March 20, 2012 Headlines A News Report for Michigan Education Leaders Superintendent evaluation tool based on requirements of law, including requirement for teacher evaluations

ASB is pleased to provide a evaluations, here are some lessons room that matters. new superintendent evalua- from the March issue of the American • Measure student engagement. tionM tool that's based on the evalua- School Board Journal that can help Teachers who initiate and sustain tion requirements of Section 1249 of guide you: student engagement are those the Revised School Code. Not only • Know what and how to evaluate. who are helping students learn. does the law require school boards to You must have a map that defines As the American School Board Jour- annually evaluate their superinten- what teacher effectiveness looks nal writes, “policymakers and teach- dent’s job performance taking into like. account student data, but also teacher • It’s all about student learning. If Evaluation, continued on page 10 evaluations. Developing a teacher students aren’t learning, nothing evaluation tool and completing evalu- else matters. ations for all teachers and adminis- • Measure teaching. Teachers must trators must be considered as part of be observed. It’s not who teach- your superintendent evaluation. ers are or what their backgrounds As your district considers its teacher are, but what they do in the class- Strategic leader appointed to MASB Board

t the recent meeting of the memberships in many state and MASB Board of Directors, the national organizations and has been inside this issue: BoardA voted to appoint Tim Detwiler, involved at the local, state and national Northview Public Schools to fill the levels. Senate bill will stifle school vacancy representing Region 3. Tim sought this position to use construction for 30 years...... 3 Tim is an experienced board leader his experience and knowledge to Districts may soon wave goodbye to having held the help boards of education in their seat-time waivers ...... 4 positions of governance role and to work for the board president, good of all Michigan communities. Tool provides best practice guidance vice president “It’s my passion to assist boards of for layoff and recall...... 5 and legislative education in their decision-making Board members conquer challenge to liaison on his responsibilities,” said Tim. become more effective...... 6 local board. Tim In addition to welcoming a new has achieved the member to the team, the Board also Use best practices to avoid fatal Master Platinum said goodbye to a long-time director, flaws in strategic planning . . . . . 10 Tim Detwiler Award in MASB’s whose term ended. Earl Rickman III, Northview certification Mount Clemens Community School Public Schools program and has District, served MASB since 1996. At Download a Smartphone app written about and the time of his election in 1984, Earl to scan the QR code and learn presented on assessment, curriculum was the youngest person to be elected more about MASB. development and institutional to the Mount Clemens Board. research. Committed to his own Earl is very active in many continuous development, he holds Appointment, continued on page 4 NoW ACCEpTiNg AppliCATioNS!

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2 www.masb.org • MASB Headlines • March 20, 2012 Legislative Update Senate bill will stifle school construction for 30 years Puts students in outdated and unsafe buildings

he Senate Appropriations age rate to a school district based tained by the legislature; capping Committee took testimony this on their belief as to whether borrowing violates the constitu- weekT from supporters of SBs 770, 771, a district will have difficulties tional provision that requires the 772 and 870. These bills, sponsored paying off their loan on time. state to lend to districts for the by Sen. John Pappageorge (R-Troy), This includes districts already in purpose of school construction. amend the School Loan Revolving the fund with bonds that passed • Limits refunding or refinancing Fund (SLRF) in an attempt to stop years ago. This authority could of bonds. Even though this nor- so-called “abuse” by districts. A more result in significant tax increases mally saves taxpayers dollars and accurate depiction of these bills is to property owners without a causes loans to be paid earlier that they’re meant to end any state vote, and in many cases, rates than expected, Treasury wants to assistance for school infrastructure. based on flawed taxable value limit this area by imposing pos- We’re already one of only eight states tables that Treasury uses. sible millage changes on districts. that offer no direct subsidy for school • Impacts jobs. School construc- infrastructure and this would further Michigan is already one of tion in Michigan creates nearly reduce our assistance to nearly zero. only eight states that offer no 50,000 jobs each year and by Our current system is helping more direct subsidy for school ending borrowing in the fund than 130 districts by keeping their infrastructure and this legislation plus creating higher millages, millages at an affordable level for vot- would further reduce our it’s expected that the number of ers. More than 300 districts also use assistance to nearly zero. construction projects will see a the fund to qualify their projects so precipitous decline. they can borrow at the state’s higher • Allows Treasury to use taxable • Prevents districts from reenter- bond rating. The districts using the value tables that will result in ing the fund for five years after fund change regularly as some dis- millage failure or unnecessarily repayment. This means that many tricts pay off loans/bonds and others high millage rates. The language districts would only have access pass new bonds. allows Treasury to use taxable to the SLRF once every 41 years; There are a number of elements value tables from the past five clearly insufficient to meet the about the legislation that should con- years as the indicator for what construction needs of districts. cern schools: millage will be needed for a 30 This legislation will relegate many • Caps total borrowing in the fund year bond. Based on the taxable districts to outdated and unsafe build- at $1.8 billion. This would close value data for many districts, this ings that aren’t appropriate for our the fund to additional borrowers would result in a declining tax- school children. Please contact your in about two years, and remain able value rate for the 30 years of Senators and urge them to oppose this closed to borrowing for 30 years. a bond and a higher than needed package of bills. We may not have a This will prevent a number of millage rate. Using five years of perfect system in Michigan, but this districts from constructing much negative growth as a projection isn’t the solution. Ask them to support needed buildings or result in sub- for 30 years is just poor public creating a legislative taskforce to look stantial tax increases for voters policy that will prevent many at best practices in other states and that approve millages. school districts from building. come up with an appropriate solution. • Allows Treasury to dictate mill- • Violates Michigan’s Constitution. For questions, contact Don Wotruba, age rate through the life of a The bills transfer authority to the [email protected], 517.327.5912 or bond. This will give Treasury the Department of Treasury when Peter Spadafore, pspadafore@masb. authority to dictate a new mill- the fund is meant to be main- org, 517.327.5913. www.masb.org • MASB Headlines • March 20, 2012 3 Districts may soon wave goodbye to seat-time waivers

