association, Idaho Business Coalition for

Education Excellence, Idaho State Board of

Education and the Governor’s Office.

This plan awards teachers for working in

hard-to-fill positions, taking on leadership

duties, or working in a school that shows

academic growth year over year. The local

school board will determine the hard-to-fill

positions, the leadership positions, and the

bonuses that will be awarded for each of

these.

Student achievement bonuses will be

distributed at the state and local levels. The

school board will work with local educational

stakeholders to develop local student

achievement goals that are eligible for awards

each year.

The State will award student achievement

bonuses on a schoolwide basis each year. If a

school meets academic targets for growth or

overall achievement in a year, all the certified

staff in the school building will receive a

bonus. This recognizes that all teachers

contribute to a student’s academic success,

not just teachers in core subject areas.

The State portion of student achievement

awards also focus on growth. In fact, 70 percent

of the State student achievement awards will

go to the staff of schools showing academic

growth because we know education is a

process, not a destination. We should reward

educators for the growth their students make

while they are teaching them. This is the only

fair way to measure academic performance.

Under this plan, Idaho’s teachers will have

the opportunity to earn up to $8,000 a year

in bonuses on top of their annual salary. This

is how we can finally improve teacher pay

and give Idaho’s great teachers more control

over how much they make each year. This is

how we will attract and retain the best and

the brightest into the teaching profession in

Idaho.

These reforms in Senate Bills 1108 and

1110 are changes the Idaho Legislature and

school boards have discussed for years. Many

of them were considered back in the mid-

1990s when I was a local trustee. These are

policies whose time has come.

Now, it is up to local leaders across

the State to implement these new policies

fairly and effectively. With this additional

authority comes a new level of scrutiny

and accountability. Therefore, as elected

officials, the onus is on you to ensure every

decision you make works to improve the local

school, community, and above all, student

achievement.

PUBLIC INSTRUCTION

10 SLATE • APRIL 2011

The debate on Superintendent Tom Luna’s

Students Come First plan has raged now for

close to three months. I want to take this

opportunity to clearly state that I personally,

and as the current president of the Idaho State

Board of Education, support good teachers. I

do not believe that this reform as proposed

will bring the current system to its knees as

some have predicted but will, in fact, help

those good teachers who are doing such

wonderful things in classrooms throughout

the State be recognized for that effort.

First up, the Idaho State Board of

Education supports the tenets of the plan.

The SBOE has long advocated for changes

to Idaho Code that give local trustees more

flexibility in make decisions that impact

their districts especially when it comes to

employment contracts.

Change is never easy nor should it be.

When a state or any level of government is

looking at such a monumental shift in how

it approaches its responsibilities, intense

scrutiny is, and should be, part of the process.

That scrutiny however, must be held at

a level that it is respectful and warrants

professionalism from all parties

involved.

SBOE SUPPORTSSTUDENTS COME FIRST

FROM THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION

President, State Board of Educationby Richard WesterbergAs we move forward towards

implementation of Students Com First, let us

put our differences of opinion aside and come

together- for the sake of the students. After

all, we are all doing this for the betterment of

the students. Even if we don’t totally agree

with what has or might happen, in the end it

is us, the adults, the leaders, those who are

in positions that can and do affect change-

it is us to whom the students will look for

direction. If we react with professionalism,

with maturity and with resolve to do our best-

our students will follow with similar behavior.

That is not to say they will agree, nor is it to

imply that they should follow blindly. But we

all should do our absolute best to ensure that

the lessons that we impart through our words

and deeds are worthy of their attention.

AS WE MOVE FORWARD TOWARDS IMPLEMENTATION OF STUDENTS COME FIRST, LET US PUT OUR DIFFERENCES OF OPINION ASIDE AND COME TOGETHER- FOR THE SAKE OF THE STUDENTS.

Richard Westerberg lives in Preston, is

the current president of the Idaho State

Board of Education and served 12 years

as a trustee on the Preston School Board.

APRIL 2011 • SLATE 11

C yberbullies use voice messages, email, text messages, digital

photos, video, or personal web pages to deliberately harass,

intimidate, or embarrass another person. Students can send

hurtful text messages to others or spread rumors using cell phones or

computers. Teens have also created web-pages, videos, and profiles

on social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace to make fun

of others. With cell phones, teens have taken pictures or video in a

bedroom, bathroom, or other location where privacy is expected and

posted or distributed these pictures electronically.

There are many detrimental outcomes associated with cyberbullying.

The targets of the bullying often feel depressed, sad, angry, and frustrated.

Many victims who experience cyberbullying are afraid or embarrassed to

go to school, and research has shown links between cyberbullying and

low self esteem, academic problems, school violence, and delinquent

behavior. There are a number of different studies used to estimate the

numbers of students who experience cyberbullying; with most estimates

ranging from 20% to 50% of the student population.

Cyberbullying is different from traditional bullying. The cyberbullies

can hide their identity behind their computer or cell phone by using

anonymous email addresses, or screen names. It is also easier to be cruel

using technology. It can be done at physically distant locations, and the

bully does not have to see the immediate response of the victim. The

effect of cyberbullying can be devastating due to the speed in which the

bullying can spread.

Schools must take extra precautions before disciplining students for

cyberbullying behavior in cases where the technology was used away

from the school campus. If so, the constitutional guarantee of protected

speech may apply. School districts should use an Acceptable Use Policy

(AUP) signed by both the students and his/her parents in exchange

for use of the schools computer, hardware, and network. The AUP is a

contract that calls for the student to agree to use proper online behavior,

regardless of whether the behavior occurs at school or at a different

location. An AUP gives the school a legal foundation to discipline bullies

no matter where the behavior occurred or what type of device was used.

and Pat Pinkhamby Allan Ranstrom

bullyingCyberCyberbullying is a type of bullying that is rapidly growing in public

schools. It is defined as “willful and repeated harm inflicted through

the use of computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices”.

SAFETY NOTES

It is easier to be cruel using

technology. It can be done at

physically distant locations, and

the bully does not have to see the

immediate response of the victim. continued...

