fall 2009 alabama school boards magazine

9DOLOFOIt'th

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LEAD, INSPIRE, CHANGE!Book your hotel rooms now,and we’ll save you a seat!

Eligible attendees earn School

Board Member Academy credit

for AASB’s annual convention and

business meeting that brings together

nearly 600 school board members and education

leaders from across the state. The three-day event

features information-packed general sessions, an array

of clinics on timely topics and exhibits of school products

and services.

Also, delegates from member school boards assemble

for the business meeting to elect AASB’s leaders,

vote on resolutions and approve bylaws changes.

Alabama Association of School Boards

Annual ConventionDec. 3-5, 2009

The Wynfrey Hotel, Birmingham

AASB Leadership II Orientation Course for New Board MembersDec. 3, 2009 • The Wynfrey Hotel, Birmingham

Orientation for New Board Members and Refresher Course for Veterans

Relatively new to school board service? Leadership II can help you get your legs under you.

A component of AASB’s two-part orientation series for new school board members, Leadership II

will provide you training on effective school boards, quality board/superintendent governance

teams and board members as advocates. You can still take Leadership II if you have not yet taken

Leadership I. Leadership II is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Dec. 3. Attendees earn six credit hours

in the AASB School Board Member Academy.

ROOMS GO FAST. Reserve a room now in AASB’s block at The Wynfrey Hotel in Birmingham,

800/996-3739. Be sure to mention the AASB group code 1AT30S.

FEATURES

8 A TEACHER’SPERSPECTIVEShannon Finley, Alabama’s

Elementary Teacher of the Year,

offers an engaging solution to

underachievement.

10 FACE TO FACEBrenda Brown, a member of

Jackson County school board,

conducted an interview with

Sen. Lowell Barron, chairman

of the Alabama Senate Rules

Committee.

12 ALABAMA SCHOOL

BOARDS READERSSURVEYA special thank-you to 107 respondents

to AASB’s magazine readership survey.

See the results.

13 LEADERSHIP TO CREATE THE OPTIMAL LEARNINGENVIRONMENTRegister for this academy core course

set for Oct. 25 at the Renaissance Hotel

& Convention Center, Montgomery.

14 BOARDMANSHIP BASICS: 10 MISTAKESBOARD MEMBERSSHOULDN'T MAKE Will you pledge to serve ethically

and responsibly?

16 COVER STORY:A LOOK BACK, A LEAP FORWARDThe 2008-09 year serves as testimony

to what an association that stands

together can achieve, even in financially

challenging and uncertain times.

20 2008-2009 ALABAMA ASSOCIATION OFSCHOOL BOARDSANNUAL REPORTDiscover your association’s accomp-

lishments in governance, advocacy,

training, services, technology

and grants.

IN EVERY ISSUE4 UP FRONT6 EDUCATION & THE LAW26 CALENDAR 30 AT THE TABLE30 HELPON THE COVER: photo©istockPhoto.com

OFFICERSPRESIDENTSue Helms

Madison City

PRESIDENT-ELECTFlorence Bellamy

Phenix City

VICE PRESIDENTSteve Foster

Lowndes County

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENTJim Methvin

Alabama School of Fine Arts

STAFFEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Sally Brewer Howell, J.D.

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICERKen Roberts, C.P.A.

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONSDenise L. Berkhalter

DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONSLissa Astilla Tucker

DIRECTOR OF BOARD DEVELOPMENTLuAnn Bird

INTERIM MEETING COORDINATORLinda Allen

MEMBERSHIP COORDINATORDebora Hendricks

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANTTammy Wright

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTDonna Norris

BOOKKEEPERKay Shaw

STAFF ASSISTANTLashana Summerlin

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

DISTRICT 1

Stephanie Walker

Brewton

DISTRICT 2

Bill Minor

Dallas County

DISTRICT 3

Roxie Kitchens

Troy

DISTRICT 4

Katy S. Campbell

Macon County

DISTRICT 5

Jennifer Parsons

Jefferson County

DISTRICT 6

Vacant

DISTRICT 7

T. Brett Whitehead

Tuscaloosa County

DISTRICT 8

Pam Doyle

Muscle Shoals

DISTRICT 9

Jennie Robinson

Huntsville

STATE BOARD

Dr. Mary Jane Caylor

Huntsville

Alabama S chool Boards • Fal l 2009 3

PUBLICATION POLICYAlabama School Boards is published by theAlabama Association of School Boards as aservice to its members. The articles publishedin each issue represent the ideas or beliefs ofthe writers and are not necessarily the viewsof the Alabama Association of School Boards.Subscriptions sent to members of schoolboards are included in membership dues.Complimentary copies are available uponrequest to public school principals through-out the state. Additional annual subscriptionscan be obtained for $30 by contacting AASB.

Entered as third-class mail at Montgomery, AL. Permit No. 34.

Alabama School Boards is designed by J. Durham Design, L.L.C., Montgomery, AL.

Address all editorial and advertising inquiries to: Alabama School Boards, Editor, P.O. Drawer 230488, Montgomery, AL36123-0488. Phone: 334/277-9700 ore-mail [email protected].

InsideInside

9DON'T LOSE FOCUS:It's All About the Kids

9

FALL 2009

Vol. 30, No. 3

www.AlabamaSchoolBoards.org

18AASB’s STRATEGIC PLAN OUR MISSION: To develop excellent school board leaders

through quality training, advocacy and services.

18

m

OUR MISSION:To develop excellent school board leadersthrough quality training,advocacy and services.

4 Alabama S chool Boards • Fal l 2009

&Trends,Research Dates

UPFRONT

Let Us Facilitate Your Board RetreatHow will your leadership team set priorities during times

of proration? AASB offers consulting services to help your

full board learn what has the greatest impact on student

achievement. Let us facilitate a board work session or board

retreat at a location of your choosing. If you’re interested in training

designed to meet your board’s specific needs, contact LuAnn Bird at 800/562-0601

or [email protected].

Compiled by Dionne Mance & Denise Berkhalter

86.48 percent, or 1,190 of Alabama’s 1,376 schools,

made adequate yearly progress in 2009 under No Child

Left Behind. In 2008, 83 percent of schools made AYP.

1,190BY THE NUMBERSCongratulations are in order for re-elected District Directors

Bill Minor of District 2 and Pam Doyle of District 8, as

well as new District 9 Director Jennie Robinson of

Huntsville. Robinson, the only candidate for her district, was

automatically selected in accordance with AASB bylaws to fill a vacancy left

when the director wasn’t reappointed to her board. Ballots listing eligible

nominees for Districts 4 and 6 will be mailed to district members by Oct. 1. Each

board within a district gets one vote. The board president will certify that action

was taken at an October board meeting to choose a candidate, and the ballot must

be postmarked by Oct. 31 and returned to AASB. Gail Holley of Lanett, Charlotte

Meadows of Montgomery County and Matilda Woodyard-Hamilton of

Tallapoosa County have thrown their hats in the ring for District 4 director.

The Rev. Preston Nix of Attalla, Skip Smithwick of Sylacauga and Larry B.

Stewart of Calhoun County are vying for the District 6 directorship.

District Director Ballots Due Oct. 31

New Resource on Undocumented ChildrenThe National School Boards Association, with a

generous grant from the National Education

Association, released a publication designed to

help school systems answer 13 questions about

the legal rights of undocumented students in

public K-12 schools. Legal Issues for School

Districts Related to the Education of Undocumented Children offers practical

information for schools as they deal with this complicated issue. The guide will

go to every school system in the United States and is available online at

www.NSBA.org in the “COSA” section.

Recent State Board ActionsIn September, the state Board of Education took a number of

actions that school boards may have an interest in knowing.

n Graduation Exam Out, End-of-Course Tests In —Expect a number of changes to the state’s student assessment

protocol as a result of the state board’s endorsement of a five-

year overhaul. The plan reclaims a number of instructional

days, and as the changes unfold, you’ll see the graduation

exam replaced by end-of-course tests; Dynamic Indicators of

Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) embedded in the Alabama

Reading Initiative; and state-funded ACT assessments for

grades 8-12. In addition, the National Assessment of Educa-

tional Progress (NAEP), and Alabama Alternate Assessment

will become the standard, and students in grades 3-8 will take

ARMT+ — a combination of Alabama’s reading, math,

science and direct writing assessments, which removes the

Stanford-10 reading and math tests from the mix. End-of-year

exams are slated to start with the 2011-12 ninth-grade class.

n Post Paid Invoices Online — Beginning in October,

boards will begin a process approved by the state board

to enhance transparency. The state board adopted an

amendment that requires local boards to post paid invoices

on their school systems’ Web sites. The board was told all

school systems have the technical capability to post their

accounts payable online.

n 20 Days After Labor Day — State Superintendent of

Education Dr. Joe Morton has floated a draft of a legislative

change that he plans to pursue when the session starts in

January. If passed, the state superintendent would have

the authority to reconfigure the 20-day period, which now

falls after Labor Day, to determine average daily membership

for state funding purposes. If the state Legislature approves,

the change would apply to 2009-10 and help school systems

hit with high absenteeism due to swine flu.


The $283 Million GorillaWith 100,000 active members in 2011,

nearly $283 million in net new money

will be needed to cover Public Education

Employees’ Health Insurance costs.

The number from PEEHIP was shared

at the state Board of Education K-12

work session in September.

SAY WHAT?The National School Boards Association made remarks to the U.S.

Department of Education about the $4.3 billion in competitive grants

for education reforms. NSBA is concerned about the overall impact,

both fiscally and operationally, of the many new requirements on

states and school systems. Learn more about Race to the Top at

http://www.ed.gov/programs/racetothetop/.

“The National School Boards

Association believes that the Race

to the Top Fund will provide grant

recipient states with a significant

opportunity to build a results-driven

infrastructure and implement initiatives that will

raise student achievement. ...We are also concerned

that the RTTT is overly prescriptive and focused on

certain specific strategies, including those relating

to school governance such as an overemphasis on

charter schools and school takeovers.”

— Michael A. Resnick,

NSBA’s Associate Executive Director

Voluntary, Free Flu Shots at SchoolsThis fall, the state Departments of Education and Public Health will offer free, voluntary

H1N1 flu vaccinations for students, faculty and staff at public schools. The H1N1 vaccine for

school clinics should be available in November. The highest prevalence of H1N1 flu has been

among 5- to 24-year-olds.

“This program is strictly voluntary,” said

state Superintendent of Education Dr. Joe Mor-

ton. “We will require students to have written

permission from a parent or guardian.”

Dr. Charles Woernle of the state public

health department said the in-school vaccina-

tion plan is an effort to reduce the spread of

influenza while minimizing the disruption of

normal classroom activities.

“We intend to complete this process in the minimum amount of time possible once the

vaccine arrives,” Woernle said. Logistical details will be announced soon, so visit

http://adph.org/H1N1Flu/ and www.alsde.edu for frequent updates.

No Doctor’s Excuse RequiredState Health Officer Dr. Don William-

son presented H1N1 virus information at

the state board work session and sug-

gested a suspension of the “doctor’s

excuse” requirement for students and

teachers returning to school after a bout

with the flu. Williamson expects the

medical community to have their hands

full caring for patients this flu season.

State Superintendent Dr. Joe Morton has

asked superintendents to comply with

Williamson’s request.

Communicate with Parents

As you develop or dust off plans to

address health crises in the midst of

this heightened flu season, don’t forget

your communication plan. For commu-

nication tools and information related to the H1N1 virus,

visit http://www.flu.gov/professional/school/ toolkit.html.

State Health Officer Don Williamson reports that Alabama should receive 500,000

doses of the H1N1 flu vaccine by Nov. 1. H1N1 has caused several deaths, and

there have been more than 2,100 confirmed swine flu cases in Alabama. The largest

number of cases has been in Montgomery, Houston, Jefferson, Madison and

Mobile counties. In October, the first batch of 51,000 H1N1 (swine flu) vaccines

for Alabama are expected to arrive. School absenteeism rates have been twice

the normal 3.5 percent, though not all absences can be blamed on the flu.

The state departments of health and education are following the federal lead

and not recommending school closures except as a decision made locally,

case-by-case.