t’s expected that the House In order to qualify for the new al- changes will proposed to the legisla- Education Committee will pass lowance, each online course or other tion as work on the details continues. HBI 5392 on March 22. Rep. Margaret credit-bearing activity must meet all MASB will work with House and O’Brien (R-Portage) introduced the of the following: Senate leadership, as well as the bill legislation after several districts in the 1. Be facilitated by a highly qualified sponsor. state testified in front of the House teacher. Education Committee on the limita- 2. Be approved by the district’s tions of the current seat-time waiver board of education or directors. process. Although this is the first step 3. Generate credit toward the pu- of many, it seems the bill is on a fast pil’s high school diploma or grade track, at least in the House. progression. The intent of the legislation is to 4. Must be aligned with the Michi- allow for more flexibility in allowing gan Grade Level Content Expec- districts to offer online and blended tations or the Michigan Merit learning options. Curriculum. When the bill was originally intro- Students enrolled in the aforemen- Appointment, from front page duced, it eliminated the requirement tioned program must construct a that days and hours be calculated in schedule that details the credits antici- civic, social, political, fraternal online instructional delivery. MASB pated to be earned. These schedules organizations, and other activities flagged this as very problematic be- must be developed in consultation in his local community as well as cause it presented enormous potential with a mentor or a school counselor. state and national boards. He earned for error and abuse. Rep. O’Brien is These schedules must be kept up-to- numerous awards and recognition very eager to listen to concerns from date and available for inspection by for outstanding community service. the education community and con- the pupil accounting auditor within For the past several years, Earl vened a special work group to discuss five business days. has held an ex-officio seat on the their issues with the legislation. MASB In order to evaluate progress, the Board as a result of his service as an has actively participated in the meet- program shall use the following aca- officer at the National School Boards ings of this work group. demic measures (as appropriate): Association (NSBA). Earl is about to In the end it was determined that 1. Grade-appropriate MEAP complete his year as past president a seat-time waiver process needed to assessments. of NSBA. Earl is a great advocate for stay in place, but that changes to the 2. The Michigan Merit Exam. children and a collaborative leader. application of the waiver needed to 3. The Mi-ACCESS assessment. During his term as president of be implemented. It’s argued that there The district, PSA or ISD must offer NSBA, his theme was Teamwork. are upcoming changes in education to provide the appropriate resources Dreamwork. Together we can. delivery and models that we haven’t for the student to complete the course MASB extends its deepest even thought of (could you imagine including broadband Internet access, gratitude to Earl for his dedication the word iPad being in the educa- a computer, tuition and any necessary to board governance and student tion lexicon only five years ago?). software. achievement in our state and across The group determined that this type The bill also would dictate that any the nation. of uncertainty warranted a system seat-time waiver that has been ap- MASB would also like to thank of approval. However, a change was proved for the 2011-12 school year Anita Osterman, former board inserted in the bill that would codify would remain in effect unless the dis- member at Fremont Public Schools, in law the Michigan Department of trict violates the Pupil Accounting and for her more than five years of Education’s practice of granting waiv- Auditing Manuals, or state law. service to the association. During ers for approved online and blended Again, this legislation is expected to her tenure Anita was committed to learning programs to avoid applying pass the House Education Committee helping boards operate efficiently. for a waiver for a proven method of on Thursday, and then move to the full Anita’s term ended following the loss delivery and instruction. House soon. It’s possible that many of her local election.