12 SLATE • APRIL 2011

Allan Ranstrom Pat Pinkham

The most important step a school can take to prevent cyberbullying is

to educate students about responsible technology use. Students need to

know that all forms of bully behavior are wrong, and those that choose to

engage in harassing behavior will be subject to discipline.

School district staff should review their harassment and bullying

policies, be trained in indentifying typical cyberbullying behavior, and

understand how and to whom bullying behavior is to be reported.

Evidence of cyberbullying should be carefully preserved. This would

include any text messages, emails, digital photos or videos, or internet

pages. If a school staff member becomes aware of cyberbullying, and

does not report it, the district could be held legally liable.TM

If you have questions on Cyberbullying or on accessing safety & loss control training for your district through the SafeSchools.com website, please contact Allan Ranstrom or Pat Pinkham at Moreton & Company. They can be reached at 800-341-6789.

MORETON & COMPANY

BUSINESS PARTNER

DIAMONDISBA

...continued from previous page

School Districts that use SafeSchools.com can access several staff

training presentations on the subject of computer online safety including

courses on:

•Cyberbullying

•Online Predators

•Online Safety-Threats of Violence

BUSINESS PARTNER

BRONZEISBA

APRIL 2011 • SLATE 13

We have a trustee vacancy on our board and would like to conduct interviews of potential candidates. Should this be done in executive session or in open meeting? Additionally, do you have any suggested questions to ask these candidates?

ASK ISBA

Pursuant to Idaho Code Section 67-2345(1)(a), you can hold an executive session

to “consider hiring a public officer, employee, staff member of individual agent,

wherein the respective qualities of the individuals are to be evaluated in order to fill

a particular vacancy or need. This paragraph does not apply to filling a vacancy in an

elective office or deliberations about staffing needs in general.”

There are several great questions to ask trustee candidates. The ISBA has a document on its

webpage that provides several questions you may want to consider asking the candidates. The

document can be found on the ISBA website (www.idsba.org) and then following the tabs “Board

Development” – “Board Candidate Resources” – “School Board Candidate Questions”.

Q:A:

ASKISBA

Ask ISBA is one of the newest services ISBA offers to its membership. ISBA staff receive questions from trustees, superintendents, and clerks on a variety of topics. To help others learn from these questions and answers, the Ask ISBA web feature has been added

to the ISBA website at www.idsba.org. We encourage you to check this site if you have questions. It is possible that someone else has asked the question. If not, you can ask the question so that everyone else will benefit from the answer as well.

about

Ask ISBA

14 SLATE • APRIL 2011

I began serving as a school board member in the

early 1990s in a small K-6 district near Lincoln,

Nebraska. It was so small that I was also the

treasurer for the district. When I returned to

Moscow, I applied and was appointed to fill

a position vacated by a board member who

moved. I have served on the Moscow School

Board since July 1994, the last 8 years as Chair.

I served as a Region 2 representative to the

ISBA Executive Board for several years in the

late 1990s and was recently reelected to serve

as Region 2 Chair.

School board service must run in my blood

because my dad served on the board in our

small school district in northern New York for 30

years. I serve because I love working with our

dedicated educators and working to improve

public education. I believe a good public

educational system is crucial to our country’s

success as a democracy and a world leader. I

have found that being a board member is always

interesting and challenging. I can draw on my

experiences as a former elementary teacher

and as a successful parent and business owner

to help meet those challenges.

Hiring the right superintendent is the most important part of your job as a board member.

Choose your district´s superintendent wisely and take the time to delineate the roles of the

board and the superintendent. This will make your job as a school board member easier and

more enjoyable. The superintendent as CEO is the one responsible for the ultimate success

of your district, everything from student achievement and finances to staff morale and

community involvement. Establish a good working relationship with your superintendent

and then let him or her do their job.

My official name is Dawna, but I

usually go by Dawn. I grew up in the

mountains of northern New York, met

my husband, Jim, in graduate school at

Colorado State University and moved

to Moscow in 1974 when he got a job

teaching at the University of Idaho.

Moscow has been a great place to live

and raise our two children, Walter and

Julianna, who recently graduated from

BYU. We enjoy the outdoors together

hiking, bird-watching, bicycling, skiing

and traveling. I am self-employed

running our family business now in its

26th year, a catalog and online store

with all sorts of Smokey Bear gifts and

collectibles. Nine years ago we added

an arts and crafts retail store called

Northwest Showcase and this past fall

a JCPenney Merchant (Catalog) Center.

ABOUT MY SERVICE

WHY I SERVE ON THE BOARD

MY BEST ADVICE

GETTING TO KNOW THE ISBA EXECUTIVE BOARD

Dawn FazioMOSCOW JT. SCHOOL DISTRICT #281

ISBA REGION 2 CHAIRMAN

A LITTLE ABOUT ME

APRIL 2011 • SLATE 15

Shoni PegramJob Title: Communications and Board Training Coordinator

Let me begin by letting you know how exciting and enjoyable

it is for me to be a new member of the ISBA staff and this

wonderful organization as the part-time Communications and

Board Training Coordinator.

This is such a very important

and monumental time

for Idaho education and I

consider it a tremendous

opportunity to be part

of the leading education

association in Idaho.

Working with our dedicated

trustees, staff colleagues,

state officials and legislators

in this historic time is very

gratifying.

As a life-long resident of Idaho and graduate of Caldwell

High School, you can also find me at the College of Idaho where I

am a senior pursuing a degree in Political Economy with a minor

in Leadership Studies. Working with all of you at ISBA fits right in

with my interest in government and active personality. I’ve been

fortunate to work for several candidates and elected officials

and I am really happy to build on that experience now with ISBA.

Please call on me anytime I can be of assistance.

Kristi ToolsonJob Title: Finance and Office Coordinator

I grew up on a ranch spending my summers in Caribou County

and the winters (and school) in Rupert. After marrying Don in

1986 I moved to Rupert full time where we owned and operated

Minidoka Pharmacy for

many years. Choosing to

sell to a larger company, I

sought employment with

the Minidoka County School

District as an Elementary

School Secretary. Working in

the schools for eight years

gave me a great appreciation

for the teachers, students

and ALL staff members. My

last 1 1/2 years was spent

at District Office where

I was able to cross-train with our School Board Clerk, Patricia

Knoblauch.

