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2 Leadership Matters: NCSA EXECUTIVE BOARD School Administrators Promoted 2008-09 in Radio Ad Campaign Chair ...... John Osgood Vice Chair ...... Jon Habben 3 Political Commentary BY U.S. SENATOR CHUCK HAGEL NASA Representatives President ...... Matt Fisher President-elect ...... Bill Mowinkel 4 Leadership: Intentional or Accidental Past President ...... Jon Habben BY LOUANN PURCELL NASBO Representatives President ...... Sandy Rosenboom 6 Keeping Our Focus, Expanding Our President-elect ...... Rick Feauto Vision, Finding the Balance Past President . . . . . Dennis Van Horn BY PAT ROSCHEWSKI, Nebraska Department of Education NAESP Representatives NCSA Announces 2008 Distinguished President ...... Mary Yilk 10 President-elect ...... Sarah Williams Service Award Winners Past President ...... Mark Wragge

11 Hillbilly Perspective on School Change NASES Representatives BY MATT FISHER, Chase County Schools President ...... Ellen Stokebrand President-elect ...... Jane Byers 12 A Contemporary Mentor-Mentee Model Past President ...... John Street BY DAN ENDORF, York High School NSASSP Representatives 13 New Superintendents Mentoring Program President ...... Ryan Ruhl BY BILL HEIMANN, Wakefield Community Schools President-elect ...... Kenton Mann Past President ...... John Osgood 14 Networking with New Principals BY BILL KENAGY, NCSA Principal Liaison NARSA Representatives President ...... Kay Gordon 15 How to Implement a Worksite Wellness Program BY ROY HUNTER, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska 16 School Health: More than a Bandaid NCSA STAFF – 2008-2009 BY KATHY KARSTING, RN Michael S. Dulaney Executive Director/Lobbyist 5 Affiliate LeadershipVisits the Hill Dan E. Ernst 18 NCSA Annual Report Associate Executive Director/Lobbyist BY MIKE DULANEY, Executive Director Kelly Coash-Johnson and DAN ERNST, Associate Executive Director Training and Development Director Nebraska Council of School Administrators Cami Cumblidge 20 CALENDAR OF EVENTS Finance and Membership Coordinator 4 UPCOMING EVENTS Angie Carman 15 MEMBER NEWS Executive Administrative Assistant NCSA Mission Carol Young The mission of the Nebraska Council of School Administrators (NCSA) is to be an effec - Administrative Assistant tive leader for quality education and to enhance the professionalism of its members. The opinions expressed in NCSA Today NCSA Today is a benefit of membership in the Nebraska Council of School Administrators, 455 South 11th or by its authors do not necessarily re - Street, Suite A, Lincoln, NE 68508. Telephone 402.476.8055 or 800.793.6272. Fax 402.476.7740. An - flect the positions of the Nebraska nual membership dues are $315 (active members) or $100 (associate members). NCSA Today is published Council of School Administrators. quarterly. Send address changes to NCSA, Membership, 455 South 11th Street, Suite A, Lincoln, NE 68508. Copyright 2008 by NCSA. All rights reserved. SEPTEMBER 2008 NCSA TODAY 1 LEADERSHIP Leadership Matters: School Administrators Promoted in Radio Ad Campaign

s the 2008-09 school year begins, the NCSA would like Nebraskans Nebraska Radio Network Ato know that school administra - tors are committed to providing leadership KBRB-AM Ainsworth KQNK-AM Norton, KS at school and in the community in an ef - KBRB-FM Ainsworth KQNK-FM Norton, KS fort to promote the importance of educa - KWBE-AM Beatrice KOGA-AM Ogallala tion and lifelong learning. KCNI-AM Broken Bow KFAB-AM Omaha The NCSA launched its communications KBBN-FM Broken Bow KBRX-AM O’Neill campaign on August 1st, the last day of KGMT-AM Fairbury KBRX-FM O’Neill Administrators’ Days 2008. The campaign KHUB-AM Fremont KOAK-AM Red Oak will feature announcements on Nebraska Radio Network throughout August to KICS-AM Hastings KCSI-FM Shenandoah/Red Oak demonstrate how school administrators KUVR-AM Holdrege KCMI-FM Scottsbluff help schools remain safe, strong and com - KXPN-AM Kearney KSID-AM Sidney petitive in an ever-changing world. KGFW-AM Kearney KSID-FM Sidney The radio ads relate the message that KRNY-FM Kearney KRFS-AM Superior Nebraska’s school administrators remain KLIN-AM Lincoln KRFS-FM Superior on the cutting edge in terms of instruc - KNCY-AM Nebraska City KTCH-AM Wayne tional leadership, curriculum, student as - KNCY-FM Nebraska City KCTY-FM Wayne sessment, and remain focused on school WJAG-AM Norfolk WNAX-AM Yankton, SD safety. The NCSA believes Nebraskans are KXNP-FM North Platte KAWL-AM York fortunate to have so many experienced and skilled administrators, helping to im - KODY-AM North Platte KTMX-FM York prove schools and student achievement, and to prepare young people for bright fu - tures.