4 www.masb.org • MASB Headlines • March 20, 2012 Tool provides best practice guidance for layoff and recall

ast year’s enactment of sections tie breaker. As stated in section 1248 ing layoff and recall decisions, school 1248 and 1249 of the Revised of the Revised School Code, this “pol- boards and administrators should SchoolL Code presents boards and ad- icy shall ensure that a teacher who has consult with their retained legal coun- ministrators with significant challenges been rated as ineffective. . .is not given sel or other qualified counsel. regarding the procedures for conduct- any preference that would result in that You’ll find the Layoff and Recall ing the layoff and recall of teachers. teacher being retained over a teacher document in the Human Resources In essence, section 1248 eliminates who is evaluated as minimally effective, Tab/Documents and Manuals section the “last in, first out” layoff policy effective, or highly effective . . . .” of the ERIN site, free to all members and now requires school boards and As a guide to help you comply with of MASB. ERIN subscribers get even administrators to base their deci- these requirements, MASB’s Legal more exclusive access to settlement sions on retaining effective teachers as Counsel Brad Banasik developed a reports, health care plan comparisons, determined by the score administra- sample layoff and recall procedure. job descriptions, graphing tools and tors give them on evaluations. Section It contains section 1248’s list of ef- other resources to help you reach the 1248 prohibits administrators from fectiveness factors to consider while best settlement for your district and using seniority and tenure status as conducting evaluations and incor- employees. Call today for an online factors in considering the effectiveness porates section 1249’s rating scale of demonstration of how ERIN can help of each teacher. However, if a layoff highly effective, effective, minimally save your district two valuable re- decision involves two or more teach- effective and ineffective. Please note sources—time and money. ers and all other effectiveness factors that this is merely a sample procedure. For more information, contact distinguishing those teachers from It shouldn’t be interpreted or used as Brad Banasik, 517.327.5929, Tom each other are equal, then seniority or a substitute for a legal opinion from White, 517.327.5928 or Eric Griggs, tenure status may be considered as a retained legal counsel. Before mak- 517.327.5914.

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© 2012 United HealthCare Services, Inc. Insurance coverage provided by or through UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or its affiliates. Administrative services provided by United HealthCare Services, Inc. or their affiliates. Health Plan coverage provided by or through a UnitedHealthcare company. UHCMI575018-000 www.masb.org • MASB Headlines • March 20, 2012 5 Board members conquer challenge to become more effective ongratulations to the hundreds encouraged to achieve; and four maintain Level 5, earning them the of board members across members earned the President’s Master Diamond Board Award. theC state who earned awards in our Award of Recognition—MASB’s “Board members genuinely care Certified Boardmember Awards highest individual honor. about kids and always seek to be (CBA) program in 2011. MASB also honors whole boards informed of the best ways to lead Last year more than 1,000 board for their achievement as a governance their districts,” said Angela Kanazeh, members participated in the CBA team, which is more difficult as it CBA program manager. program; 234 earned awards; 91 requires the entire board to maintain Kudos to each of this year’s award earned CBA certification—the at least CBA certification. One winners. Click here to learn more basic level all board members are board, Genesee ISD, had all members about the levels of achievement.

Certified Boardmember Award Lakeview Public Schools, Michael McCain Albion Public Schools, Shawnette Spicer Lawton Community Schools, Walter Hitchcock Allegan Public Schools, Mary Kasprzyk Livonia Public Schools, Mark Johnson Allendale Public Schools, Jennifer Coffey Marquette Public Schools, Laura Songer Atherton Community Schools, Donald Embury Milan Area Schools, Eric Peacock Bendle Public Schools, David Love Milan Area Schools, Janice Kiger Branch ISD, Lynn Mayer Mount Clemens Community School District, Brandon School District, LeAnne Schmidt David McFadden Breckenridge Community Schools, Alan Sanger Mt. Morris Consolidated Schools, Gale Frase Brown City Community Schools, Alan Burgess Mt. Morris Consolidated Schools, Thomas Duplanty Capac Community Schools, Dwayne Loper North Branch Area Schools, Ginger Russell Cass City Public Schools, Sloane Stimpfel Northview Public Schools, James Manikowski Cassopolis Public Schools, Jason Pompey Oxford Community Schools, Robert Martin Cassopolis Public Schools, Scott Ward Pinckney Community Schools, George Rogers Jr. Center Line Public Schools, Pamela Grey-Pugliese Plymouth-Canton Community Schools, Nancy Eggenberger Chippewa Hills School District, Douglas Bitler Pontiac School District, Brenda Joyce Carter Clarkston Community Schools, Elizabeth Egan Pontiac School District, Caroll Turpin Corunna Public Schools, Erwin Lenneman Pontiac School District, Mattie McKinney-Hatchett Covert Public Schools, Maxine Jeffries Pontiac School District, Sherman Williams II Crawford AuSable Schools, Wendy Kucharek Portage Public Schools, Randy Van Antwerp Decatur Public Schools, David McLeese Portage Public Schools, Robert Snyder Fitzgerald Public Schools, Lori Eseman-Dreyer Portage Public Schools, Russell Rathburn Flat Rock Community Schools, Amy Carter Portland Public Schools, Linda Hoxie-Green Garden City Public Schools, Darlene Jablonowski Reed City Area Public Schools, Kathy Yost Grand Rapids Public Schools, Kenneth Hoskins Rochester Community Schools, Jennifer Berwick Grosse Ile Schools, Terese Hunter Rochester Community Schools, Lisa Nowak Hartford Public Schools, Timothy Summerhill Sr. Romeo Community Schools, Sara Murray Holton Public Schools, David Stitt Romulus Community Schools, John Thiede Huron Valley Schools, Bonnie Brown Roseville Community Schools, Matthew McCartney Huron Valley Schools, Charles Dittmar II Roseville Community Schools, Ruth Green Huron Valley Schools, Jeffrey Long Saginaw Public Schools , Alexis Thomas Kalkaska Public Schools, John Rogers Saginaw Public Schools, Norman Braddock Kelloggsville Public Schools, Debra Sellers Southfield Public Schools, Betty Robinson Kentwood Public Schools, Pete Battey Southfield Public Schools, Michael Poole Lake Fenton Community Schools, Christopher Fletcher Southfield Public Schools, Nathaniel Lewis Lake Fenton Community Schools, Larry Godlewski Southfield Public Schools, Rance Williams Lake Orion Community Schools, Birgit McQuiston Southfield Public Schools, Yolanda Smith