Away from work, I love spending time with my family,

including sons, Philip and Adrian, and volunteering for various

causes.

I feel privileged to be part of the ISBA Team and will do all in

my power to provide any assistance needed.

NEWEST STAFFMeet ISBA’s

ISBA

Spring REGIONAL MEETINGS

REGION 1: Wednesday, April 27 • 6:00 pm • Post Falls High School

REGION 2: Tuesday, April 26 • 6:00 pm • Timber Creek Grill (Buffet Style Dinner) • 2305 Nez Perce Dr., Lewiston

REGION 3: Wednesday, April 20 • 6:30 pm • ISBA Office, 222 N. 13th St., Boise

REGION 4: Wednesday, May 4 • 6:30 pm • 6:30 pm Refreshments, 7:00 pm Meeting • Shoshone High School

REGION 5: Monday, May 2 • 6:00 pm • Pocatello/Chubbuck SD Office • 3115 Poleline Rd.

REGION 6: Tuesday, May 3 • 7:00 pm • Jefferson District Office, 3850 E. 300 N., Rigby

REGION 7: Thursday, April 21 • 7:00 pm • Teleconference

REGION 8: Thursday, April 28 • 7:00 pm • Weiser High School Library • Teleconference also available

16 SLATE • APRIL 2011

APRIL 2011 • SLATE 17

2 property & liability insurance

over $4 Million in dividends.

board trainingBoard Training is a vital aspect of a school board’s ongoing

professional development. Sign up for an ISBA board training module

that can address the needs of your school board and district staff:

Protect your schools and reduce your costs by participating in a program specifically designed for Idaho school districts. 90% of Idaho school districts are now enrolled, and over the past 10 years have received

• Effective Board Governance

• Leadership for Student Achievement

• Strategic Planning

• Education Law

• School Finance and the Boards Role

• Board Goal Setting and Self Assessment

• Parliamentary Procedure

• Policy

• Effective Meetings and Open Meeting Laws

Plus^!

travel insurance

3Every ISBA school board member is covered with

$50,000 additional life insurance in case of an

Contact ISBA’s board trainers

liz@idsba.org208-589-4037Liz Killpack:

donagene_turnbow@idsba.org208-659-7343Donagene Turnbow:

Drew Meyer:

208-521-2232

drew@idsba.org

1no.

15-25Points

$ $

accident during district-related travel.

18 SLATE • APRIL 2011

publications

7no.

THE SLATE is published five times a year, provides an in-depth

perspective of issues all board members need to understand and offers a

quick summary of current news and upcoming activities.

THE POLICY UPDATE NEWSLETTER is published quarterly to keep

members apprised of current policy changes.

THE ESQUIRE is ISBA’s legal newsletter, published quarterly to keep trustees

informed of emerging legal issues in education.

CAPITOL NOTES is an electronic publication (e-newsletter) posted weekly

on our website during the legislative session (Jan-March).

policy services

5 A primary function of ISBA is to support and improve policy-making by Idaho public school

boards. The Policy Services staff provide reliable, authoritative policy assistance

and information to help school boards draft and maintain policies.

Over one-half of Idaho school districts and six charter schools are currently members

of the update service. In addition, several districts have contracted our services for a

custom re-write of their current policy manual.

ISBA Policy Staff help schools update their policies

based upon changes in Legislation

Be proactive; avoid costly

litigation. Our legal staff fields

calls and emails every day.

Give us a call when you have

a legal question. If it takes 20

minutes or less it's FREE!

The Annual Convention is a valuable

professional development opportunity for

boards, superintendents, and clerks. In

addition, the ISBA Business Session is your school

board's opportunity to vote on the policy issues

that will make up your association's legislative

agenda for the upcoming year.

legalservices6 annual convention

The 2011 Annual Convention will be held in Coeur d’Alene

November 10-12

APRIL 2011 • SLATE 19

EASTERN IDAHO14

NORTHERN IDAHO

21

BOISE

28

MARK YOURCALENDARS

The Summer Leadership Institute (formerly known as the New Board Member Workshop) is provided every summer by the ISBA in an effort to provide mid-year training for new board members, veteran board members, superintendents, clerks, and other district team members.

The workshop will include classes on the following topics: •Trustee Roles & Responsibilities

•Board Ethics

•Effective Meetings

•Basic School Finance

•Resources, Regions,

Resolutions, & Legislation

•Basics of Board Policy

•Board Scenarios

10#labor relationsBecause we have

a mission:

governmental affairs

legislative advocacy&9

8ISBA provides a book of district salary schedules, information on

current negotiated agreements and bargaining proposals.

Additional information on labor relations advice, negotiations training,

strike preparation and conflict resolution are available upon request.

Specific services are available on a fee-for-service basis.

ISBA Legislative Services staff works with legislators, State Board of Education, and State Department

of Education representatives, as well as other stakeholders in developing school finance programs,

participating in efforts to revise labor/management laws, and opposing bills which restrict local control

of schools. To advocate for school districts, the ISBA staff and Governmental Affairs Committee are

involved in day-to-day activities at the legislature.

The mission of the Idaho School Boards

Association is to provide leadership and

services to local school boards for the benefit of

students and for the

advocacy of public

education.

20 SLATE • APRIL 2011

DOES YOUR EMPLOYER SHOW A CONSTRUCTIVE INTEREST IN YOUR SCHOOL BOARD WORK? ARE YOU ALLOWED TO KEEP A FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE TO BALANCE WORK WITH SCHOOL BOARD DUTIES? DOES YOUR EMPLOYER DESERVE SPECIAL RECOGNITION FOR ENCOURAGING YOU IN YOUR SERVICE TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS?

EMPLOYER COMMENDATION REQUEST

YOUR EMPLOYING COMPANY OR INSTITUTION:

Company Address

Company Name

City State Zip Code

Individual name and title to whom commendation should be sent

ABOUT YOU:

Your name

Your telephone number Date of request

Your school district

I am regularly employed on a salaried or hourly basis and request that ISBA send a special letter and certificate of commendation to the employer identified on this form.