500,000 DID YOU KNOW? 6 OUT OF 10The recently released 2009

Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll

about the Public’s Attitudes

Toward the Public Schools notes six out of 10 Americans

would be willing to pay more taxes to fund free preschool

programs for children whose parents are unable to pay. Five

out of 10 Americans believe preschool programs should be

housed in public schools. The 41st annual PDK poll also found

that more than 50 percent of Americans grade their local

K-12 schools with either an A or B, with a record 75 percent

giving the school attended by their oldest child an A or B. n

DO SOMETHING In its H1N1 guidance to schools,

the Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention advised:

n Stay home when sick. Return onlyafter being fever-free without the aidof medication for at least 24 hours.

n Separate ill students and staff whohave flu-like illness from others untilthey can be sent home.

n Practice hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette.

n Routinely clean areas that studentsand staff touch often.

n Seek early treatment of high-risk ormedically fragile students and staffwho display flu-like symptoms.

LISTEN UP! Audio podcasts

of state Board of Education meetings

and a variety of videos featuring state

education officials can be found online

at www.media.alabama.gov.

Choose the education department

link from the “select an agency” list.

PEEHIPPEEHIP

ith the proliferation of easy and affordable access toelectronic media, many local boards of educationare utilizing technological advances to improve the

efficiency of board meetings. Technology facilitates discus-sion and the timely exchange of ideas. And “paperless” boardmeetings appeal to guardians of the environment as well asthe budget. These modern tools and gadgets often pay forthemselves in long-term administrative savings, but at whatcost to open government?

Alabama’s Open Meetings ActAlabama’s Open Meetings Act, or “OMA,” requires that all

board meetings be open to the public and that all deliberationand voting occur during the public portion of the meetings,i.e., no deliberation or voting may occur in executive sessions.See Alabama Code § 36-25A-7 (2005). But, can you have a“meeting” via e-mail or through Web log (blog) communica-tion? To answer that question, let’s first define “meeting.”

What Constitutes a Meeting?The OMA defines “meeting” as follows:

1. The prearranged gathering of a quorum of a governmen-tal body or a quorum of a committee or subcommittee ofa governmental body at a time and place which is set bylaw or operation of law.

2. The prearranged gathering of a quorumof a governmental body or a quorumof a committee or subcommittee of agovernmental body during which thebody, committee or subcommittee of the governmental body is authorized, either bylaw or otherwise, to exercise the powers whichit possesses or approve the expenditure of public funds.

3. The gathering, whether or not it was prearranged, of aquorum of a governmental body or a quorum of a com-mittee or subcommittee of a governmental body duringwhich the members of the governmental body deliberatespecific matters that, at the time of the exchange, the participating members expect to come before the body,committee, or subcommittee at a later date.

Under the OMA, however, a “meeting” does not include:Occasions when a quorum of a governmental body, com-mittee or subcommittee attends social gatherings, conven-tions, conferences, training programs, press conferences,media events or otherwise gathers so long as the govern-mental body does not deliberate specific matters that, atthe time of the exchange, the participating membersexpect to come before the governmental body at a laterdate. See Alabama Code § 36-25A-2(6) (a) 1-3, (b) 1 (2005)(emphasis added). The salient point is that a “meeting” is any gathering of a

quorum of the members to deliberate or take action on mat-ters expected to come before the board.

Can Boards Achieve a Quorum in Cyberspace?Some school districts in other states permit official

meetings by video or teleconference. At least one govern-ment body in Alabama has express statutory authority to conduct its meetings through the use of telephone confer-

ences. See, e.g., Alabama Code 33-1-8(d) (2002)(Members of the Alabama Port Authority Board mayparticipate in meetings by telephone confe ence;


EDUCATION & THE LAW

Does the Sun Shine in the Blogosphere?By Samantha Smith

W

photo©istockPhoto.com

such participation constitutes presence at a meeting for allpurposes).

For the rest, Alabama’s Attorney General has opined thatthe OMA requires members’ physical presence to attain aquorum, and without a quorum, no official action mayoccur. See Opinion to Honorable Nancy Worley, datedMarch 21, 2006, AGO 2006-071. The Legislature apparentlyagrees as it made no effort to statutorily eliminate that long-standing presumption when it revised Alabama’s “Sunshine”law in 2005. Thus, it seems that in Alabama a quorum forpurposes of the OMA cannot be achieved in cyberspace.

The OMA expressly does exempt from the definition of“meeting” one situation where teleconferencing may benecessary:

Occasions when a quorum of a governmental body gath-ers, in person or by electronic communication, with stateor federal officials for the purpose of reporting or obtain-ing information or seeking support for issues of impor-tance to the governmental body. See Alabama Code § 36-25A-2(6) (b) 2 (2005). This is most likely because those individuals (e.g.,

your congressional representatives) would be participatingfrom Montgomery or Washington, D.C.

To Blog or Not to BlogThe question then becomes, if members must physically

be present to create a quorum and a quorum cannot beattained in cyberspace, does a “virtual” discussion amongmembers constitute a meeting under the OMA that must beopen to the public? Technically, no.

Nevertheless, the act gives this warning: “Electronic com-munications shall not be utilized to circumvent any of theprovisions of this chapter.” See Alabama Code § 36-25A-1(2005). Therefore, using a blog or e-mails to discuss issuesand make decisions in private clearly would violate theOMA and would result in an invalid board action, whichultimately undermines the body’s efforts to maintain effi-

ciency in government (not to mention the damage to thepublic trust). Also, the electronic exchanges may be publicrecords, which must be maintained and made available tothe public.

However, what if the blog is designed for public accessand participation? Imagine a scenario where members of theboard post articles or entries for discussion with each otherfrom the convenience of their home computer while mem-bers of the public post comments related to those discussionentries, which results in a rolling dialogue of sorts that car-ries over into the next official meeting of the board. Such apublic blog would seem to serve the spirit behind the OpenMeetings Act. One practical downside would be the invita-tion for involvement to the broader public (i.e., the entireWorld Wide Web) to whom the members need not necessar-ily answer, but for whom the board opened the door androlled out the welcome mat. The board must weigh the prosand cons of these and other questions when decidingwhether to implement the use of such electronic tools.

In today’s economy, with the reality of streamlinedbudgets, a strong argument in favor of widespread use of“virtual” meetings can be made — whether conductedwith video or teleconferencing or through the use of theInternet. The law in Alabama at this stage in the gamerequires physical presence to obtain a quorum and thusconduct official business, so electronic tools will notreplace face-to-face meetings anytime soon. But, becausethe OMA allows such communications so long as they

do not circumvent the purposes of theact, the future of blogs to supplementboard communication with the publiclooks bright. n

Samantha Smith is an attorney with Bishop, Colvin,

Johnson & Kent LLC in Birmingham. She can be

reached at [email protected].


Paperless Board MeetingsWant to use technology to improve efficiency?

Go paperless. Using electronic tools available through

AASB, boards can trade in heavy, costly mounds of paper

for online agendas and downloadable information

packets. View the board's schedule, meeting notices

and policies. Ensure the board agenda is aligned with

student achievement and strategic goals. Operate

meetings in a way that models transparency, account-

ability and 21st century leadership. To find out more,

contact AASB at [email protected]

or 800/562-0601.

"Using a blog or e-mails to discuss issues

and make decisions in private clearly would

violate the Open Meetings Act and would

result in an invalid board action."

BUY THE BOOKOrder your copy of the AASB Boardmanship Series

booklet Public Meetings and Public Records,

$5 per copy, at 800/562-0601 or e-mail

[email protected].


A TEACHER’S PERSPECTIVEBy Shannon Finley , Alabama’s Elementary Teacher of the Year

he phrase “involve me and I will learn” is one that I remindmyself of often as I am challenged to meet the needs of mystudents. Students come to our classrooms on different ability

levels. We take them from where they are and seek to allow eachone to reach his or her potential. That is a teacher’s greatest gift.

However, some students are coming to us who lack a motiva-tion to learn and have no desire to achieve. Underachievementin school can be the most frustrating challenge for educators andparents and affects students of all ages and intellects. This appliesto our struggling students, as well as our gifted students.

Who is to blame when children do not succeed in school? Thecauses of underachievement are broad: boredom, frustration,poor social and/or study skills, low expectations, curriculum andlow self-esteem. These are the obstacles that put students at risk.To reach all students, we must realize that “at-risk” is a term notlimited to the economically and developmentally challenged. Weare losing the best and the brightest students and seeing thedropout rate in high schools increase.

Research on programs for at-risk students, particularly Title I-funded programs, points to the following approaches to overcoming underachievement:1 . Teach advanced problem-solving skills with high expectations.2. Vary assessment strategies (experiments, oral interviews,

portfolios, exhibits, etc.).3. Provide meaningful learning experiences to show learning

has purpose and value.4. Acknowledge that students have multiple intelligences and

ways of thinking.

5.Use differentiated instruction planning, which takes into account that not all students are alike.

6.Get parents actively involved.

I want to fully elaborate on the last resolution because it is akey factor and influence for student success. As educators, we allneed to set high expectations for parental involvement and raisethe standards, just like we strive to do for our students. Whenparents are involved, students have higher grades and graduationrates, better school attendance, increased motivation and fewerinstances of violent behavior.

Educators must make emotional connections with our parentsthat encourage involvement. Begin the year with a parent meet-ing where expectations and concerns are discussed by bothteacher and parent. We must provide parents with the skills andresources to understand how they can help their children.

I tell my parents that their children need to be at schoolevery day, so they will not fall behind. Every day counts. I tellthem they need to read with their children every night to pro-mote literacy. I tell them how much their attitude about schoolwill influence their child. I tell them we are partners. I tell par-ents the how’s and why’s involved in helping their children suc-ceed. Do not take these simple reminders for granted andassume they understand. Do this the very first time you meetwith them. Parents can be an educator’s biggest ally. We canuse our time to place blame and allow negativity to impair relationships, or we can inspire a lifelong parent commitment.

Educators have an extremely important task ahead. Teachershave to plan lessons that will engage students. Teaching has togo beyond the textbook for mean-ingful learning to take place.Educators, superintendents, and board members must be a team.Teachers need support and professional development opportuni-ties in order to stay current on best practices.

Together we can raise academic achievement. It takes dedi-cation, energy, and time to change attitudes and perceptions, butwe have the ability to ignite a passion for education that willchange lives. Include parents in their children’s education, andengage students in learning. The future of our society dependson it. n

Shannon Finley is Alabama’s Elementary Teacher of the Year and the alternate

to the state teacher of the year. She teaches at Alexandria Elementary School in

Calhoun County.

An 'Engaging' Solution to Underachievement

T

“Tell me and I forget. Teachme and I may remember. Involve me and I will learn.”

Visit www.alabamapta.org/parents/ to read about the six national

standards for family-school partnerships, including: welcome all families

into the school community, communicate effectively, support student

success, speak up for every child, share power and collaborate with the community.


By Craig Pouncey

s we welcomed in this school year,many schools faced new chal-lenges, some of which they have

not seen before. Our work and our focusmust remain on improving the teachingand learning experiences in our schools.This is not a new challenge, but it willrequire thoughtful planning and imple-mentation if we are to continue meetingand exceeding the required and expectedmeasurable levels of achievement.

We cannot expect to get the sameresults by implementing “what workedlast year!” As we begin the 2010 fiscalyear, we are faced with possibly the sec-ond highest “back to back” years of pro-ration that any of us have seen during ourcareers. In 1960 and 1961, the Education

Trust Fund was prorated 8.35 percent and14.14 percent respectively. We have justconcluded the FY2009 budget, which wassubjected to 11 percent proration, and wevery likely will experience from 6 percentto 8 percent proration again this year.(Editor’s note: The governor declared 7.5percent proration of the FY2010 budgeton Sept. 29.)

While all of this seems somewhatdaunting, there are a few things that arecertain. The first is that 743,000 studentsare depending on each of us to providethem with improved educational opportu-nities during this school year. Second,more than 100,000 K-12 educationemployees will still depend on us for thatlevel of support that allows each of them

to experience job successes. These suc-cesses then lead to the common goal ofcontinued improvement in every program.

As education leaders, we know thatthere are a number of factors that arealways invariable or unchanging. A fewmay be:• Our students and staffs are counting on

each of us to provide the leadershipnecessary, regardless of the current eco-nomic conditions that exist in the state.

• The public will still evaluate our accom-plishments based on our academicachievements for the year, regardless ofthe reduced appropriations.