6 www.masb.org • MASB Headlines • March 20, 2012 Southgate Community Schools, Rebecca Reed-Hall Lake Fenton Community Schools, Larry Godlewski Sparta Area Schools, James Kerby Lawton Community Schools, Toby Fields Suttons Bay Public Schools, Robert Potvin Lawton Community Schools, Walter Hitchcock Swartz Creek Community Schools, Kenneth Engel Lincoln Consolidated Schools, James Paschal Swartz Creek Community Schools, Lorraine Ahearne Lincoln Park Public Schools, Gordon Gilbert Tawas Area Schools, William Britt Livonia Public Schools, Colleen Burton Tecumseh Public Schools, Matt Oren Livonia Public Schools, Mark Johnson Tecumseh Public Schools, Stanley Ames Marquette Public Schools, Laura Songer Van Buren Public Schools, Kevin English Michigan Center Schools, Christopher Roe Van Dyke Public Schools, Eleanor Bates Michigan Center Schools, Rex Blakeman Waterford School District, Robin McGregor Milan Area Schools, Eric Peacock Wayne Westland Community Schools, Andrea Clawson Milan Area Schools, Janice Kiger Wayne Westland Community Schools, John Goci Millington Community Schools, Randy DePottey Wayne Westland Community Schools, Thomas Buckalew Mount Clemens Community School District, Westwood Community School District, Donald Willis David McFadden Westwood Heights Schools, Dana Adkisson Mt. Morris Consolidated Schools, Thomas Duplanty White Pigeon Community Schools, Christie West North Branch Area Schools, Ginger Russell Yale Public Schools, Pete Bullard Northview Public Schools, Alicia Keur Award of Merit Northview Public Schools, James Manikowski Allendale Public Schools, Jennifer Coffey Northview Public Schools, Michael Humble Atherton Community Schools, Donald Embury Oscoda Area Schools, Sherry Clouse Belding Area Schools, Robert Insley Oxford Community Schools, Robert Martin Bendle Public Schools, Deborah Dunsmore Pennfield Schools, Dorothy Dilsaver Branch ISD, Lynn Mayer Pinckney Community Schools, George Rogers Jr. Brown City Community Schools, Alan Burgess Plymouth-Canton Community Schools, Nancy Eggenberger Buena Vista Schools, Tionna Watkins Pontiac School District, Brenda Joyce Carter Cass City Public Schools, Sloane Stimpfel Pontiac School District, Caroll Turpin Cassopolis Public Schools, Jason Pompey Pontiac School District, Mattie McKinney-Hatchett Cassopolis Public Schools, Scott Ward Reed City Area Public Schools, Kathy Yost Center Line Public Schools, Pamela Grey-Pugliese Rochester Community Schools, Jennifer Berwick Chippewa Hills School District, Douglas Bitler Rockford Public Schools, Timothy James Lewis Clarkston Community Schools, Elizabeth Egan Romeo Community Schools, Sara Murray Covert Public Schools, Maxine Jeffries Romulus Community Schools, John Thiede Crawford AuSable Schools, Wendy Kucharek Roseville Community Schools, Matthew McCartney Decatur Public Schools, David McLeese Roseville Community Schools, Ruth Green Fenton Area Public Schools, Richard Des Jardins Saginaw Public Schools, Alexis Thomas Flat Rock Community Schools, Amy Carter Saginaw Public Schools, Norman Braddock Flint Community Schools, David Davenport Saline Area Schools, Charles Lesch Garden City Public Schools, Darlene Jablonowski Southfield Public Schools, Betty Robinson Gladwin Community Schools, Sally Hightower Southfield Public Schools, Michael Poole Grand Rapids Public Schools, Kenneth Hoskins Southfield Public Schools, Nathaniel Lewis Greenville Public Schools, Norice Rasmussen Southfield Public Schools, Rance Williams Grosse Ile Schools, Terese Hunter Southfield Public Schools, Yolanda Smith Hale Area Schools, Karol Shellenbarger Southgate Community Schools, W. Kirk Hayhurst Hartford Public Schools, Ben Chambers Sparta Area Schools, James Kerby Hartland Consolidated Schools, Michelle Hutchinson Swartz Creek Community Schools, Kenneth Engel Holton Public Schools, David Stitt Swartz Creek Community Schools, Lorraine Ahearne Huron Valley Schools, Charles Dittmar II Tecumseh Public Schools, Matt Oren Huron Valley Schools, Sean Carlson Van Dyke Public Schools, Eleanor Bates Kearsley Community Schools, Chad Boggs Waterford School District, Robin McGregor Lake Fenton Community Schools, Christopher Fletcher Wayne Westland Community Schools, Carol Middel www.masb.org • MASB Headlines • March 20, 2012 7 Wayne Westland Community Schools, John Goci Romulus Community Schools, Theresa Beard Wayne Westland Community Schools, Thomas Buckalew South Lake Schools, Ellen Dunn Western School District, Blaine Goodrich Southfield Public Schools, Fern Katz Westwood Community School District, Donald Willis Southgate Community Schools, Darlene Pomponio Westwood Heights Schools, Dana Adkisson St Johns Public Schools, William Tennant Whitehall District Schools, Steven L. Markel Troy School District, Nancy Philippart Wyandotte Public Schools, Dana Browning Wayne Westland Community Schools, Carol Middel Yale Public Schools, Pete Bullard Wayne Westland Community Schools, Shawna Walker Award of Distinction Westwood Heights Schools, Lester Fykes Allendale Public Schools, Christopher Breen Willow Run Community Schools, Kristine Thomas Allendale Public Schools, James Crawley Yale Public Schools, Amanda Zabor Allendale Public Schools, Sheryl Pineiro Master Boardmember Award Armada Area Schools, Cheryl Murray Allendale Public Schools, Meegan Zickus Atherton Community Schools, Sandra Talbot Ann Arbor Public Schools, Susan Baskett Bendle Public Schools, Maureen Holmes Birch Run Area Schools, Allan Pettyplace Branch ISD, Lynn Mayer Cedar Springs Public Schools, Joseph R. Marckini Center Line Public Schools, Henry Newnan Clio Area Schools, Robert Swartwood Center Line Public Schools, Karen Pietrzyk Fitzgerald Public Schools, Elizabeth Smith Clarkston Community Schools, Elizabeth Egan Highland Park Schools, Alma Greer Clarkston Community Schools, Susan Boatman Inkster Public Schools, DeArtriss Richardson Clio Area Schools, Jeffrey C. Drayton Inkster Public Schools, Evelyn Clark Croswell Lexington Schools, Linda France Jackson County ISD, Kevin Tuckey Decatur Public Schools, George Fusko Kelloggsville Public Schools, Timothy Pomorski Fenton Area Public Schools, Nora Kryza Lawton Community Schools, Kathryn Drew Flat Rock Community Schools, James Clements II Madison School District, Martin Kyle Ehinger Godwin Heights Public Schools, Kenneth Hornecker Marion Public Schools, Alicia Michell Grand Haven Area Public Schools, Carl Treutler New Haven Community Schools, Gina Walker Grand Rapids Public Schools, Kenneth Hoskins New Haven Community Schools, Tracy Bonkowski Hanover Horton Schools, Joseph Childs Perry Public Schools, Thomas G. Sego Holton Public Schools, Amy Brookhouse Pine River Area Schools, Roland Schalow Jr. Houghton Lake Community Schools, Thomas Dean Pontiac School District, Brenda Joyce Carter Lake Fenton Community Schools, Kristi Ocenasek Pontiac School District, Caroll Turpin Lake Fenton Community Schools, Sandra Taiariol Dailey Pontiac School District, Karen Cain Lake Shore Public Schools, Shannon Harvey Saginaw ISD, Allan Pettyplace Lake Shore Public Schools, Sharon Bartl Saginaw Public Schools, Mattie Thompson Lakeview School District, Kathleen Moore Saline Area Schools, Lisa Slawson Lamphere Schools, Paul Cavanaugh Southfield Public Schools, Fern Katz L’Anse Creuse Public Schools, Charles Eslinger Southgate Community Schools, Darlene Pomponio L’Anse Creuse Public Schools, Jeffrey DiPascale Wayne Westland Community Schools, Frederick Weaver Mecosta Osceola ISD, Marie Wilkerson Western School District, James Philo Milan Area Schools, Janice Kiger Willow Run Community Schools, Mark Wilde Mt. Morris Consolidated Schools, Jim Rauschenberger Jr. Wyandotte Public Schools, Michael Swiecki Mt. Morris Consolidated Schools, Michael Whalen Wyandotte Public Schools, Robert Kirby Mt. Morris Consolidated Schools, Pam Sprague Master Diamond Award Negaunee Public Schools, Fae Collins Allendale Public Schools, Meegan Zickus Pine River Area Schools, Tom Shook Battle Creek Public Schools, Karen Evans Plainwell Community Schools, Amy Blades Bendle Public Schools, Janis Bugbee Pontiac School District, Brenda Joyce Carter Carman Ainsworth Community Schools, Patrice Hatcher Pontiac School District, Caroll Turpin Clarkston Community Schools, Joan Patterson Potterville Public Schools, Christopher Hampton Grand Blanc Community Schools, Martin James Ray Romulus Community Schools, Danielle Funderburg Jackson County ISD, Kevin Tuckey