Say to your employers‘thanks’Trustees:

Now you can say “thanks” to your employer who supports you and your work as a school board member. Upon the recommendation of any Idaho trustee who is regularly employed (salaried or hourly), ISBA Executive Director Karen Echeverria will send a letter of commendation to the board member’s employer, along with a certificate suitable for framing.

The purpose of ISBA’s Employer Commendation Program is to recognize those organizations that make a special point of encouraging and supporting employees who serve on school boards. The award also will:

» Remind the employer that there is a school board member on staff

» Acknowledge that the employer views school board service as an essential and demanding community activity

» Recognize that serving on a school board takes time and requires understanding of the employer

» Reinforce the employer’s commitment to support school board members

» Encourage other employees to see that commitment and adopt a similar posture

» Encourage all employers and employees to view school board service as a worthwhile endeavor

If you are employed by a business or institution that supports your school board work, and if you would like ISBA to send your employer a letter and certificate of commendation, please complete the form below and mail, fax, or email it to ISBA.

1

MAIL, FAX OR EMAIL THIS FORM: Misty Jones, Marketing & Events Manager

Mail: ISBA, PO Box 9797 Boise, ID 83707-4797 • Facsimile: (208) 854-1480 • E-mail: misty@idsba.org

3

2

APRIL 2011 • SLATE 21

TWO CALDWELL SCHOOL DISTRICT TRUSTEES HAVE RECEIVED THE GREAT HONOR OF BEING NAMED THE IDAHO BUSINESS REVIEW’S IDAHO WOMEN OF THE YEAR. TRUSTEE LEANN S IMMONS RECEIVED THE AWARD IN 2009 AND FELLOW TRUSTEE, JACKIE HOPPER, WAS A 2010 AWARD RECIP IENT.

REPRESENTING IDAHO WELLTWO CALDWELL SCHOOL DISTRICT TRUSTEES

LeAnn Simmons Improving the lives of young people through strong education

programs is a top priority for LeAnn Simmons. LeAnn was recognized in

2009 as one of the Idaho Business Review’s Women of the Year.

LeAnn is the Executive Director of Idaho Voices for Children, a

statewide advocacy organization whose mission is to raise awareness,

influence policy and unite our community to resolve problems facing

Idaho’s children in the areas of health, education, safety and family

economic security. Her passion for helping children continues in her

activities outside of Idaho Voices for Children, particularly in her work as

a trustee for the Caldwell School District and Board member for First Book

Treasure Valley a national non-profit organization with a single mission:

to give children from low-income families the opportunity to read and

own their first new books. “I spend most of my time collaborating on

issues that affect children,” Simmons said.

Roger Quarels, superintendent of the Caldwell School District, noted

that in addition to her invaluable contributions as a district trustee,

“LeAnn was instrumental in bringing grant money to the district

to support a truancy program that has increased the average daily

attendance in all schools to be some of the highest in our state.”

Among her mentors, one LeAnn singled out was Dale Peterson

former Executive Director of Buy Idaho. “He taught me many things

but mostly what community engagement is all about and how to

make an impact through direct influence as well as consensus

building.”

Simmons has carried that advice into everything she does today.

“There are really two things that guide my actions: relationships and

priorities,” she said. “It’s all about relationships. No matter what you

are trying to accomplish, you need to build the relationships first

and foremost. Then make sure you know what your priorities are and

plan each day based on those priorities.”

Each year the Idaho Business Review honors

individuals who serve as role models on how

to achieve success and simultaneously leave

a lasting legacy for a new generation. Every

year the Idaho Business Review receives over

100 nominations for the award. The nominees

are then reduced to 50 award recipients.

The selection committee rates the

nominees in four categories: professional

accomplishments, leadership skills,

community involvement, and long-term goals.

The 50 honorees come from all walks of

personal and professional life. Some have

years of education and multiple degrees;

others do not. They all are successful in their

professions, recognized as leaders, involved

in their communities and can see the big

picture and know how to follow through

(Idaho Business Review).

LEANN SIMMONS JACKIE HOPPER

continued...

22 SLATE • APRIL 2011

Jackie HopperFor all the horror stories that abound concerning the parenting of teenagers, Jackie Hopper’s love of teens goes way beyond sitcom sentimentality.

Both in her life as a mother and in her professional role as director of faith formation for the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Boise, Jackie spends

a lot of time encouraging others to dream their wildest dreams.

Jackie is responsible for the overall religious formation of the cathedral community, which includes bringing together the Spanish speaking and

English speaking communities within her parish and serves as community event coordinator. She also oversees religious education of children from

infancy to sixth grade – a job that includes training, evaluating and supervising a staff of 35 volunteers.

Education is a constant thread in the narrative of Hopper’s life. All five members of her family are in school, including Jackie, who is currently

pursuing a master of business administration through the University of Phoenix. Jackie was the founding member of the Caldwell YMCA and currently

serves as the Idaho School Boards Association Region 3 Chairman. She is also a member of the Consolidated Health Committee with the State

Department of Education.

“Jackie has been instrumental in driving dramatic change in public education, from what we teach, to how we teach, to the facilities we teach

in,” says Superintendent Roger Quarles.

Jackie’s heroes, not surprisingly, are strong and courageous women such as Rosa Parks and Florence Nightingale. But she also includes her

grandmothers Isabel and Elizabeth, who raised her parents through the Great Depression. “These women were all strong advocates of justice who

worked tirelessly for their community and their families.” Just like Jackie Hopper.

Article information courtesy of Idaho Business Review.

...continued from previous page

The ISBA invites school districts, educational agencies, and others to submit proposals for workshops to be presented at the ISBA Annual Convention. Convention attendees are seeking information and skills to help them govern and lead more effectively in the ever-changing world of public education.

All workshop proposals must be received by June 30, 2011. Visit www.idsba.org for workshop proposal applications and other timeline information.