• We have always been asked to do morewith less in years past, so this year willnot be any different.As we move forward, it will be increas-

ingly important that in our respectiveroles of leadership, we keep our staffsfocused on the students. Let’s allow district- and state-level policymakers tofocus on crafting a solution to our currentfunding dilemma.

I am confident that each of you canmeet the challenges of this year. I encour-age you to network with other profes-sionals who are faced with similar challenges. From our past history in K-12 education and by acknowledging the recent accomplishments each of youhas made, I am confident that you will be successful regardless of what mightappear to be an insurmountable chal-lenge this year. n

Reprinted with permission from the

CLAS School Leader magazine, Vol.

36, No. 4, and the author, Craig

Pouncey, who serves as assistant

state superintendent of the state

Department of Education's Division

of Administrative and Financial Services.

A

MONEY-SAVING CHECKLISTThe following measures may be implemented to help control excessive costs for the entire school system.

The recommendations on this list come from Craig Pouncey of the state Department of Education’s Division

of Administrative and Financial Services.

n Conserve Utilities. These expenses represent one of the biggest drains on local funds within our

systems’ budgets. Each school and each district must establish and maintain a systematic approach to reduce

these costs.

n Review Sick Leave. For the most part, the cost of substitutes exceeds almost twice as much as the district

receives from the state. Staff should be encouraged not to abuse this benefit.

n Check the Child Nutrition Program. Ensure CNP eligibility completion and participation through accurate

reporting and proper scheduling. No longer can we attempt to manage individual programs in isolation.

The overall financial stability of the school system is best protected by managing all facets of our school

programs as a whole.

n Manage Transportation. Recognize that the state funds transportation operations costs on regular route

expenses to and from school only. Any extra trip miles should be covered by the class, team or group

that has requested specialized transportation on an “as needed” basis. These funds should be paid at the

state-approved rate of $1.25 per mile and reimbursed to the system’s transportation account.

n No Horseplay. Supervise students at all times to minimize unnecessary maintenance expenses. Students’

horseplay may cause damages that require the unforeseen use of maintenance dollars.

n Build Partnerships. Encourage the establishment of business partnerships and other booster organizations

within your school communities. In these uncertain financial times, these relationships are important in

efforts to supplement state and local budget shortfalls.


renda Brown, a member of Jackson County schoolboard, conducted a face-to-face interview with Sen. Lowell Barron. The interview is a series of features

recapping conversations between state leaders and membersof AASB’s grassroots Leader to Leader program.

s Brown: I want to thank you first of all for meeting with ustoday. I know that I have known you for probably 55 yearsor more. But for the benefit of the school board memberswho are not as familiar with you, I would like for you totell us a little bit about yourself and how you came to bein public service.

u Barron: Thank you, Brenda. I grew up here in JacksonCounty, attended high school at Section, where I graduatedabout the same time as my good friend, Brenda Brown. I had an interest in public service, I think, at that time. I sought and was elected president of my senior class andwas captain of my basketball team. I don’t know, I justwanted to do something to help others and lead and take things in a different direction — or a direction Ithought was better. After finishing Section, I attendedSnead College, and from there, I attended Auburn Uni-versity, graduating in pharmacy. I came back to Fyffe in1965 and established a drug store. In 1967, I was electedMayor of Fyffe, which I served until 1982.

s Brown: That’s when you ran for Senate.u Barron: At that time, I ran for the Alabama State Senate and

was fortunate to be elected, representing the 8th district,which is DeKalb, Jackson and parts of Madison. I servedfor one year. The federal courts required the Senate toredistrict because we did not have enough blackmembers. When the lines were redrawn, theDemocratic Party did not choose me as the Democrat nominee for the Senate; they put someone else in my slot. I chose to run awrite-in election to regain the Senateseat, and, to this day, that is the onlysuccessful write-in election in thehistory of the state of Alabama for astate office. I’ve been very fortu-nate to be able to serve this areafor 27 years now.

s Brown: Please tell us about your role as Senate RulesChairman.

u Barron: I like my role as rules chairman best of all the rolesthat I have had or positions in the Senate. I’m in this posi-tion because I chose to step down as Pro Tem and moveover to rules. Rules is a very key position in the body. Therules chairman determines what bills get to the floor to bevoted on or what bills will not get to be voted on. So therules chairman has solely in his or her power to kill a billif they don’t want to bring it up, or they can advance thebill to the very front if they choose to bring it up first onthe calendar — the list of bills that we bring to the floorof the Senate each day. Basically, the rules chairman andthe Rules Committee are the engine that drives the day-to-day operations of the Senate.

s Brown: What education issue has been your greatest challenge or your greatest accomplishment?

u Barron: The greatest challenge, I guess, has been to try toreduce class sizes, trying to make sure that our studentshave the technology that’s necessary to be equipped for life in the modern world — computers in the class-rooms, Smart Boards and Internet connectivity. These haveall been challenges, but together we’re meeting those challenges. That’s also one of the greatest accomplishments— getting computers in our classrooms and computers inour schools. We’ve also accomplished cutting down the classroom size.

When you and I were in school, there was no limit on thesize of the class. It might be 30, it could be 40. It could be any number. Today, we have reducedclassroom sizes, which I think improveschildren’s education. Those thingshave been accomplished.

FACE TO FACEBy Brenda Brown, Jackson County School Board

Sen. Lowell Barron

B

Sen. Lowell Barron (left) offers his

insights to Jackson County school

board member Brenda Brown.


This year, to put together a budget with no teacher lay-offs was a herculean task, but we’ve been able to accom-plish that.

s Brown: I know that the reduction in class size has beenreally popular in our school district. I remember one time,when I was teaching at Section, that I had a fifth-gradeclass with 53 students. And technology in our area hasbeen outstanding.

What would be your biggest public education goal forK-12 during your tenure in the Legislature?

u Barron: Well, of course, continuing the highest level offunding that we can. I would like to see a more stable fund-ing source for K-12 — certainly not reduced, but at least atthe level we’re currently funding or increased. But, it’s hurt-ful to me and hurtful to education when we go throughyears of proration and reduced funding such as we’re goingthrough now. Due to economic downturn — the fact thatwe fund education with tax dollars from sales tax andincome tax almost solely — when unemployment is high,our tax revenue for education falls off sharply. It’s not goodto have the rollercoaster ride in funding that we do. I wouldlike to see a more stable funding source. That’s the big thing.

s Brown: Any others?u Barron: Of course, I also am a big supporter of pre-K.

There are a lot of questions about the pre-K program. I have various colleagues — one of my Republican col-leagues this session — who introduced an amendment todo away with the pre-K program, and I think that’s veryshort-sighted. That’s not the right direction for children. Ibelieve with very poor children, particularly, if we can capture their little minds when they are young, we have achance to salvage those youngsters and direct them on amore positive course in life. Pre-K is the place where Ithink we can make that intervention and be more success-ful in producing productive citizens.

s Brown: Do you think the time will come when we will beable to fund the pre-K program?

u Barron: I hope that it will. That’s certainly a goal that Iwould like to fund, because I just think that’s very im-portant. And again I say, it’s most important for thoseunderprivileged poor children whose parents cannot afford or maybe they do not live close to pre-kindergartenprograms, whether it be church-related, community-relatedor public. If we can intervene in those young lives for those underprivileged children, ... education gives them the best hope to change their future direction.

s Brown: The education budget this year has presentedmany unique challenges. First, there were severe shortfallsin revenue, and then federal help came with the ever-changing rules to apply the dollars. How do you relate theresulting approach to funding public education?

u Barron: Thank the Lord that we were able to get some 400million-plus federal dollars to put in our education budgetthis year. Otherwise, we would have had massive teacherlayoffs, massive support personnel layoffs, which wouldhave been devastating to the education process as weknow it. We will also have some federal dollars next yearfor budgeting and education. However, after that, I’m veryconcerned. I hope the economy will have turned up. Oth-erwise, we will be facing a bleak time in 2011. But the fed-eral dollars were a godsend this time. Without it, as I said,we would have taken two steps backward in education,and that would have been bad.

s Brown: I certainly agree. There are attempts at the statelevel to impose statewide school calendars to force publiceducation to allow private school students to participate inextracurricular activities and more. Is local control byschool boards for their schools and communities at risk inyour view?

u Barron: I do not think so. There are about 2,000 bills intro-duced each session. Only about 10 percent of those billsget passed, so just because bills are introduced doesn’tmean that they are going to pass the Legislature. The billto set the school calendar has been defeated. The bill toallow private school students to participate in sports andother extracurricular activities at public schools has alsobeen defeated. And, I think rightfully so. If those childrenwant to participate in extracurricular activities at publicschools, they should attend public schools. Otherwise, Ithink they should attend their private school and partici-pate in extracurricular activities at the private school.

s Brown: I have spoken with you many times about theschool calendar issue and allowing local boards of educa-tion to maintain local control. You know our state is so var-ied from the mountains to the gulf and our needs are quitedifferent, so I appreciate your support of that bill. Whatgrade do you give Alabama overall in its support of K-12public education?

ABOUT SEN. LOWELL BARRON

Born in Jackson County and resides in Fyffe; received his bachelor’s degree

in pharmacy from Auburn University; has served terms as president pro tempore

of the Senate; father of four, grandfather of five; and former member of the

Auburn University Board of Trustees.

What he does: The businessman chairs the Senate Rules Committee and represents

District 8. He is serving his seventh term. In 1983, he became the only successful

write-in candidate in the history of the Alabama Legislature.

Other Committees: Banking and Insurance; Commerce, Transportation and Utilities;

Constitution, Campaign Finance, Ethics & Elections; Economic Expansion and Trade;

Finance and Taxation, General Fund; Local Legislation No. 1; and Tourism and Marketing

Contact him: 256/623-2298 or 256/623-2811.

(Continued on page 27)

n How readers receive Alabama School Boards:

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n What is the optimal way

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An e-mail link to the new issue online . . . . . . . . . 16%

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after you’ve read it?

I shelve it as reference material . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40%

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n Rate your satisfaction with the following

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Governance and Leadership

#3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Face to Face Articles with

State Government Leaders

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#7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Questions Feature

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#10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . People & Schools Briefs

n What topics and articles would you like to see

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• Board and superintendent roles and

responsibilities (do’s and don’ts)

• Relationships: Superintendents and personnel

• Personnel and operations

• School improvement (making AYP, update

on federal No Child Left Behind law)

• Hot policy topics with examples

• Board governance (including effectively

driving student achievement)

• School readiness/Bridging the education gap

• National and regional education innovations,

issues and challenges

• Explanation of federal and state programs

and terminology

• School finance (limited budgets; proration;

covering costs; aligning resources to goals and

achievement; and property tax renewal)

• Education law and rules (legal updates;

open meetings, tenure and dismissal laws;

and state board decisions)

• How-to’s from school systems’ success stories

(innovative programs; small, rural and

high-poverty systems overcoming odds;

raising test scores; school consolidation;

helping English language learners, autistic

students and other students with learning

challenges succeed)

• Graduation and dropout rates

• Discipline

• Proposed education legislation


READERSSURVEY

photo©istockPhoto.com Vis

special thank-you to 107 respondents to AASB’s 2009 Alabama School Boards magazine

readership survey. Your feedback will prove invaluable and go a long way toward ensuring

ASB continues to be a key source of valuable, relevant information. Here are the results:A

Don’t miss your chance to hear Education Trust President Kati Haycock, one of thenation’s leading child advocates in the field of educa-tion. She opens the AASB School Board MemberAcademy’s core leadership conference to help boardsdefine the optimal learning environment for all kids. Learn first-hand from a fish bowl of educatorsand students. Learn the latest about the state’s financial situation and how to stay focused on whatreally matters.Earn six credit hours and satisfy the academy’srequirement for the Leadership to Create the OptimalLearning Environment core course. Conference head-quarters are The Renaissance Montgomery Hotel andConvention Center in downtown Montgomery.Register now for Leadership to Create the OptimalLearning Environment to receive your core academycredit.