8 www.masb.org • MASB Headlines • March 20, 2012 Kenowa Hills Public Schools, Frank Hammond Buena Vista Schools Lake Shore Public Schools, Susan Jamieson Center Line Public Schools L’Anse Creuse Public Schools, Donald Hubler Clarkston Community Schools Lincoln Park Public Schools, Charles Kaminski Fitzgerald Public Schools Morley Stanwood Community Schools, Cyndy Marek Genesee ISD Parchment School District, Nancy Lenz Godwin Heights Public Schools Romulus Community Schools, Robert McLachlan Inkster Public Schools Southfield Public Schools, Darryle Buchanan Kearsley Community Schools Southgate Community Schools, Darlene Pomponio Kelloggsville Public Schools Southgate Community Schools, Edward Gawlik Jr. Lake Fenton Community Schools Unionville Sebewaing Area Schools, Donna Sting Lamphere Schools Westwood Heights Schools, Brenda Battle-Jordan Lincoln Park Public Schools Master Platinum Award Mt. Morris Consolidated Schools Armada Area Schools, Ronald Wandel Pontiac School District Beecher Community Schools, Mary Rankins Rockford Public Schools Ferndale School District, Keith Warnick Romulus Community Schools Fitzgerald Public Schools, Judy Furgal Saginaw ISD Fowlerville Community Schools, Michael Brown Southfield Public Schools Hemlock Public Schools, Dennis McMahan Southgate Community Schools Inkster Public Schools, Ruth Williams Van Buren ISD Inkster Public Schools, Sandra Bullard-Maye Waverly Community Schools Kalamazoo RESA, Delores Myers Westwood Community School District Lincoln Park Public Schools, Mary Corson Standard of Excellence Livingston ESA, Julie Hill Allendale Public Schools Nice School District, Donna Champion Battle Creek Public Schools South Lake Schools, Karla Anderson Bendle Public Schools Southgate Community Schools, Sue Murray Berrien RESA President’s Award of Recognition Buena Vista Schools Godwin Heights Public Schools, Jan Allen Clarkston Community Schools Houghton-Portage Township Schools, Brad Baltensperger Fitzgerald Public Schools Kalamazoo RESA, David Webster Genesee ISD Ypsilanti Public Schools, Floyd Brumfield Godwin Heights Public Schools Advocacy Skills Speciality Lake Fenton Community Schools Bendle Public Schools, Maureen Holmes Lamphere Schools Center Line Public Schools, Dee Lindeman Lincoln Park Public Schools Godwin Heights Public Schools, Kenneth Hornecker Mt. Morris Consolidated Schools Hale Area Schools, Valerie Cryderman Pontiac School District Hemlock Public Schools, Dennis McMahan Rockford Public Schools Inkster Public Schools, James Richardson III Saginaw ISD Lake Shore Public Schools, Sharon Bartl Southfield Public Schools Lincoln Park Public Schools, Charles Kaminski Van Buren ISD Pontiac School District, Brenda Joyce Carter Waverly Community Schools Pontiac School District, Caroll Turpin Westwood Community School District Romulus Community Schools, Danielle Funderburg Distinguished Achievement Award Romulus Community Schools, Theresa Beard Genesee ISD Southgate Community Schools, Darlene Pomponio Godwin Heights Public Schools Honor Board Van Buren ISD Allendale Public Schools Master Board Award Battle Creek Public Schools Genesee ISD Bendle Public Schools Master Diamond Board Award Berrien RESA Genesee ISD www.masb.org • MASB Headlines • March 20, 2012 9 Use best practices to avoid fatal flaws in strategic planning