UPCOMING EVENTS

September 17-18 October 4 October 14 Nebraska Leadership Initiative NCSA Tailgate Party Facilities Management Workshop Civic Center - Gering NCSA Parking Lot - Lincoln Sandhills Convention Center - North Platte September 18-19 October 6 NASES/NDE Fall Conference Hispanic/Latino Summit October 15-16 Lied Lodge - Nebraska City Embassy Suites - Omaha Nebraska Leadership Initiative ESU #3 - Omaha September 25 October 8-10 School Law Update Leadership Conference on Assessment October 17 Holiday Inn - Kearney Hilton Hotel - Omaha Facilities Management Workshop Embassy Suites - Lincoln October 1-2 October 13 Nebraska Leadership Initiative Managing Student Conduct for Assistant October 27 Ramada Inn - Kearney Principals and Principals Paraeducators Convention Cornhusker Hotel - Lincoln Holiday Inn - Kearney

For more information, please visit http://ncsa.org

2 NCSA TODAY SEPTEMBER 2008 POLITICAL SCENE Political Commentary BY SEN. CHUCK HAGEL, NEBRASKA

NCSA has asked Senator Hagel to write the first in Congressional funding of the Individuals with a series of articles from our Nebraska Congressional Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is another exam - delegation. ple of unfunded federal mandates. More than 30 years ago, Congress passed IDEA to help states pro - ecisions on how to best educate our chil - vide children with disabilities access to quality ed - dren should be made by parents, educa - ucation. At that time, Congress committed the Dtors, local school boards, and state federal government to picking up 40 percent of the boards of education. A lifelong passion for learn - cost of serving these students. When I took office ing can only be instilled on a personal level. Those in 1997 federal funding provided only 9.2 percent who know the students best are most qualified to of IDEA funding. engage students in their work. During my time in the Senate I have advocated In 1997, I supported an amendment to the De - for increased funding of IDEA. In 2004, along with partment of Education appropriations bill that Senator Harkin (D-Iowa), I succeeded in getting an would have “block granted” much of the federal IDEA re-authorization bill passed that included lan - funding for education directly back to local educa - guage putting IDEA on a path to ensuring the fed - tion authorities. While serving as a member of the eral government’s 40 percent funding responsibility Sen. Hagel Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Com - over the next few years. We also sent letters to Sen - mittee (HELP), I cosponsored several pieces of leg - ate appropriators asking them to provide the high - islation that would have returned est possible funding for IDEA during Congress’ “All of America’s more control of education to local annual appropriations process. Through these ef - students must be school districts. forts, the federal government’s funding for IDEA is Based upon this philosophy of at $11.04 billion, or 17.4 percent of the cost asso - given equal local control over education policy, ciated with providing children with disabilities opportunities to I opposed No Child Left Behind in quality public education. 2001. The law places extensive un - IDEA has been a great success. While we have learn.” funded federal mandates on states made significant progress in increasing federal and local school districts. Instead of funding for IDEA over the last eleven years, we still dictating rigid federal education policies to local have a long way to go. governments and school districts without providing As we know, education is the best way to in - adequate funding, we should allocate the funds and crease opportunities for all of our young people. the use of those funds to the discretion of local of - All of America’s students must be given equal op - ficials. Initiatives I have supported such as the portunities to learn. I appreciate the continued ef - Straight A’s Act and the Teacher Empowerment Act forts and good work of the NCSA to advance this

were intended to send federal funds directly to local important goal. I school districts no strings attached. Block grant funding puts the resources and decision-making in the hands of those closest to the students.

SEPTEMBER 2008 NCSA TODAY 3 NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE Leadership: Intentional or Accidental BY LOUANN PURCELL, E d.D., Executive Director, Council of Administrators of Special Education