SCHEDULESUNDAY, OCTOBER 251:00 p.m. Registration Opens 1-3 p.m. Early Bird Workshop:

• Planning for Pre-K: Tools for School Boards3:30 p.m. General Session:

• Get Results by Focusing on Teaching and LearningKati Haycock, President, Education Trust

5:00 p.m. Break 5:30 p.m. Optimal Learning Environment:

Student and Teacher PerspectivesCathy Gassenheimer,

A+ Education Partnership Managing DirectorGeorge Hall Elementary School teachers

and students 7:00 p.m. Conference Recesses 7:15 p.m. TCU Consulting offers Optional Session

and Dinner (Dreamland BBQ)

MONDAY, OCTOBER 267:00 a.m. Registration Opens / Breakfast 8:00 a.m. Breakout Sessions:

• The Board’s Role in Creating a Culture of Quality Teaching and LearningCullman city and Perry County boards of education

• Create a Safe Environment for SchoolsSouthern Poverty Law Center

• Using Technology to Optimize LearningMadison City Schools

9:10 a.m. Breakout Sessions Repeat 10:30 a.m. Keep Optimal Learning First, Even in Lean Times

Craig Pouncey, Assistant Superintendent, state Department of Education

11:00 a.m. Diversity in the Optimal Learning and Working Environment

Ella Bell, state Department of Education, ASU Dropout Center

11:30 a.m. Adjourn

Calling All Early Birds!School readiness is the best foundation we can give youngpeople. AASB’s Early Bird Workshop Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009,from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. on Planning for Pre-kindergarten:Tools for School Boards. Register now for this pre-conferencesession at The Renaissance Hotel & Convention Center in Montgomery. Hear from schools that have incorporatedpre-K into their school systems and learn from their successesand challenges. Receive The Center for Public Education’s“Planning for Pre-kindergarten Toolkit for School Boards,”which includes sections on how to start a pre-K program,community engagement, governance, quality indicators, theschool board’s role and more. AASB members will earn twoacademy hours for their participation. Registration is $65 formembers, $130 for others.

REGISTER ONLINE TODAY!Visit www.AlabamaSchoolBoards.org by Oct. 20 to avoid late registration penalty. For details, call 800/562-0601.

School Board Member AcademyCore Course

Leadership to Createthe Optimal Learning

EnvironmentMaking Schools a Great Place

to Learn and Work

School Board Member AcademyCore Course

Leadership to Createthe Optimal Learning

EnvironmentMaking Schools a Great Place

to Learn and Work

or 10 years, I served on a local board of education, fol-lowed by working directly with boards as a trainer andfacilitator. I have worked with literally hundreds of board

members, so I have some license to say that, by and large, thevast majority of board members are among the finest people.However, certain issues seem to crop up with some boardmembers regularly, even those with the best intentions. So,I’ve put together my list of the 10 most common errors boardmembers should avoid.

1. Lacking PatienceYou probably were appointed or asked to run because

someone saw your leadership potential. In all likelihood,board service also represents your first opportunity to serve inpublic office. So, naturally, you want to do it all now andknow it all yesterday. Great! Don’t lose that enthusiasm!

But, if you think that you will learn it all or do it all imme-diately, you will probably not succeed and will frustrate your-self and your fellow board members. Understand that it reallytakes a while to learn the issues, the politics and the people.It could take a year before you are up to speed on such thingsas budget or policy. Meanwhile, take advantage of trainingopportunities presented by the board, your state schoolboards association or the National School Boards Association.Those experiences will help you a lot.

Joining a team decision-making group is new for manyboard members. It takes time to learn to appreciate the opinions of those with whom you disagree. Try to understandwhat motivates others and have patience with ideas differentthan your own.

2. Behaving Poorly I have seen board members throw temper-tantrums, use

off-color language, throw things and threaten or insult boardmembers, the superintendent, staff or the public on a numberof occasions. It amazes me how many of those same boardmembers would be the first to object if they saw the studentsin their schools acting the same way.

In many cases, board members act out due to frustration,because they feel that they have no voice in the board’sactions. Members of the “majority” need to examine theirbehavior to see if they are consciously, or unconsciously, contributing to the problem.

Members of the public who come to a board meeting to

share their ideas deserve respect. Most people are very un-comfortable in such a position, and it takes a lot for them tocome out and approach the board with an issue. Likewise,show your professional staff the courtesy they deserve whenthey are presenting to the board. Staff members, including thesuperintendent, treat presenting to the board as an honor andare very proud of the work they are showing you. If the boardhas an issue with an action of the superintendent, talk to himor her on the side or in executive session if appropriate. Don’tair dirty laundry in public.

Your community will often judge the quality of yourschools by the board’s behavior. Give them something to beproud of!

3. Challenging Board VotesEmotions run high when the board makes a difficult

decision on an emotional issue. Board members tend to becommitted to doing what they think is right and sometimes amajority of the board may see things differently than you andvote accordingly. There are few things more destructive thana board member publicly chastising the board of education formaking a “bad” decision. The subtleties will be lost on thegeneral populace, which will only see a board in chaos.

Another serious mistake board members sometimes makeis when they believe they are going to lose a vote — they foldtheir arms, close their mouths and pout rather than share theirideas. It is very important that those members share their con-cerns with their colleagues. You may not win your point, butit is very likely that some of your concerns could be addressedby amending the motion to take them into consideration. Becareful how you present your ideas. Be judged on the qualityof your ideas, not your behavior.

My advice is to fight hard for what you believe in, acceptthe will of the board and publicly support the decisions of theboard after the vote.

4. Being a ‘Lone Ranger’There often seems to be board members who appoint

themselves “overseer” of the school system. I recall one boardmember, an administrator in an adjoining school system, whooften went on “raids” at the high school, trying to find mistakes. She would appear at board meetings, legal pad atthe ready, with a report to the board of all the “problems” atthe school. Whether improperly acting as the board’s


BOARDMANSHIP BASICSBy Nicholas D. Caruso Jr.

10 Mistakes Board Members Shouldn’t Make

F


spokesperson or a one-person auditing firm, board membersneed to remember that, in general, individual board membershave no more authority than any other member of the public.

5. Seeing Trees, Not the Forest Probably the greatest complaint by superintendents is the

board micromanaging the administration. I’ve seen boardsargue about what wattage light bulb to purchase. There is nodefinitive answer to what constitutes policy versus administra-tion. However, there are a few things to help a board andsuperintendent set some ground rules:• Understand that not all issues are exclusively either policy

or administration. Gray areas abound. • The board and superintendent should discuss and decide

together where the lines need to be drawn. • The more the board concentrates on vision, the less it

should be in day-to-day activities. • Setting goals and monitoring their implementation through

policy and communicating often with staff are appropriate.

6. Dropping Bombs at Meetings Occasionally a board member will try to make points in the

community by embarrassing the superintendent or boardpresident by dropping a “bomb” — a surprise question thatcannot be quickly answered. The intent isn’t to gain informa-tion, only to embarrass someone.

A primary task of a board of education is to make deci-sions, based on information they acquire through reading,presentations and asking questions. Board members need tofeel comfortable in making a decision, and it is important toask any question that needs answering prior to voting. But,how you ask it is very important. If you know the issue isdivisive or is a matter of concern in the community, pick upthe phone and ask the superintendent beforehand. Give thesuperintendent time to give a thoughtful answer, which willhelp you, and other board members, make a good decision.

In some cases, it is important that the question you are ask-ing be asked publicly, if you know members of the commu-nity have the same concern. You want your community toknow that the matter was discussed, asked and answered, andthat the board took the matter into consideration. Good boardmembers will call the superintendent and mention they will be asking the question at the board meeting. Again, thepurpose of raising questions is to help the board decide.

Similarly, many times, board members ask questions thatwere answered quite well in the preparation materials pro-vided in the board packet. If they had read the packet aheadof time, they wouldn’t have had to waste the board’s timereviewing material already presented.

Fair is fair: if the board shouldn’t surprise the superin-tendent or board president, neither should they drop an emergency decision on the board’s lap without adequatepreparation. A true emergency aside, the board shouldn’t get hit with a surprise request to pass something without adequate information to make a good decision.

7. Putting Politics Before Children School board service is “grassroots” democracy at its best,

or worst, depending on how politics play in your community.I have worked with boards where politics stymies the board’sability to focus on children. I have seen boards crippled bypartisan infighting and the school system slowly falter as thelack of vision and leadership keeps everyone from doing whatis necessary to improve education.

If you have a political board, I suggest you each get a blanksheet of paper, write your political affiliation on it, have some-one collect them and throw them out of the meeting room!Leave politics out of board business. It doesn’t belong there.

8. Becoming a ‘Ball Carrier’It seems that every board has someone who acts as the

spokesperson for the staff or specific community groups. Whileevery board member wants to be helpful, under no circum-stances should they try to circumvent the chain of command.Human nature being what it is, every story has two sides.

In cases where staff or parents approach you, rememberthat the board is often the last link in the chain of com-mand. Your board should have a clear policy on when it is

Memorize ThisSchool board members should commit to memory the following

statements, crafted by veteran school board trainer Nick Caruso:

n When a staff member or citizen bypasses the chain of command

and brings a school problem directly to you.

“This problem could end up requiring board action, and if I am involved

in it at this level, I will be unable to act on it as a member of the board

because it could be a violation of due process. You really need to go

through the proper channels.”

n When you’ve lost a hard-fought battle and disagree

with the board’s decision.

I am bound to the decisions of the board. I promise I will respect the

outcome of the vote and will not undermine the credibility of the board

by criticizing the decision of the majority. I recognize that this is my

ethical responsibility.

n When you’re tempted to share what was discussed

in an executive session.

I promise that I will not compromise the confidentiality of executive

sessions. I will not divulge information discussed during executive

sessions, nor shall I distribute confidential materials received in those

meetings. As a board member, I will strive to ensure that issues discussed

in executive session meet the criteria defined by the law.

I recognize that this is my ethical responsibility.



The 2008-09 year serves astestimony to what an asso-ciation that stands togethercan achieve, even in finan-cially challenging and un-certain times. Among theachievements were legislative

wins for K-12 education in Alabama,accoladesfrom you about AASB’s services, grants attained to launch AASB’s ongoing Govern-ing for Achievement Project and Pre-K Initiative and national recognition that confirms this organization as both necessaryand worthwhile.Once again,your recognitionof that value resulted in 100 percent member-ship for the past year.

During the 2009 Regular Legislative Ses-sion, the association pushed for a statewidebill to ensure local boards of education have apolicy on board member training.AASB wonthat effort, and local board training policiesshould be in place by March 2010. Our multi-year quest to revise the state’s school nurselaw has ended positively, and public schoolscan now hire licensed practical nurses to fill alongtime void in school nursing. Once again,the tourism and summer camp industry’sschool start date bill didn’t survive, re-affirm-ing that the decision of when to start schoolis better left up to the local community.

AASB President Sue Helms has said,“Keep-ing the concerns of education leaders in theforefront at the Alabama State Housebecomes easier due to AASB’s stature and

growth as a trusted resource.”She’s right,andit’s all thanks to you. Our Leader to Leaderprogram continues to build one-on-one relationships between school board mem-bers and legislative leaders. Many of youhave taken advantage of AASB’s training and put it to good use — speaking withauthority and knowledge about statewideeducation issues to the media and the publicin your communities. You’re visiting legis-lators when they’re home in their districts,and you’re answering our calls to actionwhen we must use our unified voice tospeak on behalf of Alabama’s students.

And, you’re availing yourself of AASB’straining and services. You understand boards with high standards and that provideadequate support can create the conditionsnecessary for a high-achieving school sys-tem. That very concept is the basis of thestate’s Governing for Achievement Project,a partnership effort led by AASB and that includes the state Department of Edu-cation, School Superintendents of Alabamaand A+ Education Partnership’s Best Prac-tices Center. We’re entering the second year of that grant-funded project and seeingmagnificent results in the eight school systems undergoing the intensive training.Read more about this project and other AASB initiatives in the annual report that follows.

In that report,you’ll also discover that AASBreceived the 2009 National School Public

School board

members serve with

a contagious passion

for student success

and a genuine interest

in empowering

communities to do

right by their

youngest residents.

It’s inspiring.

It’s the job of a

lifetime. And, the

Alabama Association

of School Boards —

your association —

strives to do all we

can to prepare school

board members

for excellence

in leadership,

boardmanship

and governance.

ALook Back, ALeap ForwardBy Sally Howell, J.D., AASB Executive Director

Alabama Association of School Boards2008-2009 Annual Report to Our Members

Sally Howell


Relations Association Award of Merit for its redesignedAlabama School Boards magazine and was the only recipientof NSPRA’s Branding/Image Packaging Award of Excellence.