trategic planning is critical to determination of critical issues; Believing building strategy is a creating a road map to success needs assessment; definition of fast process—Sufficient preparation forS your district. But without expertise roles for key players; education and and review is necessary prior to any in the subject, well-intentioned communication about the plan; work sessions so that key issues can be districts can make mistakes. According development of short- and long- identified and information shared. to MASB’s Director of Leadership term goals and establishment of a While your board may have a Services Karen Cross, “The strategic monitoring process. strategic plan in place, its governance plan is just as important as effective Phase 2: Plan Execution—The practices might not be best suited governance training. Our Systemic plan is put into action through the for success. MASB’s SGTP can help Governance Training Process (SGTP) allocation of resources. your board become a cohesive, high helps boards see the big picture and Phase 3: Plan Review—Constant performing governance team that can improve teamwork and trust.” review of the plan and determination see the “big picture” and be proactive There are three main components of where the district is in relation to threats and challenges identified of best practice strategic planning, to its mission, vision and goals is in your strategic planning. Your according to the Foundation for necessary to ensure success. board will benefit with an improved Community Association Research: Avoiding the following pitfalls can culture, trust and accountability, Phase 1: Plan Development— help improve both process and results: and a renewed focus on student Assessment of the current situation Skipping rigorous analysis—your achievement, which help ensure takes place, as does development district must assess where it is, how effective execution of your plan. of mission and vision statements. competition is changing and where To learn more, contact Karen Cross, Other key parts of this stage include your competitive advantage lies. [email protected], 517.327.5934. STEM Awareness Week March 25-31 ichigan STEM Awareness century economy.” Engaging students encouraged to celebrate the week Week will take place March in these disciplines at an early age with appropriate programs and 25-31M in recognition of the role will increase the likelihood of them activities—and make sure you science, technology, engineering pursuing careers in these growing share your local STEM programs, and math play in our children’s fields in the future. The Senate initiatives and successes. future and the future prosperity of resolution also notes that a STEM For more, visit the Michigan Michigan. As noted in a resolution education will ensure our state’s Afterschool Partnership website for from the Senate, “STEM-related workforce will be better equipped curriculum resources. careers will be pivotal in the 21st for the jobs of tomorrow. You’re