I S B A A N N U A L C O N V E N T I O N + C O E U R D ’ A L E N E + N O V E M B E R 1 0 - 1 2 , 2 0 1 1

Help others benefit from your expertise & experience

WORKSHOP PROPOSALSCall for

A R E Y O U I N T E R E S T E D I N P R E S E N T I N G A W O R K S H O P AT T H E I S B A A N N U A L C O N V E N T I O N ?Can the trustees and school district leadership of Idaho benefit from your expertise or experience? If yes, we want to hear from you!

Y O U ’ R E I N V I T E D !

H O W TO A P P LY

APRIL 2011 • SLATE 23

Serving Idaho’s school districts for over 27 years. Over 114 school districts

and charter schools statewide are members of the ISBA Insurance Plan.

A l l A n R A n s t R o m | ( 2 0 8 ) 3 2 1 - 2 0 0 1 | A l l A n @ m o R e t o n . c o m

Protect what’s important with the...

ISBA INSURANCE PLANBUSINESS PARTNER

DIAMONDISBA

24 SLATE • APRIL 2011

BUDGET REPORT: ISBA made some revisions to its 2010-2011 Budget due to the fact that

ISBA is leasing a part of its building and will now have to pay some

property taxes and income taxes from the profit earned on the lease.

POSSIBLE BY-LAW CHANGE:The possibility of a By-law change was raised to address the issue of

the hiring of past ISBA officers. Board members were assigned to draft

a proposed change for Executive Board review.

RETENTION POLICIES AMENDMENTS:ISBA staff undertook over the summer the large task of cleaning out and

organizing office files. During this time national policies on document

retention as well as input from the auditors and accountants were

reviewed for guidance on the maintenance of documents. Suggested

changes were made and approved to ISBA policies on document

retention to reflect national trends and auditor and accountant input.

AFFILIATE DUES:A discussion was held on the amount of dues charged to ISBA affiliate

members. It was noted that affiliate members do not get to vote at the

Business Session of the ISBA Annual Convention and get limited access

Executive Board MeetingHighlightsFebruary 15-16, 2011

ISBA’s Executive Board conducts important business that is similar to the work done by local school boards. Executive Board members and ISBA staff tackle numerous agenda items and hear a variety of reports. Here are some of the highlights from the meeting held in February:

to ISBA legal services. The Board requested more information from ISBA

staff and will take up this issue at the next meeting.

APRIL MEETING DATE:The date for the April Executive Board meeting was discussed. The spring

meeting used to be held in May, but has been moved to April to better

accommodate Board business, members’ schedules, and high school

graduation dates. The April meeting will take place on the 29th – 30th.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT:The Executive Director reported on the status of the ISBA Insurance

Program, the pending review of trustee zones based upon the release of

the census data and the two new ISBA staff members.

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE (GAC) REPORT:The GAC meeting was focused on the testimony of President Dallas

Clinger to the House and Senate Education Committees regarding

Superintendent Luna’s Students Come First legislation during the ISBA

Day on the Hill event. The GAC directed Mr. Clinger to the areas of

support and non-support found in the ISBA survey of trustees.

24 SLATE • APRIL 2011

ANNUAL CONVENTION REPORT:ISBA staff member Misty Jones reported on the 2010 ISBA Annual

Convention. Based on feedback, ISBA will continue with the condensed

schedule at the 2011 Convention. Attendance and sponsorships

exceeded expectations and suggestions were made for improving the

Scholarship Auction and Awards Banquet.

PACIFIC REGION MEETING REPORT:ISBA President Dallas Clinger reported on the National School Boards

Association (NSBA) Pacific Region meeting that was held in December,

2010. He reported that Executive Director, Karen Echeverria, was elected

Secretary/Treasurer of the NSBA Pacific Region. Mr. Clinger also reported

that NSBA emphasized the importance of federal land endowment

funds to public education and the duty of trustees to monitor the

management of endowment lands.

LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE REPORT:ISBA President Dallas Clinger reported on the NSBA’s Leadership

Conference held in Washington D. C. in February, 2011 and attended by

he and Ms. Echeverria. Mr. Clinger would like to see if the Association

could budget for more officers to go to the Leadership Conference

because it was a very informative event. They would like to bring

a speaker from the Conference, Jamie Vollmer, to the ISBA Annual

Convention this year, but price will certainly be a factor so they are

hoping to partner with another group to share his fee.

REGION REPORTS:The ISBA Region Chairs provided reports on the happenings, events and

responses to legislation in their individual regions.

ISBA offers a multitude of training opportunities to help your school board and district leadership teams

in your roles as education leaders.

BOARD TRAININGDelivered to your District

• School Board Governance

• Leadership for Student Achievement

• Education Law

• Human Resources / Personnel

• School Finance & Board’s Oversight Role

• Teamwork-Team Building

• Negotiations / Interest Based Bargaining

• Strategic Planning and Goal Setting

• Parliamentary Procedure

• Customized Training to Suit Your Needs

Training is offered on the following

ISBA Office: (866) 799-4722

Contact one of ISBA’s Board Trainers for more details:

Liz Killpack: (208) 589-4037Email: Liz@idsba.org

Donagene Turnbow: (208) 659-7343Email: Donagene_Turnbow@idsba.org

Dr. Andrew Meyer: (208) 521-2232Email: Drew@idsba.org

26 SLATE • APRIL 2011

Does your board rely upon you to be the unofficial policy overseer?

The role of most board clerks is to (1) research and gather resources

regarding specific policy issues; (2) assist with drafting of proposed

policy language; (3) prepare proposed policies for board consideration;

( 4) prepare and distribute policy proposals prior to board meetings; (5)

attend board meetings and record in minutes the actions taken on the

policy; ( 6) process adopted policy and distribute to all affected by it.

What is policy? Board policy is the actions and decisions of a school

board that set general goals and specific objectives, and establish

parameters for the operation of a school district. Board policy tells: what

is wanted, why, how much, and who accepts the delegated oversight

responsibility. The school board must adopt policy before it can be put

into effect.

Take a quick assessment of your policy manual. The following

questions are designed to help you determine whether or not your policy

manual needs to be updated or revised. “No” answers indicate areas

where work may need to be done.