We, however, cannot rest on our laurels.The future is uponus. As the burdens on your shoulders increase, so must thebenefits of the support and help we provide.This new age ofhigh stakes testing, a flawed No Child Left Behind law,renewed vigor to increase graduation rates, global competi-tion for jobs, and the fundamental need to demand highexpectations for every child — well, that age is not so newanymore.The 21st century is here, and the pace is fast.

To meet the demand, AASB has enlisted a number of youand our stakeholders to help us craft a bold strategic plan.Weare excited. Help us as we move our association and this stateforward to fulfill our promise of a better life for our children. The journey, no doubt, will be uncertain at times.It already is with the dark cloud of deeply cut education funding hanging over our heads. Let us work together to find solutions, to work efficiently,to be smarter and redouble ourefforts to focus on what trulymatters. AASB will focus onyou. Our new mission hasbeen intrinsic in this asso-ciation throughout our60-year existence —“developing excellentschool board leadersthrough quality training, advo-cacy and services.” So, if you need us, call us. It’s who we are. It’swhat we do.

You’ll see more from us as we continue toroll out this three- to five-year plan.The action planis daring, to say the least. But, we hope you’ll like theresults, offer us your feedback and help us to move forward. Read on, and you’ll understand what AASB believesand how we hope to accomplish our mission.

STRATEGIC PLANNINGPage 18Our Mission, Our Beliefs,Our Objectives, Our Strategies

ANNUAL REPORTPage 20Governance, Advocacy,Training, Services, Grants



Strategic Planning

Our MissionTo develop excellent school board leaders

through quality training, advocacy and services

Our Beliefs1. All human beings have equal inherent worth

2. High expectations lead to higher achievement

3. The community has a responsibility for the well-being of its children

4. Learning is a lifelong process

5. Education empowers

6. A sense of purpose adds meaning to life

7. In unity, there is strength

8. Diversity enriches the human experience

9. Family is the foundation for life

Our Objectives1. Set and attain high standards for student achievement

2. Ensure community engagement and support

3. Set standards for boards

4. Build and manage educational resources

Our Strategies1. Advocacy: We will develop a plan to increase AASB’s advocacy efforts.

2. Board Training: We will develop and implement relevant training

to increase the effectiveness of school boards in areas such as

boardmanship, finance, student achievement and technology.

3. Board Services: We will provide services that help boards be more

effective, generate revenue and enhance member participation.

4. Public Image: We will proactively work to improve the image

of public education.

STRATEGY: The Planning TeamAASB members, superintendents, legislators and representatives

of business, universities, the state Department of Education

and other associations and professions.

Sue Helms ....................... Madison City Board of Education

Florence Bellamy ............. Phenix City Board of Education

Steve Foster .............. Lowndes County Board of Education

Sally Howell .................................. AASB Executive Director

Lissa Tucker ............................................. AASB Staff Liaison

Denise Berkhalter................................... AASB Staff Liaison

LuAnn Bird ............................................... AASB Staff Liaison

Jennifer Parsons ..... Jefferson County Board of Education

Sue Jones ................... Jacksonville City Board of Education

Bill Minor ...................... Dallas County Board of Education

April Williams.......... Birmingham City Board of Education

Dr. Judy Stout .............. Mobile County Board of Education

Bobby Diggs ............ Lawrence County Board of Education

Carl Johnson .................... Bishop, Colvin, Johnson & Kent

Jeremy Oden................ Alabama House of Representatives

Jeff McLaughlin ........... Alabama House of Representatives

Dr. Steve Nowlin............... Lee County Board of Education

Scott Cofield............. Cleburne County Board of Education

Dennis Coe.................... Henry County Board of Education

David Mullendorf .. Paper and Chemical Supply Company

Dr. Jodi Newton.. Samford University School of Education

Victor Ve rn o n........................ Business Council of Alabama

Odell Stuckey......................... Strategic Planning Consultant

Ken Roberts.................. AASB Strategic Planning Facilitator


STRATEGY: AdvocacySpecific Results:

w Identify key issues to focus our advocacy efforts.w Increase local school board member interaction

with their lawmakers and policymakers.w Collaborate with other groups on common goals, issues

and concerns.

STRATEGY: Board TrainingSpecific Results:

w To identify research-based best practices to promote higherstudent achievement.

w Create standards and measures to guide board development.w Create a curriculum with clear board performance objectives

aligned with standards and measures.w Create AASB levels of achievement and a recognition

program for full boards.w Expand mentor program.

STRATEGY: Board ServicesSpecific Results:

w Provide high quality services that are relevant and meet the needs of local school boards/districts through routineevaluation of services offered.

w Provide additional assurance local school systems are receiving all local revenues provided by applicable laws and regulations.

w Inform and facilitate local board usage of the range of banking services available in order to maximize efficiency and effectiveness of financial operations.

w Provide support through technology audits, funding acquisition assistance or other technology related services to school systems wishing to maximize availability and use of technology.

w Provide media services to local school districts.w Provide local boards with techniques and resources

for self-evaluation and the ability to more effectively obtain stakeholder feedback.

w Assist local boards as needed with the development of district-specific tools and methodology for superintendent evaluations.

w Provide support through Persogenics and strategic planningservices to school boards wishing to enhance board relationsand productivity.

w Assist local boards with the identification and selection ofquality candidates for the positions of Superintendent andCSFO.

STRATEGY: Public ImageSpecific Results:

w Develop a step-by-step handbook that outlines the basics of school-level media relations, communication and marketing.

w Create or enhance existing public relations training that emphasizes public image topics.

w Develop and launch a statewide promotional public education campaign that is customizable and can be implemented at the local and state levels.

w Develop a step-by-step guide that outlines the basics of improving public image through community/family engagement and relationship-building. Include a customizable toolkit.

w Create or enhance existing community/family engagement and relationship-building training. n


Strategic Planning

STRATEGY: Timelinew July 2008 AASB Board of Directors

reviews strategic plan proposals

w August 2008 Executive Committee selects strategic plan consultant

w Fall 2008 Strategic Plan Team selected

w November 2008 First meeting of Strategic Planning Team

w December 2008 Board receives preliminary report

w December 2008 Action Teams meetFebruary 2009

w February 2009 Second Strategic Planning Team meeting

w March 2009 Board receives/adopts proposed strategic plan

w July 2009 Strategic plan launched

AASB’s Director of Board Development LuAnn Bird prepares the student panel to discuss their

educational needs with those attending the spring Policy and Planning Conference.


GovernanceA 14-member board of directors governs AASB and consists of four offi-

cers, nine directors representing geographical locations in the state and a

member of the state Board of Education. State officers — president,

president-elect and vice president — are elected to two-year terms.

The immediate past president also serves as an officer. The association’s

officers are elected by the Delegate Assembly, which is comprised of

representatives from all member school boards. Directors are elected to

two-year terms by the member boards in their districts. In addition,

some districts also elect officers.

AASB’s officers continued moving the association forward lastyear. Representing the interests of the association were PresidentSue Helms of the Madison, President-Elect Florence Bellamy ofPhenix City, Vice President Steve Foster of Lowndes County,Immediate Past President Jim Methvin of the Alabama School ofFine Arts board and Executive Committee member Jennifer Par-sons of Jefferson County. Yet, the 2009 leadership did have sev-eral new faces, including: District 1 Director Stephanie Walker ofBrewton, District 3 Director Roxie Kitchens of Troy, District 7Director Brett Whitehead of Tuscaloosa County and District 9

Director Dr. Shelia Nash-Stevenson of Madison. Outgoing direc-tors Patsy Black of Monroe County, Jeff Bailey of CovingtonCounty, Susan Harris of Winfield and Laura Casey of Albertvillehad served the maximum two terms allowed by associationbylaws. District 5 Director Jennifer Parsons was re-elected to theboard in an uncontested race. Dr. Mary Jane Caylor wasappointed as the state Board of Education liaison and replacedSandra Ray, who did not run for re-election to the state board.The new directors officially assumed office at the close of AASB’s2008 Convention.

Members are also involved in AASB governance through sev-eral committees. Chairs for the ad hoc committees active in 2009were Jennifer Parsons of Jefferson County for Leader to Leader,Steve Foster of Lowndes County for Multicultural; and FlorenceBellamy of Phenix City for Academy Advisory. Leading the stand-ing committees as chairmen were Jeff Bailey of CovingtonCounty for Budget and Finance; Sue Jones of Jacksonville forBylaws; Katy Smith Campbell of Macon County for Resolutions;and Sue Helms of Madison for Executive/Legislative.

AASB’s mission is to provide quality advocacy, training andservices to its nearly 900 members. Membership also includes ourProfessional Sustaining Members and associate members.

Advocacyw LEADER TO LEADER

AASB’s grassroots Leader to Leader program thrived and catapulted the

association to unprecedented success in the state Legislature in 2009.

Leading the initiative were Jennifer Parsons of Jefferson County, chair;

Laura Casey of Albertville, vice chair; and ex-officio member Sue Helms of

Madison, AASB’s president. AASB achieved its legislative agenda with the

enactment of legislation requiring board member training in board poli-

cies. In addition, AASB led the charge to stop legislation thwarting local

control to once again defeat the school start date effort. School board

members had a strong voice in protecting the K-12 education budget as

the education family united around the importance of preserving fund-

ing for schoolchildren.

By identifying key local school board advocates and pairingthem with local legislators through the Leader to Leader program,state lawmakers have a key contact and resource to rely upon foreducation issues and the impact they have on school systemsback home. This relationship has made a significant differencein the education discussion at the Alabama State House.

Periodically, the AASB Board of Directors will recognize legislators who display exemplary leadership on behalf of


2008-2009 Annual Report

AASB President Sue Helms presents the President's Award to Bruce Grant of the Tarrant

Board of Education at the District 5 meeting.


public education and supportlocal control of Alabama’spublic schools. The board waspleased to honor Rep. JeremyH. Oden with the 2009 AASBLegislative Award. A memberof the Education Appropria-tions Committee, he helpsshape the Education TrustFund budget each year and is

a consistent supporter of Alabama’s public schools. Oden offi-cially received the award at AASB’s 2009 Summer Conference.

w LEGISLATIVE ORIENTATION

AASB once again co-hosted a Legislative Orientation program with con-

stituents who advocate on behalf of kindergarten-12th grade public

schools. Leading advocates from these associations — whether representing school boards, superintendents, administrators oreducation employees — can effectively convey a strong mes-sage about Alabama students’ needs through coordinatedefforts. The coalition of voices among K-12 has grown to be animpressive and effective advocacy tool on common themes andmessages, despite past differences. AASB pioneered the Legis-lative Orientations for state lawmakers and opened the forumto include all associations representing K-12 education. The2009 legislative event was well attended.

w CONGRESSIONAL VISITS

AASB’s Executive Committee joined school board members from

around the nation in Washington, D.C., in January to present a unified,

representative voice on Capitol Hill. Participating in the National School

Boards Association’s federal relations network allows Alabama to add its

voice to the need for increased federal support for strong policy and fund-

ing for K-12 education. AASB’s team provided information to Alabama’s

Congressional delegation to address key issues such as the federal stimu-

lus package, No Child Left Behind and protecting the Medicaid Adminis-

trative Claiming (MAC) program.

Visits were scheduled with all members of Alabama’s congres-sional delegation including a breakfast with Congressman ArturDavis’ education liaison and lunch with Congressman MikeRogers’ staff. AASB’s FRN team met in congressional offices with Congressman Parker Griffith and the staff of all other congressmen. The team also had an impromptu encounter with Sen. Richard Shelby, Sen. Jeff Sessions and CongressmanBobby Bright.

In attendance were AASB President Sue Helms of Madison;President-Elect Florence Bellamy of Phenix City; Vice PresidentSteve Foster of Lowndes County; Immediate Past President JimMethvin of the Alabama School of Fine Arts board; ExecutiveCommittee member Jennifer Parsons of Jefferson County; andExecutive Director Sally Howell.

TrainingSCHOOL BOARD MEMBER ACADEMY

w FIELD SERVICES

“If anyone asks if this was worthwhile, tell them to call us,” said

Muscle Shoals board member Farrell Southern after his full board par-

ticipated in a specialized workshop on Governing for Higher Student

Achievement. The board development experience was tailor-made for

Muscle Shoals and presented to them at a time and date of their choice

— the calling card of AASB’s custom field service training. Through

our field services program, we can bring the training your governance

team has determined it needs directly to you — either to a board

work session or retreat or to a gathering of a handful of boards in a

particular geographic area or AASB district.