Evaluation, continued from front page ers need to work together to capture As you’re looking at evaluating your priorities of your board, including the best information available about superintendent, be sure he or she is percentage weight for each area and teaching and learning and use that evaluating the teachers in your district guidance to help make your evaluation knowledge to drive instruction.” and that the tool used to do so is con- judgments. The template can be used Here are some general tips about scientious and complies with the law. alone or in conjunction with a facili- employee evaluation to keep in mind: Furthermore, whatever tool is used, tated workshop. Click here to down- • Judge the employee’s work based administrators and those completing load the evaluation template. on defined standards and/or goals. the evaluation must be trained on how • Base evaluation on verifiable re- to use it. A special thanks to MASB Labor sults and first-hand observations. MASB’s evaluation template is Consultant Tom Smith for his signifi- • Allot sufficient time to prepare a another option for districts and can cant contributions to the evaluation thorough evaluation. be customized to meet the evaluation tool.

10 www.masb.org • MASB Headlines • March 20, 2012 MASB Datebook Board Leadership Development News You Can Use • Board President Workshop, March 23, Lansing • Webinar: Paperless Meetings with • The missing element in college-readiness. College-readiness efforts are BoardBook, April 12, 3-4:15 p .m . now directed at populations less likely to apply to, or even consider, higher education. However, an important component of the college-readiness equa- • Webinar: Bullycide/Suicide-How to Take tion is largely overlooked, according to Education Week. To set and achieve Responsibility, April 25, 1-2 p .m . the goal of a college degree, young people must be not only academically and financially prepared, but developmentally prepared. They must be convinced • Urban Conference, May 3, Marriott that college is possible; have clear goals and a sense of self-direction; and be Pontiac at Centerpoint focused and tenacious, even when things get tough. Students already in pos- session of these qualities are much more likely to sign up for college-readiness • Education Excellence Awards, May 9, programs. But those who most need enrichment and preparation often lack Eagle Eye Golf Club ability and inclination to seek support. College-readiness practices and poli- cies must therefore reflect an understanding of young people as individuals, For the most up-to-date details, in particular their critical need to achieve balance between independence and go to www .masb org. or call 800 968. .4627 . a connectedness to others. In helping students build college-going identities, personal motivation, long-term persistence and self-regulation skills, educa- tors can help young people to focus, delay gratification and set and reach Headlines A News Report for Michigan Education Leaders postsecondary goals. But this will require a shift in how educators prepare students for higher education. Programs and services must incorporate non- A publication of the academic components in addition to crucial academic and financial supports Michigan Association of School Boards to prepare students and their families for post-secondary options. Click here Mission Statement for more. To provide quality educational leadership services for all Michigan boards of educa- • Yielding high returns. In a segment on Nightly News, NBC looks at urban tion, and to advocate for student achieve- teacher residencies across the country. Using medical residencies as a model, ment and public education. novice teachers are paid, receive thousands of dollars toward a masters’ 2011-12 MASB Board Officers degree and are paired with veteran mentor teachers. In return, they agree to stay in high-need schools for three to five years. Residencies boast a national President: Burl Ghastin President Elect: Steve Zinger teacher retention rate of 85 percent, far better than the national retention Vice President: Ruth Coppens rate for new teachers; in Denver, Colorado’s Boettcher Teachers Program, the Past President: Gregory Peoples retention rate is 96 percent. Watch the segment. Executive Director Kathy Hayes Communications & PR Director Spotlight Site Jennifer Rogers, MPA, CAE

Opinions and sponsorships expressed in Headlines don’t neces- Views from the Capitol sarily reflect the position of MASB.