THE ROLE OF THE

BOARD CLERK

1Does every board member,

administrative team member, and

district school have an updated copy of the

policy manual?

2Are policies coded with a

comprehensive and logically organized

coding system?

3Does the manual include an index

and table of contents for quick

location of desired policies? Do titles

reflect contents?

4Does the manual contain only

board policies, with administrative

regulations or procedures kept in a

separate binder?

5Are policies easy to understand? Do

you use a standard style and format?

6Are your policies cross-referenced to

related policies in the manual?

7Are policies clearly written and

positive in tone?

8 Are policies written in gender-neutral

language?

9 Is your manual free of contradictory or

ambiguous statements?

10 Do policies reflect the board’s

beliefs and expectations, and the

board’s concern for students, teaching and

the learning process?

11Do each of your policies

adequately cover the important

concerns and points related to the topic?

12Does the manual contain policies

addressing board governance and

operations?

13Do policies conform to legal

requirements?

14Do policies exist for topics

required by law/regulation?

15Are legal references cited on

appropriate policies?

16Have most major policies been

adopted, revised or reaffirmed

within the past five years?

17 Are student and staff handbooks

consistent with board policy?

18 Does the board carefully review

a proposed policy prior to its

adoption or revision?

19Can you tell on what date a policy

was adopted or revised?

20Are new board members and

administrative staff instructed

on how to use the manual?

The ISBA Policy Update Service provides information about changes

in laws and regulations, court decisions, liability issues and educational

topics; legally reviewed policies reflecting current requirements and

needs; and sample policies when applicable.

If you have questions regarding the policy services provided by ISBA,

please contact Jessica Harrison at the ISBA Office.

Portions of this article courtesy of the Pennsylvania School Boards

Association.

BOARD POLICY:

APRIL 2011 • SLATE 27

As Idaho Legislators return to their communities

following sine die adjournment of the 2011

session, there is no doubt each of them would

list education as one of the major issues they

had to consider. The budget and education

dominated media coverage of the Legislature.

The good news is that ISBA was recognized

as the “Go To” stakeholder in education

negotiations and deliberations by legislative

leaders, state elected officials, and the media.

So it seems an opportune time to review some

media “helpful hints” for ISBA board members.

The ISBA Executive Board has always been

committed to thoroughly examining every

side of upcoming issues and getting input

from members. Before making decisions, the

Executive Board asks questions and researches

answers to get as clear a picture of the issue

as possible in order to be able to fully explain

the rationale for the decision. Once the Board

makes a decision it is crucial to move forward

with implementation with broad board member

backing. The Association’s official position will

be conveyed to the public and the media by the

Board-designated spokesmen.

Often the media will seek additional reaction

to the Board’s action. As an association, we

understand and recognize that all members

have their own opinions regarding an issue and

OPPORTUNITY OR TRAP?Media Relations: by Shoni Pegram

by Liz Killpack

ISBA Communications Coordinator

ISBA Board Trainer

it is certainly a member’s prerogative to share

those with the media, so long as it is made

clear that one is speaking individually, and not

for the Association.

Some things to contemplate when talking

with the media:

1. Reporters are generally looking for

controversy over substance of an issue.

Can they get a headline or flashy sound

bite? Craft your answers to give facts and

substance.

2. Is your criticism or condemnation of a Board

decision useful in the long run and will it

contribute to the good of the education

community?

3. Can your comments be misinterpreted as

representing the official position of the ISBA

or your local Board?

4. Do you have an established relationship

with the reporter that gives you a comfort

level that your comments will be reported

accurately and fairly?

5. Do you have enough information to respond

to the media inquiry? Don’t hesitate to do

some research before granting an interview.

Don’t hesitate to answer that you will get

back to the reporter on a question.

Some additional thoughts regarding the

media in your own community: Be proactive

about contacting your local newspaper, television

and radio stations on positive activities in your

district. This prior communication can prove

helpful when difficult issues are discussed

and rather than creating their own story, the

reporter, with whom you have a relationship,

may come to you for information and insight.

Offer to be the ‘education expert’ on issues

related to schools and education so you are the

“Go To” source for a comment, or at least to

discuss a story that will assist a reporter ask

the right questions.

The members of ISBA have created an

association that is the leading public education

stakeholder in the State of Idaho. As elected

officials in your own right, you have worked

hard to earn this recognition. Continuing to pay

some attention to honing your media relations

skill will insure you are maintaining ISBA’s

credibility and preeminent role in Idaho. Please

contact our office anytime as we are anxious to

assist your efforts.

The IASBO Business Official of the Year is a peer recognition program

for outstanding service, innovative plan design and implementation, or

other exemplary business practices within school business management.

Nominations will be accepted from IASBO Active or Honorary Members,

immediate supervisors and local boards of education.

Recipient will receive:

• Paid registration to the IASBO Conference and related

travel expenses for member and guest.

• Recognition in news and trade media

• An engraved plaque

For more details and to nominate your school business official, visit the Award page on the IASBO website at http://www.idahoasbo.org/pdfs/iboy.pdf

Idaho Association of School Business Officials

Business Official of the Year Award

Deadline is May 23!

According to State statutes, a proposal to redefine and change Trustee

Zones shall be initiated by the Board of Trustees at the first meeting

following the report of the decennial census. The Census Bureau, on

March 10, 2011, provided key demographic data to states allowing state

governments to redraw various district boundaries. Each School District is

required to present to the State Board of Education within 120 days (July 8,

2011), following the release of the decennial census data, a proposal for a

change, equalizing the population in each Trustee Zone, or proof that the

current zones are equal.

The Quadrant Team is pleased to provide a two-phased approach to

assist School Districts in complying with updating Trustee Zone boundary

requirements.

PHASE 1Once authorized by an individual School District, the Quadrant Team

prepares a "2010 Census, School District Trustee Zone Status" map. This

map covers the individual Trustee Zones and the entire District. The map

shows roads, water bodies, in addition to the individual census blocks

with block population. The map also includes a population tabulation table

containing Census population data for each current Trustee Zone. This map

is provided in both an electronic (pdf) and a printed paper copy.