Field services are part of AASB’scomprehensive and extensive train-ing program built around schoolboard members’ unique educationaland skill needs.

The 2008-09 fiscal year was aboon for field service training with a mix of 47 sessions. AASBmembers are entitled to a series of customized introductory ses-sions at no additional cost. These facilitated sessions include: Policy-making, Superintendent SearchPlanning, Selling a Tax Referendum

and Introduction to Board Service. In addition, the AASB boardself-evaluation instrument is free for any member board to use.

In the past couple years, board development has grown toinclude profound for-fee training built around a specific board’sdata, goals, needs and defining characteristics. The interactive3-hour customized workshops for governance teams are worthcredit hours (per participating school board member) in theAASB School Board Member Academy. These sessions include:Governing for Higher Student Achievement; Team Building for



AASB members mingle with Rep. Mac Gipson

and Sen. Vivian Figures at a Pre-K Advocacy

Forum.

At AASB’s 2008-09 Convention, speaker

Eric Wahl paints upside down to

inspire innovative thinking.



Effective Boardmanship; Board Meetings that Matter; Under-standing School Finance; Governance and Ethics; DefiningBoard/Superintendent Expectations; and Planning and GoalSetting.

w CONFERENCES AND CONVENTION

AASB trains members through its School Board Member Academy.

The academy’s “core curriculum” focuses on basic educationgovernance and includes a two-part leadership orientation aswell as leadership courses in Financial Accountability, Develop-ing Highly Effective Staff, Academic Achievement, Policy andPlanning, Optimal Learning Environment and CommunityEngagement.

School board members are automatically enrolled in the acad-emy. AASB records attendance to the two statewide conferences,

two core curriculum conferences, district meetings, customizedtraining, National School Boards Association events and othertraining. AASB provides a copy of members’ academy recordtwice each year. Hours earned from July 1 to June 30 are tallied,and individual members achieving new levels and full board par-ticipation are recognized. Master School Board Members receivegold badges, and full boards receive the President’s Award.AASB’s highest honor, the All-State School Board Member Recog-nition, is reserved for past or present school board members whohave exhibited exemplary boardmanship.

In 2008-09, AASB hosted its Leadership for Policy and Planningconference in March with sessions on strategic planning, policiesversus procedures, 21st century goal setting, updating policymanuals and more. The March early bird session focused oncareer technical education. AASB’s January-February 2009 district

meetings had the theme “Making Cents: What You Really Needto Know About School Finance.” The December 2008 AASB Con-vention received rave reviews and featured acclaimed nationalspeakers Erik Wahl, an artist who expressed “The Art of Vision,”and Harvey Alton, whose football coaching experience under-pinned his presentation on “The Art of Teamwork.” Conventionalso included addresses from state Superintendent of EducationDr. Joe Morton and Rep. Artur Davis. The 2008 Summer Confer-ence inspired attendees to “Surf the Wave of Success” and fea-tured Bud Taylor, who espoused the principles of John Kotter’sbook “Our Iceberg is Melting,” as well as Deputy State Superin-tendent Dr. Tommy Bice, Assistant State Superintendent CraigPouncey and 2008 Alabama Teacher of the Year Roy Hudson.



June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb March April May

9

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

No. o

f App

oint

men

ts

Number of Field Service Presentations and Workshops (2008 - 2009)Includes Governing for Higher Student Achievement Project

2008 2009

The Monroe County school board poses at the AASB District 1 meeting.

AASB School Board Member Academy

Schedule of Core Leadership CoursesMarch June or July October December

2009 Policy and Leadership 1 Optimal Learning Leadership 2Planning Environment

2010 Financial Leadership 1 Academic Leadership 2Accountability Achievement

2011 Highly Effective Leadership 1 Community Leadership 2Staff Engagement


2013 Financial Leadership 1 Academic Leadership 2Accountability Achievement

2014 Highly Effective Leadership 1 Community Leadership 2Staff Engagement





For the 2008-09 academy year, nearly 3,000 members parti-cipated in AASB training activities, and 274 advanced to newacademy levels. Of those, 29 reached the master level for the firsttime and five — Jeff Bailey of Covington County, Greg Batche-lor of Winston County, Dr. Kirit Chapatwala of Selma, Lillie Doveof Brewton and Tracy Estes of Winfield — earned a place on theacademy’s coveted Master Honor Roll.

The President’s Award winners for 2008-09 included: Albert-ville, Attalla, Auburn, Bessemer, Birmingham, Brewton, BullockCounty, Cherokee County, Clarke County, Conecuh County,Elmore County, Eufaula, Fairfield, Florence, Geneva County,Greene County, Hoover, Lauderdale County, Limestone County,Macon County, Madison, Midfield, Mobile County, MorganCounty, Muscle Shoals, Perry County, Phenix City, Russellville,Selma, Shelby County, Sumter County, Sylacauga, Talladega, Talladega County, Tarrant, Thomasville, Troy, Tuscaloosa,Tuscaloosa County, Wilcox County and Winfield.

The 2007-08 All-State School Board Members included AlexDavenport of Oxford, Beverly Ross of Montgomery County,David Strobel of Auburn, Carolyn Wallace of Morgan County andPhyllis Wyne of Birmingham. The 2008-09 winners will benamed this winter.

School board presidents gathered in 2009 for collaborative andinformative meetings to share experiences, gain new leadershipideas and to learn from best practices. The new Board PresidentsRoundtable is a ready-made network and pool of mentors. AASBis asking all new board presidents and board chairs to contact the association to participate in the roundtable led by AASB’spresident and president-elect.

Servicesw ARMS

Alabama Risk Management for Schools, a self-funded risk manage-

ment trust, continued this past year to accomplish its mission of

providing AASB member boards consistent, cost effective strategies for

funding selected automobile, general liability and errors and omissions

liability risk to which the boards are exposed. ARMS is governed by

a board of trustees consisting of five board members, a superintendent

and a school business official.

The 2008-09 ARMS Board of Trustees included Chairman SteveFreeman of Cullman County, Steve Foster of Lowndes County,Steve Fair of Winfield, Jeff Bailey of Covington County, Dr.Suzanne Freeman of Trussville, Ron Glover of MontgomeryCounty, Eddie Lowe of Phenix City and Secretary-Treasurer SallyHowell. Dr. Dwight Hester serves as insurance consultant, Edu-cation Research Center.

Current board member trustees are Chairman Lowe, Bailey,Fair, Foster, John Parker of Troy, Tarrant Superintendent Dr.Martha Rizzuto and Glover. These trustees, being fully aware ofthe financial condition of Alabama boards of education, continued a multi-year strategy for reducing the cost of partici-pating in the ARMS general liability/errors and omissions liability fund.This rate reduction strategy is basedupon a reduced number of claimsagainst the members and a secure,stable ARMS financial statement.These same factors allowed thetrustees to keep the rates for parti-cipating in the ARMS automobile liability fund the same as the previous nine years.

In addition to reducing and/orholding rates the same, the trusteesapproved providing a free, 13th month of coverage for boardsparticipating in each of the liability funds. This free month of coverage, equivalent to an 8.5 percent dividend, changed thestart of the ARMS fiscal year to Oct. 1; hence matching the members’ fiscal year. The concurrent fiscal years should helpboards with budgeting for ARMS participation.

In 2008-09, there were 133 boards of education participating in ARMS.

w LEGAL ASSISTANCE FUND

Legal challenges are costly not only to the school board involved

in the case, but potentially to other boards. When a board loses an

important decision, case law can be established that impacts all school

boards. That’s where AASB’s Legal Assistance Fund (LAF) comes in —

as credible support for school boards’ common interests. Typically, the

LAF enters such cases by filing amicus curiae (“friend of the court”)

(Left to right) AASB President Sue Helms is pictured with the 2008-09 All-State School Board

Members: Alex Davenport of Oxford, Beverly Ross of Montgomery County, David Strobel of

Auburn, Carolyn Wallace of Morgan County and Phyllis Wyne of Birmingham.

Risk management consultant Dr.

Dwight Hester addresses ARMS

participants at AASB’s 2008-09

Annual Convention.



briefs, logging and tracking active cases and providing basic legal

research. Governed by a board of trustees, the LAF seeks to influence

the outcome of court challenges, but under no circumstances will it

bear the full cost of a case.

In the past fiscal year, 135 boards of education in Alabama par-ticipated in LAF for only $150 each in dues. LAF assisted mem-bers who were involved in four cases of statewide significance in2009. Those cases include:

• Montgomery County Board of Education v. Webb, whetherhearing officer’s authority to re-litigate discipline previouslytaken by the board when employee waived rights. Pending inAlabama Supreme Court.

• McCord-Baugh v. Birmingham Board of Education, whethersuperintendent’s authority to bind the board to commitmentswithout board concurrence. Without opinion, the AlabamaCourt of Civil Appeals upheld a lower court decision againstthe board for the equal protection claim by “class of one.” Nowpending in Alabama Supreme Court.

• Boone et al. v. Birmingham Board of Education, whethercoaches are entitled to notice of coaching contract cancellationat end of school year under tenure law. Pending in AlabamaSupreme Court.

• Madison County Board of Education v. Laura Wilson, provedthat a hearing officer’s application of standards of “just causefor termination” from collective-bargaining cases to Wilson’scase resulted in a decision that was “arbitrary and capricious.”Upheld Court of Civil Appeals’ reversal of arbitrator’s decisionand remanded the case for a new hearing. The Alabama

Supreme Court denied Wilson’s petition for writ of certiorari toclarify whether the new hearing was to be before the originalor a new hearing officer.

LAF Trustees for 2008-09 were: • Sue Helms of the Madison school board • Florence Bellamy of the Phenix City school board • Steve Foster of the Lowndes County school board • Jim Methvin of the Alabama School of Fine Arts board • Katy Smith Campbell of the Macon County school board • AASB Executive Director Sally Howell, secretary-treasurer.

w MEDICAID ADMINISTRATIVE CLAIMING

AND DIRECT BILL

The Alabama Association of School Boards’ Medicaid Administrative

Claiming and Direct Bill programs have reclaimed a total of $87 million

for school systems in the past 10 years. From January 2008 through

March 2009, nearly $20 million was returned to school systemsthat provide direct services or pay up-front costs for services provided to Medicaid-eligible students under federal law. TheCenters of Medicare and Medicaid Services at the U.S. Depart-ment of Health and Human Services repay schools for eligibleexpenses. Paid quarterly, the reimbursed funds may be used atthe board of education’s discretion. Thanks to AASB, NSBA andother education advocates, moratoria were in effect until June2009 to prevent The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Servicesfrom changing rules that would have eliminated reimbursementfor school-based Medicaid administration and transportationcosts for eligible students. The rules change was officiallyrescinded July 1, ensuring the viability of the MAC and Direct Billprograms.

w SCHOOL BOARD ATTORNEYS

The Alabama Council of School Board Attorneys, which had 104 mem-

bers in 2008-09, is a component of the Alabama Association of School

Boards and is exclusively for school board attorneys. ACSBA provides

members with the specialized information they need to keep pace with

developments in education law and to protect and defend school boards.

Members meet annually to discuss these issues, receive legislative

updates and share their knowledge of court rulings that impact local

school boards.Seminar topics during the July 2008 Summer Conference

included Section 504, Juvenile Justice Code revision, CompetitiveBid Law update, practical pointers regarding teacher certification,ethics, Tenure and Fair Dismissal laws and privacy concerns.During the business meeting, ACSBA selected their officers andboard. The 2008-09 officers were President Woody Sanderson of



AASB Executive Director Sally Howell congratulates outgoing AASB director Jeff Bailey for his

service.


Lanier, Ford, Shaver & Payne; Vice President Lewis S. “Pete”Hamilton of Powell & Hamilton; and Secretary-Treasurer SallyHowell, AASB’s executive director. The ACSBA Board of Direc-tors included Larry Craven of the state Department of Education;Afrika C. Parchman of Thomas, Means, Gillis & Seay; W. DavidRyan of Phelps, Jenkins, Gibson & Fowler; and Jayne H. Williamsof Hill, Hill, Carter, Franco, Cole & Black.