Tune in live this Friday, March 23 at 1 p.m. to hear from MASB’s Government Relations staff the latest from Lansing. Don Wotruba and Peter Spadafore will update you on the latest legislation-related news and will provide commentary Contact MASB from their insider perspective to the Legislature. An email will be sent with 800.968.4627 • www.masb.org a link to access the webcast on Friday morning. Space is limited, so join the 517.327.5908 • jrogers@masb .org webcast early. Click the link above for archived webcasts. www.masb.org • MASB Headlines • March 20, 2012 11 Worth Repeating Questions to ask politicians about education By Diane Ravitch, excerpted from On Board, New York State School Boards Association March 12, 2012

1. Both Republican candidates and charters and virtual academies make where 25 percent of the students were President Obama are enamored of millions for their sponsors yet get ter- poor scored the same as the interna- charter schools—that is, schools that rible results for their students? tional leaders Finland, Japan and Ko- are privately managed and deregulat- 5. Are you concerned that charters rea? Did you know that more than 20 ed. Are you aware that studies consis- will skim off the best-performing stu- percent of our children live in poverty tently show that charter schools don’t dents and weaken our nation’s public and that it’s far greater than in the na- get better results than regular public education system? tions to which we compare ourselves? schools? Are you aware that studies 6. Are you aware that there’s a large 9. Did you know that family income show that some charter schools get body of research by testing experts is the single most reliable predictor of high test scores but most are no dif- warning that it’s wrong to judge student test scores? Did you know that ferent from regular public schools? Do teacher quality by student test scores? every testing program—SAT, ACT, you recognize the danger in handing Are you aware that these measures are NAEP, state and international tests— public schools and public monies over considered inaccurate and unstable, shows the same tight correlation be- to private entities with weak oversight? that a teacher may be labeled effective tween family income and test scores? 2. Both Republican candidates and one year, then ineffective the next? Affluence helps—children in affluent President Obama are enamored of Are you aware that these measures homes have educated parents, more merit pay for teachers based on test may be strongly influenced by the books in the home, more vocabulary scores. Are you aware that merit pay composition of a teacher’s classroom, spoken around them, better medical has been tried in the schools again and over which she or he has no control? care, more access to travel and librar- again since the ‘20s and it has never 7. Although elected officials like ies, more economic security—as com- worked? Are you aware of the exhaus- to complain about our standing on pared to students who live in poverty, tive study of merit pay in Nashville international tests, did you know that who are more likely to have poor med- schools conducted by the National students in the U.S. have never done ical care, poor nutrition, uneducated Center for Performance Incentives at well on those tests? Did you know that parents, more instability in their lives. Vanderbilt, which found that a bonus when the first international test was Do you think these things matter? of $15,000 per teacher for higher test given in the mid ‘60s, the U.S. came 10. Are you concerned that closing scores made no difference? in 12th out of 12? Did you know that schools in low-income neighborhoods 3. Are you aware that Milwaukee over the past half-century, our stu- will weaken fragile communities? has had vouchers for low-income dents have typically scored no better 11. Are you worried that annual students since 1990 and state scores in than average and often in the bottom firings of teachers will cause demoral- Wisconsin show that low-income stu- quartile on international tests? Have ization and loss of prestige for teach- dents in voucher schools get no better you ever wondered how our nation ers? Any ideas about who will replace test scores than low-income students developed the world’s most successful those fired because they taught too in the Milwaukee public schools? Are economy when we scored so poorly may low scoring students? you aware that the federal test (NAEP) over the decades on those tests? 12. Why is it that politicians don’t shows that—after 21 years of vouchers 8. Did you know that American pay attention to research and studies? in Milwaukee—black students in the schools where less than 10 percent of 13. Do you know of any high-per- Milwaukee public schools score on the students were poor scored above forming nation in the world that got par with black students in Mississippi, those of Finland, Japan and Korea that way by privatizing public schools, Alabama, Georgia and Louisiana? in the last international assessment? closing those with low test scores and 4. Does it concern you that cyber Did you know that American schools firing teachers? The answer: none.

Worth Repeating does not necessarily reflect the views or positions of MASB. It is intended to spark dialogue and inform readers about what is being said about public education around the nation.

12 www.masb.org • MASB Headlines • March 20, 2012