If the population within each Trustee Zone differs less than 10-percent

from all other Trustee Zones in the District, the District is in compliance

with the requirements and no more work should be necessary. The School

District simply submits this Phase 1 packet to the State Department of

Education for review and eventual approval by the State Board of Education.

If any Trustee Zone populations differ by more than 10-percent, then a

second step, Phase 2, becomes necessary.

PHASE 2Under Phase 2, the District uses the Phase 1 Zone Status map to define

the boundaries of the new Trustee Zones. A recommended first step for

the District is to identify the location of each Trustee’s voting residence on

the map. Then, the District Trustees or their staff will mark up the Phase

1 Zone Status Map, indicating where Trustee Zone boundaries should be

moved to “equalize” the zones within the less than 10-percent variation

requirement. A hard copy of the map with the new Trustee Zone lines, as

revised by the School District, is shipped back to the Quadrant Team to

develop the final work products.

The Quadrant Team uses the District’s marked up map to draw

Quadrant Consulting and Millennium Science & Engineering are joining together as the

Quadrant Team with the Idaho School Boards Association. Our common goal is to assist

individual School Districts throughout the State with implementing possible changes to

Trustee Zone boundaries and legal descriptions.

Information needed from your School District to evaluate

Trustee Zone population compliance:

1. A current State Board of Education-approved School

District boundary legal description and map that includes

previously Board-approved annexations and excisions.

2. Legal descriptions and a map for each existing or adjusted

School District Trustee Zone that has been previously

approved by the State Board of Education.

SCHOOL DISTRICT TRUSTEE ZONES

28 SLATE • APRIL 2011

by Pete Lounsbury and Steve Sweet

Pete Lounsbury

General guidance based on prior

experience has shown that adjusted

Trustee Zone should follow census

block boundaries or the exterior

boundary of the School District,

whichever is applicable.

• Trustee Zone boundaries should

follow common identifiable lines,

i.e., section lines, subdivision

boundaries, road centerlines,

waterways, railroad lines, etc.

• Splitting of census blocks should

not be attempted, unless the

School District can provide an

alternate population count,

using a statistically meaningful

procedure that is acceptable to the

Idaho State Board of Education.

• Gerrymandering of Trustee Zone

boundaries should be avoided.

Trustee Zones should logically

make sense.

APRIL 2011 • SLATE 29

Steve Sweet

the District-revised Trustee Zone lines over the 2010 census data. A

proof drawing (pdf) is then emailed back to the District for review and

confirmation prior to finalizing. The proof drawing shows Trustee Zone lines

and confirms that the Trustee Zone populations comply with the less than

10-percent variation requirement. Upon acceptance of the proof drawing

by the Board of Trustees, legal descriptions are prepared for each Trustee

Zone, along with a final map for the District’s use. When this information

is returned to the District, the new District map and legal descriptions are

submitted to the Department of Education for eventual approval by the

Board of Education.

With the ease of use afforded by the Internet today, updating Trustee

Zones has become much simpler than in previous decades. Districts will

find that with the tools and process developed by the Quadrant Team this

task has become streamlined and affordable.

Quadrant Consulting, Inc. (QCI) is an employee-owned civil engineering and

land-surveying firm with a staff of nine professionals serving the Northwest

from Boise, Idaho. Credentials within the firm include five professional

engineers, a licensed land surveyor, a construction manager, and two

engineering and surveying technicians. QCI’s expertise includes general

civil design, hydrologic/hydraulic engineering, transportation engineering,

construction management, legal descriptions, boundary surveying,

topographic surveying and GPS surveying. The firm maintains a record

of outstanding performance in both civil engineering and surveying. As a

company, QCI has established a reputation for skillful, innovative, and cost-

effective service. As individuals, the employees strive to extend a personal

touch to each client’s project.

Millennium Science and Engineering, Inc. (MSE) is a premier, employee-

owned, multi-disciplinary environmental consulting firm dedicated to

providing superior professional services to governmental and industrial

clients nationally and internationally. MSE prides itself on being a responsive

mid-size firm that provides exceptional client service and customer

satisfaction. MSE’s services incorporate all the major environmental science

and engineering disciplines including geographic information systems, site

assessment and remediation design; water and wastewater engineering

design, air permitting and engineering design; greenhouse gas consulting;

watershed science, hydrology and natural resources, environmental

management (including strategic consulting); environmental compliance;

legal/litigation support; and international development.

30 SLATE • APRIL 2011

IDAHO DAIRY COUNCILA non-profit nutrition education organization providing science based materials to health care providers, schools and consumers throughout the state of Idaho.

Crystal Wilson (208) 327-7050cjwilson@idahodairycouncil.orgwww.idahodairycouncil.org

MORETON & COMPANYMoreton & Company provides property and liability insurance as well as risk management services to member districts through the ISBA endorsed insurance plan. Most recently, Moreton & Company launched a group auto and homeowner insurance program that is available to district employees as well as school board trustees.

Allan Ranstrom (208) 321-9300allan@moreton.comwww.moreton.com

ZIONS BANKA leader in financing school district projects at lowest overall cost. Since 1994 Zions has assisted Idaho districts in financing over 60 projects totaling over $200 million.

Cameron Arial (208) 344-9522cameron.arial@zionsbank.comwww.zionsbank.com

HUMMEL ARCHITECTS PLLCEstablished in Boise in 1896, Hummel Architects PLLC is a general practice architectural firm whose history touches nearly every Idaho community. Over the decades Hummel has built a solid reputation on the design of educational, institutional, civic, industrial, governmental, retail, office, and corporate structures.

Jenifer Huff (208) 343-7523jhuff@hummelarch.comwww.hummelarch.com

LARSONALLENSame high-quality professionals. Same commitment to Idaho schools and those who make them successful. Brand new name. LeMaster Daniels is now LarsonAllen CPAs, Consultants, and Advisors.