New members enjoy an opportunity to network and learn fromseasoned school board attorneys who often present at theACSBA summer meeting. ACSBA applies for continuing educa-tion credit to benefit seminar attendees.

w POLICY REVIEW AND ANALYSIS

Recognizing that setting policy is the primary function of school

boards, AASB assists the development of legally sound, practical policies.

AASB provides a Policy Reference Guide and offers policy analysis review

for school systems as an additional service. AASB also has linked to

school systems’ board policies on its Web site.

AASB has provided a Policy Reference Guide on a regularlyupdated CD to each school system. The CD is formatted usinga streamlined, numerical and easily referenced model. The guideis for the exclusive use of AASB members.

AASB also offers a customized service to school systems thatwish to overhaul or simply update their school board policymanuals. The charge for a policy review/update ranges from$8,000 to $15,000, and the turnaround time is 60 to 90 days. Tes-timonials of the service’s effectiveness include:

• Madison County Superintendent Dr. Terry Davis, who said,“AASB’s policy review service is outstanding and surprisinglyaffordable.”

• Shelby County Superintendent Randy Fuller, who said, “ShelbyCounty Schools recently took advantage of AASB’s policy-by-policy analysis service and found it to be very thorough and

extremely helpful as we took on the daunting task of updatingour policy manual.”

• Albertville Superintendent Dr. Ric Ayer, who said, “AlbertvilleCity Schools totally revised their school board policies for thefirst time in more than 20 years. The service provided by theAlabama Association of School Boards was highly efficient.Our policies were streamlined and the whole process was veryuser friendly. I have been through many policy revisions in dif-ferent school systems, and this was by far the easiest one Ihave done.”

Five school systems — Hoover, Albertville and Selma cities,along with Madison and Shelby counties — contracted withAASB in 2009 to take this important step to ensure sound boardgovernance. The finished product for boards is a simplified pol-icy manual that helps translate philosophical principles intosound day-to-day decision making while minimizing overall lia-bility that may be created by policies themselves. In addition, areview recognizes distinctions between true policy matters andother administrative and regulatory directives.

w TECHNOLOGY

The year after an independent assessment of AASB’s

existing technology infrastructure was completed,

the association has implemented a significant number

of the recommendations to maximize effectiveness, efficiency and service

delivery through the use of technology. AASB took a number of steps

to leverage technology in a way that streamlines staff functions



Guest speaker Carl Johnson (left) meets with attendees at the AASB Spring Conference, which

included a popular session on AASB’s policy review and analysis.

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Pages

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4MARK YOUR CALENDAR

OCTOBER 200925-26 AASB Core Academy

ConferenceRenaissance Montgomery Hotel

Montgomery

DECEMBER 20093 AASB Leadership II

Wynfrey Hotel, Birmingham

3-5 AASB Annual ConventionWynfrey Hotel, Birmingham

Call 877/796-3922, code 1ATSKIL

JANUARY 201011-February 18

AASB District Meetings

12 Legislature Convenes in Regular Session

29-31 National School Boards Association Leadership ConferenceWashington, D.C.

31-February 2

NSBA Federal Relations Network ConferenceWashington, D.C.

MARCH 201019 AASB “Early Bird”Workshop

Wynfrey Hotel, Birmingham

19-20 AASB Core Academy ConferenceWynfrey Hotel, Birmingham n

appropriate for the board to “hear” a case, and it is usually after otheravenues are exhausted. Let the process work. In some extreme cases, yourinvolvement at the wrong time could keep the board from rendering a legitimate decision or open the school system to potential legal liability.

Likewise, when approached by someone you know — a friend,coworker, neighbor or political supporter — be very careful not to com-mit to voting a certain way. You should always vote your conscience andmake decisions based on what you believe is best for the children in yourschool system, but only after hearing all sides.

You also shouldn’t have your own hidden agenda. I have known peo-ple who have sought a seat on their local board to achieve some task —fire the superintendent or get their brother-in-law a job as football coach.It becomes apparent to most after a short time that the job involves muchmore than your issue.

One way to deal with hidden-agenda or one-agenda board members isfor the board to establish goals for the school system (and the board),which become the driving force for the system. The more the boardfocuses on goals and leaves administration alone, the less disruption a“lone-wolf” can cause.

9. Revealing Confidential Issues Most states have restrictions on what can be discussed in executive ses-

sion. It is important that the board members all understand the laws andtheir intention. You are entrusted to do the work of the public — watch-ing over their schools and their children. Except for a few clearly definedexceptions, the public has a right to watch the board fulfill its obligations.You should be doing most of your work under public scrutiny. In the end,this builds credibility and trust.

When the board is in executive session, every board member should beready to interrupt at any time when the discussion strays from “privileged”information to something that should be discussed in public. Likewise, itis highly unethical and sometimes illegal for board members to divulge thecontents of the closed session to outsiders, whether members of the pressor others. Doing so could open up the system to lawsuits or civil penal-ties. Sometimes it isn’t intentional, but that is not a suitable answer for vio-lating this trust.

10. Putting the Board Above FamilyAs important as serving on a board of education is, never forget what

is most important! I have seen board members lose their jobs, their fami-lies and their homes because they spent so much energy on the board. Itis easy to do.

While there is something incredibly noble about serving on behalf ofchildren, remember that there are others who serve with you and othermembers of the community who will also help. You don’t have to do itall. Your obligation to the board is important, and you should carry your weight. But, learn to say no to non-critical requests for your time. When your tenure on the board is completed, you still need a lifeto go back to. n

Reprinted with permission from Nicholas D. Caruso Jr., who serves the Connecticut Association of

Boards of Education as senior staff associate for field services. Contact him at [email protected].

10 Mistakes Board Members Shouldn’t Make

Continued from page 15


u Barron: I think that we have to give Alabama a pretty highgrade. We have to keep in mind that we are a poor state. We’renot one of the more affluent states. However, we’ve madegreat progress in the last 10 or so years as far as the automo-bile industry and the steel industry. The economy in our statehas improved significantly over the last few years.

We do a very good job at supporting education from thestate level. I am not sure that we do as well at the local levelas we could or should. So, I would give us an overall gradeat the state level of funding of B+; at the county and locallevel, I’d say that we’re probably a C+. We could do betterlocally. But, at the state level, we’re doing pretty well. Con-sequently, we’ve seen great strides in education. Oftentimes,we hear people criticizing education. And, I think back to myelementary, junior high and high school days, and we arelight-years ahead in education compared to where we werewhen I went to public schools in Alabama. So, from personalexperience, I think we’ve made great strides. That doesn’tmean that we can rest on our laurels. We’ve got much moreto do, but we’re headed in the right direction.

s Brown: In my teaching years, we had a chalkboard and chalkand a textbook, and I had taught for several years before Iever realized that they made a teacher’s edition of the text-book, which made my teaching a whole lot easier.

What advice would you give school board members whowant to work with their lawmakers as the local voice for K-12?

u Barron: I would just encourage them to contact their lawmak-ers either by telephone or a small handwritten note and toattend public meetings where the legislators are and expressthe views that they have about public education. Most legis-lators I know are very receptive to their constituents, andschool boards are a very important part of the educationprocess and very important to legislators as a source of infor-mation. Just be persistent and present those views in whateverforum — it could be e-mails or handwritten notes. I person-ally like small handwritten notes. I do not like bundles andbundles of pre-filled out cards. After I read one, I throw all therest of them away. Those are a very ineffective way to influ-ence people.

s Brown: Do you have a lot of contact from school board mem-bers and from teachers requesting various things in your dis-trict?

u Barron: I have a lot of contact from teachers, and the schoolboard members are quite active. They could be more activeand assert themselves. But, oftentimes, they do that throughthe superintendent’s office. Superintendents are, I’d say, moreactive in their contacts than our school board members, butthey are reflecting the will of their board that they serve andwork with. So, when a superintendent calls or contacts me, Itake that to be the position of the school board, and he’sspeaking for the group.

s Brown: Is there a message that you would like to send to localschool board members across the state?

u Barron: Well, the message is to continue what you’re doing.You are doing a good job as a very important team member inthe education process, and the education process, as youknow, is a team effort. They often say it takes a community toraise a child, and I think that is true. But the school boardmembers, the teachers and education, in general, must fit atthe very top of that community list of people it requires to raisea child. So, just keep your voice loud and clear promoting pub-lic education. Public education has been the future of ourcountry since its founding, and it will continue to be the futurefor this great country.

s Brown: On behalf of the Alabama Association of SchoolBoards, I want to thank you for taking time out of your busyschedule to allow me to interview you. And I would like toclose the interview by asking you what local school boardscan do to help make your job easier?

u Barron: That’s a great question, Brenda. Really, I think youalready do that, and I touched on that earlier, by making yourviews known to me and to legislators. Most of you do it pri-marily through the superintendents. On all the bills you men-tioned — school start date, on extracurricular participation byprivate school students — superintendents traveled to Mont-gomery more than once to meet with me and other delega-tion members to express the view of the school board mem-bers that they serve and work with.

Just continuing to do what you do now provides us withthe tools and information to help us make better decisionsabout what the local people wish for when it comes to theirlocal school systems. We’re making real progress. I see itevery day, every year. We just need to continue the coursethat we’re on, in my opinion, and try to do it even better. Inother words, we can do it with more zest and more zeal andmore enthusiasm. Be more vigilant.

s Brown: Thank you for being so receptive. I’ve called on youmany times, and I thank you for your helpfulness.

u Barron: I treasure your friendship and what you have meantto education. Think of the lives you’ve touched as a teacher,as a school board member and as a trusted citizen. JacksonCounty is better off because we’ve had Brenda Brown. n

Face to Face: Sen. Lowell Barron

Continued from page 11

“I believe with very poor children,

particularly, if we can capture

their little minds when they are young, we have a

chance to salvage those youngsters and direct them on

a more positive course in life. Pre-K is the place where

I think we can make that intervention and be more

successful in producing productive citizens.”


and to help the association achieve its mission of developingexcellent leaders through quality advocacy, training and serv-ices. Among the technology issues addressed in 2009 were protection against electronic vulnerabilities and security threats,off-site storage of backup tapes, software and equipmentupgrades and improved communication and print publicationprocesses.

w COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING

This was a noteworthy year for AASB’s communications and market-

ing efforts. The Alabama Association of School Boards has received a

2009 National School Public Relations Association Award of Merit for

Alabama School Boards magazine and is the only recipient of NSPRA’s

2009 Branding/Image Packaging Award of Excellence.

AASB redesigned its magazinefor a fresh look and to capturestate, local and national trends inshort news briefs and to address avariety of education issues andboardmanship how-to’s of inter-est to our members. The modernredesign fits neatly into AASB’sstrategic efforts. Strategic publicrelations planning and cost-saving measures resulted inAASB shrinking the number ofAlabama School Boards maga-zines produced each year from

six to four. The quarterly, 32-page color/spot color magazine has more depth and variety of news, including national newsbriefs, interviews of state education leaders and pieces written by education experts.

Rebranding has included a new exterior sign at the associa-tion’s headquarters, use of AASB’s logo and/or colors on pub-lications and greater visibility on the Web. The association evensaw an increase in Web traffic at www.AlabamaSchoolBoards.

o rg. In the 2009 fiscal year, the site had nearly 50,000 visits,about 130,000 page views and more than 700,000 hits.

The association continued production of its twice-monthlystate board recap, FYI, and the weekly legislative session sum-maries in the Leg-Alert newsletter. Court Report, the association’sreview of education-related judicial and legal decisions, re-launched in 2009 after a brief hiatus.

A new survey tool in 2009 means AASB can run analytics onsurveys to quickly and more easily gauge members’ opinions.The software is also used to produce AASB’s electronic FYInewsletter and to efficiently send out event and news alerts to

members and the media. One survey, which proved useful interms of AASB’s position on proration, asked members to helpthe association determine which areas of education fundingneeded the most protection. The survey results were helpful inencouraging the state Legislature to protect teaching positions.AASB has the ability to reach more than 1,700 contacts by e-mail.

In 2009, the Alabama Association of School Boards launchedlistservs for school board attorneys, school board presidents andthe school board policy network. The listservs have nearly 400users and provide a sounding board and online gathering placefor these groups.

• Virtual Magazine and Board Member Recognition Month

Using free software, AASB has also redesigned its onlinemagazines to make viewing look and feel very much like virtually turning pages. There is an option on the magazinearchives page at AlabamaSchoolBoards.org to download themagazine or to read it online. Hard copies are still sent to current AASB members, the Alabama Council of School BoardAttorneys and others.