Jimmy Lin (208) 658-8200jlin@larsonallen.comwww.larsonallen.com

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANYThe Bank of New York Mellon is the world’s leading provider of corporate trust and agency services. We have a long tradition of collaborating with clients across the full range of debt instruments to provide customized solutions to meet client-specific needs. A recognized leader in the municipal debt markets, we are committed to providing municipal finance solutions to the public finance sector throughout idaho.

Michael A. Jones (206) 336-1616michael.a.jones@bnymellon.comwww.bnymellon.com

BUSINESS PARTNER

DIAMONDISBA

BUSINESS PARTNER

PLATINUMISBA

BUSINESS PARTNER

GOLDISBA

BUSINESS PARTNER

BRONZEISBA

BUSINESS PARTNER

SILVERISBA

DIAMOND Business Partners

ISBA’s Business Partners & Affiliates offer a variety of services and products that can assist Idaho’s public schools in cutting costs and finding cost-effective options.

BUSINESS PARTNER LOGOSLook for these logos in

SLATE articles &

advertisements:

Our Valued ISBA

Business PartnersFor more information regarding these Business Partners, or to become an ISBA Business Partner, please contact Misty Jones at the ISBA Office.

Phone: (208) 854-1476 Toll-Free: (866) 799-4722 Fax: (208) 854-1480Web: www.idsba.orgEmail: misty@idsba.org

SILVER Business Partners

BRONZE Business Partners

SEATTLE-NORTHWEST SECURITIES CORPORATIONSNW is an investment bank and broker-dealer specializing in tax-exempt bond underwriting and sales. SNW provides financing solutions custom tailored to their clients’ capital financial needs. With a Boise-based office, no other firm can match their experience and knowledge related to the political, economic, and financial issues impacting Idaho school district bond financing.

Eric Heringer (208) 344-8577eheringer@snwsc.comwww.seattlenorthwest.com

TIMECLOCK PLUSTimeClock Plus accurately tracks employee time and attendance which greatly assists in maintaining compliance and offers your district huge savings of your time and money.

Carol Barton (800) 749-8463sales@timeclockplus.comtimeclockplus.com

INTERMOUNTAIN TECHNOLOGY GROUPPutting client needs first, ITG has been providing technical support to businesses for over 25 years. We offer a broad range of hardware, software and client focused computer technology services.

Kizmet Beasley, Abigail Staley (208) 319-2756kizmet.beasley@gocorptech.comabigail.staley@gocorptech.comwww.gocorptech.com

QUADRANT CONSULTINGQuadrant Consulting has teamed with the Idaho School Boards Association to assist individual school districts throughout the state with possible changes to trustee zone boundaries and legal descriptions due to the release of new census data.

Steve Sweet (208) 342-0091steve@quadrant.ccwww.quadrant.cc

MORETON & COMPANY

BOARDBOOK

NWCRG

SOLVERAS PAYMENT SOLUTIONS

APPLITRACK (BY GENERAL ASP)

Our Valued ISBA

Business Affiliates

Please contact Misty Jones at the ISBA Office for more information.

Phone: (208) 854-1476 Toll-Free: (866) 799-4722 Fax: (208) 854-1480Web: www.idsba.orgEmail: misty@idsba.org

Contact these Business Affiliates to find out how they can assist your school district!

ISBA INSURANCE PROGRAM

Moreton & Company provides property and liability insurance to member school districts through the ISBA Insurance Program. Since the Program’s inception, school districts have received over $4.6 million in dividends from the Program. Moreton & Company also offers a Home & Auto Insurance Program. School employees and school board members can participate through their local school district. This Program offers a great opportunity to participate in group insurance coverage.

Allan Ranstromallan@moreton.com(800) 341-6789

TELECOM & UTILITY COST RECOVERY PROGRAM

If you were being overbilled, wouldn’t you want to know? ISBA has joined forces with Northwest Capital Recovery Group, a Pacific Northwest consortium since 1994, to offer our members a valued program that analyzes utility and telecom bills for overbilling of services. NWCRG specializes in recovering overcharges for clients in the areas of telecommunications, electricity, natural gas, garbage and water/sewer/storm.

Steve Rhea steverhea@comcast.net (866) 545-0976

APPLICANT TRACKING & RECRUITING SOFTWARE

Finding the perfect teacher for your school isn’t always easy. AppliTrack is an affordable online solution that revitalizes the teacher selection process. AppliTrack takes the work out of collecting applications, checking references, and everything in between, so you can focus on hiring the best people.

Use a next generation tool to find teachers who will inspire the next generation of leaders. Choose your future with AppliTrack.

Dr. Fred Schroederfred@generalasp.com(866) 667-1277

CHECK RECOVERY SERVICE

School districts are facing difficult times and are experiencing an increase in the number and frequency of NSF checks. Collection of these items can be time consuming, difficult and embarrassing to both parents and staff.

Solveras returns lost funds to the district by electronically recovering bad checks and direct depositing those recovered funds to your district’s bank account on a weekly basis. Best of all, the service is FREE to the school district, FRIENDLY to the check writer, and recovers your funds FAST.

If you are interested in saving your district staff time and easily recouping funds from insufficient fund checks, contact Solveras Payment Solutions!

Rodger Regelerodger.wa@comcast.net(888) 726-0015

SOFTWARE FOR ORGANIZING MEETING MATERIAL

BoardBook is a web-based software application that streamlines the preparation, distribution and publishing of agenda packets. BoardBook builds a searchable archive of meeting packets and approved minutes. It opens the door to electronically distributing the agenda to the board, posting selected materials online, and conducting paperless meetings.

BoardBook can assist your district to:

» Save on costs for printing and copying.

» Reduce staff time required for preparation and distribution of agenda and supporting documents.

» Improve timeliness and availability of board meeting materials to school board members.

Mike Eldermike.elder@boardbook.org(888) 587-2665 Ext. 6413

APRIL 2011 • SLATE 31

IDAHO SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATIONP.O. BOX 9797 • BOISE, ID 83707-4797PH: (208) 854-1476 • FAX: (208) 854-1480

Non-Profit OrgU.S. Postage

PAIDBoise, ID

Permit No. 136

BUSINESS PARTNER

DIAMONDISBA