In January 2009 and for the first time, AASB posted its BoardMember Recognition Month materials online only. Even certif-icates could be customized using editable PDFs. The moveresulted in savings of printing and mailing costs, though memoswere still mailed to inform principals and others about the ready-to-use, customizable online Board Member Recognition Monthmaterials.

• Stars in Education

The Alabama Association of School Boards’ name was attached to the Alabama Teacher of the Year and AlabamaPublic Television Student Heroes broadcast that was shown livein 2009 on APT. The “Stars in Education” broadcast honored2009 Alabama Teacher of the Year Yung Thi Bui-Kincer of



Speaker Harvey Alston mingles with representatives from AASB Professional Sustaining Member

Southland Internation


Montgomery County. AlabamaElementary Teacher of the Yearand alternate to Bui-Kincer wasShannon Finley of CalhounCounty. AASB participates eachyear in the awards program byproviding state and district level

judges. Bui-Kincer will address AASB at the association’s annualconvention in December 2009.

Grantsw GOVERNING FOR ACHIEVEMENT

In January 2009, the Alabama Association of School Boards launched

its Governing for Achievement Project funded in part through a $60,000

state Department of Education grant to help boards develop a clear

student improvement agenda. The two-year project that continues

through March 2011 engages eight school boards — six grant-

funded sites and two self-funded boards also underwritten by AASB —

in extensive training on research-based school board governance prac-

tices proven to lead to high-level student performance and reengaged

communities. The innovative pioneers of the project are the boards of

education in Brewton, Muscle Shoals, Tarrant, Cullman, Madison

County, Elmore County, Montgomery County and Perry County.

Participating systems are undergoing an 11-module, multi-session training program. Though governance teams are thekey component of the work, the project brings in the thoughtsand ideas of administrators, principals and teachers within theschool system to begin a process of improving the conditionsfor student success. The project also emphasizes the need for clear expectations, accountability, team learning and publicsupport for what it takes to ensure all students perform at high levels.

Research that results from the project will inform the contentof AASB’s School Board Member Academy, as well as custom-ized full-board sessions now available on Governing for HigherStudent Achievement.

AASB has not only partnered with the state Department ofEducation on this effort, but with the School Superintendents ofAlabama and the A+ Education Partnership’s Best Practices Cen-ter. Representatives of these entities and participating boardleaders serve on a 14-member team that monitors progress. Theachievement project is aligned with state education departmentstandards, which allows licensed superintendents, administra-tors and teachers to receive credit toward professional learning

units. School board members who participate earn AASB acad-emy hours. The project uses research based on the Iowa SchoolBoards Association Lighthouse study, which has expanded itsresearch into Alabama and other states.

w PRE-K AND SCHOOL READINESS

The National School Boards Association

and the Center for Public Education was

awarded a Pew Grant to promote the

value of high-quality pre-K education

as a method to increase school readiness. AASB became one of two new

states to join the grant program. The two-year grant provides $25,000

each year to fund implementation of AASB’s state plan.

The plan includes action steps to create awareness. In 2009,AASB members saw pre-K incorporated in conferences andclinic sessions. AASB’s Executive Director Sally Howell pre-sented Many Happy Returns: The School Boards’ Role in Pre-Kat the Alabama Pre-Kindergarten Conference this past April.Additionally, AASB co-hosted a Pre-K Advocacy Forum withmore than 140 attendees in conjunction with the event. Howellalso participated in a Pre-K Network session during theNational School Boards Association Annual Conference. NSBAand the Center for Public Education formed the network thanksto its two-year $447,000 grant from The Pew Charitable Trusts— a grant that also funds AASB’s pre-K efforts. In addition to newest members AASB and the Kentucky School BoardsAssociation, the network includes the state school board associations in Kansas, Ohio and Texas.

Alabama School Boards magazine began an ongoing seriesfeaturing pre-K articles, and AASB hosts a forum for pre-K partners monthly in its offices. School board members haveembraced working with the Office of School Readiness housedwithin the state Department of Children’s’ Affairs to promoteAlabama’s premier and nationally recognized “First Class” Pre-K program. AASB continues to work to create a climate ofreadiness for expanded access to quality pre-K programs forAlabama’s children.

w COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Last year’s core academy course, Leadership for CommunityEngagement, was partially funded by a grant from The DanielsFoundation of Alabama. The grant was used to help schoolboard members develop skills to improve the community’simage of public schools by engaging the public better. The Fall AASB Conference theme was “Beyond Image: BuildingCommunity Support for Student Success.” n


2008-2009 Annual ReportAASB congratulates

2009 Alabama

Teacher of the

Year Yung Thi

Bui-Kincer of

Montgomery

County.

School Board

Calhoun County Board of Education

Hometown

Anniston

A Board Member

For 2 1/2 years

Books at Bedside

The Bible and The Shack, The End of Religion, Season of Life, and I’d recommend Parenting Isn’t For Cowards by James Dobson.

Inspiration

My passion is to see the Bible restored as an electiveliterature course in every Alabama high school. The Bible in History and Literature is now a textbook,and we’re seeing the course taught in about 20 schoolsnow that we know of.

Motto as a Board Member

I want to see students achieve their dreams.

Walter Mitty Fantasy

My dream would be to pay a visit to all the schools in the state and challenge the students to get high grades with high morals.

Advice to New Board Members

Keep learning. Don’t get so smart that you can’t learnsomething.

Greatest Accomplishment as a Board Member

That we love each other. I know that’s not a typicalanswer, but the joy I have is that even if I share a perspective that may not be the way everyone elsesees it, they’re going to listen to it with respect.

Pet Peeve as a Board Member

I’ve backed away from expressing my heart beforebecause I didn’t necessarily feel everyone else was leaning that way. I just respect and admire people who express their position and stand by it regardless.

Reason I Like Being an AASB Member

AASB reminds me of the reason I like serving on theboard. I have a chance to influence a lot of kids’ livesthat I’ll probably never meet or know, but the decisionswe make are going to resound across their lifetimes.

My Epitaph

He did everything he could to make school a greatplace to be. n


AT THE TABLEBy Eve Harmon

Phillip Murphy

Q.I hear that locker and parking fees may be used for

classroom support. Is that true?

A.The state Department of Education has determined that

high school student parking fees may be used for any public

educational purpose, including classroom instructional

support. That’s contrary to previous guidance from the

department, which limited the parking fees to parking-

related costs such as decals and parking lots.

The department also advises that schools with significant

balances of unobligated, unspent locker fees as of June 30

may transfer those to public funds for classroom instructional

support if those funds exceed allowable uses for locker rental

fees. Allowable locker expenses include locker maintenance

costs and amortizing the costs of locks and lockers that the

school has purchased.

Locker rental fee rates per student, notes the SDE, should

be adjusted to an amount that would accumulate only the

funds needed to pay for allowable locker expenses. For more

information, contact Dennis Heard at 334/242-9747 or Sonja

Peaspanen at 334/353-9886.

—Denise L. Berkhalter

Help.

Alabama No. 1 in Increasing AP Exam-TakersAlabama boasts the greatest one-year percentage increase in number

of Advanced Placement exam-takers and number of exams given than any

other state. From 2008 to 2009, the number of AP exam-takers increased

24.5 percent, compared to 7.5 percent in public schools nationwide. The

number of 3-5 scores grew 21.1 percent (9.4 percent nationwide), second

only to the District of Columbia.

Alabama's minority enrollment in AP courses increased dramatically (113

percent in pilot schools), according to Raising Rigor, Getting Results, a report

from the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices. Alabama

is one of six pilot states in the NGA effort to expand AP participation. Thanks to

a $13.2 million National Math and Science Initiative grant in 2008, Alabama's

A+ College Ready program implemented an AP pilot in eight schools in Jeffer-

son County and four in Montgomery County. Three Alabama high schools are

participating in Laying the Foundation, the pre-AP component of the project.

In 2009-10, Laying the Foundation teacher training will be provided to

all sixth-11th grade pre-AP teachers in the middle schools that feed into

participating high schools. A+ College Ready is also expanding to three

additional school systems: Huntsville, Madison County and Birmingham.

Jefferson Davis High School in Montgomery will also be added to bring the

total number of A+ College Ready schools to 23.

Sources: Alabama Education News, September 2009 edition, and A+ College Ready


• Aho Architects LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hoover, AL 205/313-6345

• Alabama Beverage Association . . . . . . . . Montgomery, AL 334/263-6621

• Alabama Gas Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Birmingham, AL 205/326-8425

• Alabama Supercomputer Authority . . . . Montgomery, AL 334/832-2405

• Almon Associates Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tuscaloosa, AL 205/349-2100

• American Fidelity Assurance . . . . . . . . . . . Birmingham, AL 205/987-0950

or 800/365-3714

• Barganier Davis Sims Architects . . . . . . . Montgomery, AL 334/834-2038

• BlueCross BlueShield of Alabama . . . . . . Birmingham, AL 205/220-5771

• Christian Testing Labs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Montgomery, AL 334/264-4422

• Council of Alabama . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Birmingham, AL 205/841-2653

Coca-Cola Bottlers Inc.

• Construction Program Management . . . Birmingham, AL 205/834-8454

• Davis Architects Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Birmingham, AL 205/322-7482

• Ellis Architects Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tuscaloosa, AL 205/752-4420

• Energy Systems Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Helena, AL 205/994-0490

• Fibrebond . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Minden, LA 318/377-1030

• Gallet & Associates Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Birmingham, AL 205/942-1289

• Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood Inc. . . . . . . Montgomery,AL 334/271-3200

Birmingham, AL 205/879-4462

Mobile, AL 251/460-4006

Huntsville, AL 256/533-1484

• Hecht Burdeshaw Architects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Opelika, AL 334/826-8448

• Hoar Program Management . . . . . . . . . . . Birmingham, AL 205/803-2121

• Information Transport Solutions, Inc. . . . . . Wetumpka, AL 334/567-1993

• Interquest Detection Canines . . . . . . . . . . . . Demopolis, AL 334/341-7763

• JMJ Architecture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Anniston, AL 256/820-6844

• JH Partners Architecture/Interiors . . . . . . . . Huntsville, AL 256/539-0764

• Johnson Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Huntsville, AL 256/217-2800

• Kelly Services Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dothan, AL 334/673-7136

• KHAFRA Engineers, Architects . . . . . . . . . Birmingham, AL 205/252-8353

and Construction Managers

• KPS Group Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Birmingham, AL 205/458-3245

• Krebs Architecture & Engineering . . . . . . Birmingham, AL 205/987-7411

• Lathan Associates Architects PC . . . . . . . . Birmingham, AL 205/879-9110

• M.B. Kahn Construction Co. Inc. . . . . . . . . . . Huntsville, AL 803/360-3527

• McKee & Associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Montgomery, AL 334/834-9933

Architecture and Design

• Osborn & Associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Huntsville, AL 256/534-3516

• Payne & Associates Architects . . . . . . . . . Montgomery, AL 334/272-2180

• PH&J Architects Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Montgomery, AL 334/265-8781

• PPM Consultants Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Spanish Fort, AL 251/990-9025

• SACS CASI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Montgomery, AL 334/244-3163

• Sain Associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Birmingham, AL 205/940-6420

• School Reach Instant Parent Contact . . . . . . . Fenton, MO 800/420-1479

• Seay, Seay & Litchfield P.C. . . . . . . . . . . . . Montgomery, AL 334/263-5162

• Sherlock Smith & Adams Inc. . . . . . . . . . Montgomery, AL 334/263-6481

• Siemens Building Technologies Inc. . . . . . . . . .Pelham, AL 205/403-8388

• SKT Architects P.C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Huntsville, AL 256/533-6617

• Southland International Bus Sales . . . . . Birmingham, AL 888/844-1821

• 2WR/Holmes Wilkins Architects Inc. . . . Montgomery, AL 334/263-6400

• TAC Energy Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Birmingham, AL 205/970-6132

• Thompson Engineering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mobile, AL 251/666-2443

• Transportation South . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pelham, AL 205/663-2287

• Evan Terry Associates PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Birmingham, AL 205/972-9100

• Volkert & Associates Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mobile, AL 334/432-6735


Professional Sustaining Members

APartnershipThat Works!AASB appreciates these professional members for supporting association activities and you all year long.

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

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Montgomery, ALPermit No. 34


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