early all men can stand adversity, but if George singled me out and encouraged me to be - you want to test a man's character, come even more involved in the CASE organization. ‘N give him power.” Abraham Lincoln 1 It was also a turning point for Ken. At that fall What is the big deal about leadership? Everyone meeting, he resigned his presidency because he had is always talking about leadership. We hear about accepted a position as superintendent of a local it on the television as the different parties try to district. The leadership Ken Bird demonstrated and convince us their candidate has the heart and ex - the mentoring from George Spilker “coaxed” me to perience to lead our country. We see research that forge a professional track that has ironically led me says student achievement is directly related to the back to Nebraska on several occasions! “instructional leadership” of the principal. We As we all contemplate the beginning of another often talk about how to develop the leaders of to - school year, we need to reflect on just what it is Purcell morrow. Why is leadership important? Is it some - we do on a day-to-day basis. Are we leading? Have thing we develop, we learn, we experience, or are you identified someone you are mentoring for a we born with an in - leadership role? Whether it is a “formal” mentor - nate ability to lead? ship or just an intentional encouragement, decide A true leader is one who has Is it a skill or is it an now to be a leader of leaders. I love Abraham Lin - a vision for his or her art? Is there really a coln’s quote about power. Great leaders have the difference in leading character to serve. Make sure as you lead your staff, organization, the wisdom to and managing? your school, your department, that you are striving design or endorse an YES…Leadership is to be as Jim Collins’ describes in his book, Good to important and it IS Great , a level five leader. “Level 5 leaders channel implementation plan to something we can de - their ego needs away from themselves and into the achieve the vision…and velop and yet we also larger goal of building a great company. It’s not know there are those that Level 5 leaders have no ego or self-interest. when the plan has been who have an innate Indeed, they are incredibly ambitious—but their ability to lead. What ambition is first and foremost for the institution, completed knows how to is it like to lead an or - not themselves.” 2 say a job well done to those ganization of leaders? Before your first staff meeting, spend a few min - Before I answer, con - utes and design an “Intentional Leadership Plan” who accomplished the goal. sider your role as an for this year. Start by writing down what your vi - educational leader. sion is for the next five years. Determine what three Like me, I imagine most of you started out as a goals need to be accomplished this year to keep teacher. Do you remember your first classroom? you on track with your vision. Establish three Were you not a leader of leaders even then? Every benchmarks to help you meet each goal. Schedule class has a unique complexion and yet great teach - an appointment three months from now to look at ers are able to coax many leaders out of each group. your benchmarks. Why do you need to do an Now that we are “certified” leaders, do we continue “ILP?” Because no matter what our position is in to “coax” others into leadership roles? education, as a person with the title “leader,” every I remember the first “national” CASE meeting I decision we make has the potential to help or hurt attended in November 1992. Prior to that meet - a child. Have you thought of that lately? We all ing, all my professional development had been lim - know the impact a teacher has on a child. Indeed ited to my own state. At that meeting in San each of us can quickly name a teacher from our Diego, CA two of the international CASE officers childhood who we have fond memories of or who were from Nebraska, Dr. Ken Bird was President and we know should have never been in a classroom set - George Spilker was Treasurer. For some reason, ting. Quick, can you name an administrator? If you

4 NCSA TODAY SEPTEMBER 2008 NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE can, most likely it is a principal. during my years as an Assistant Su - changes that inevitably will occur, and Maybe the first one to offer some sort perintendent of a school district with when the plan has been completed of discipline or maybe as is my case a 28,000 students was “one decision, knows how to say a job well done to principal who very personally “undid” one teacher, one child at a time.” If those who accomplished the goal. Be the damage a teacher was inflicting on we look at what we do, again no mat - an intentional leader this year! a terrified third grader. Does that ter the job description or locality of So, what is it like to lead an organ - mean the multitudes of administra - that position, in light of how it im - ization of leaders? Very similar to tors/leaders at the school board office pacts the student directly or the when I was an educational adminis - or state department don’t really im - teacher, and therefore the student, trator in a local district and much like pact students? Maybe the direct im - then we can stay true to our own goals I feel about being asked to write this pact is lessened but I still would say as educational leaders. As you begin article—it is very humbling and very as a leader in education, no matter this school year, revisit your personal much a privilege! I where your office is located and no leadership goals through an ILP. A matter what your title, every decision true leader is one who has a vision for Notes has the potential to help or hurt a his or her organization, the wisdom to 1Michael Moncur's (Cynical) Quotations. child. If not, is it a decision we design or endorse an implementation Abraham Lincoln: Character. Retrieved Au - should even be making? So, if our de - plan to achieve the vision, the knowl - gust 25, 2008, from The Quotations Page cisions truly can make a difference, edge and skill to lead others as they Web site: http://www.quotationspage.com/ then they deserve our very best. To be execute the plan, the adaptability to quote/414.html our very best, we must be intentional make appropriate adjustments to the 2Jim Collins. Good to Great (New York: with our leadership. plan as needed based on the available HarperCollins Publishing, 2001) p. 21 Leadership should not be an acci - personnel and resources, the flexibility dent. One of my guiding principles to deal with any and all situational Affiliate LeadershipVisits the Hill

held July 23-26 in Washington, D.C. Seven Nebraska elemen - tary and secondary school principals represented NCSA at the NAESP/NASSP Leadership Conference. At both conferences, a series of briefings were offered by national leaders and legislative experts. The purpose of both events was to visit congressional delegations on “the Hill” and advocate for public education. I

ebraska principals and special education di - rectors were busy in the month of July lob - Nbying for more funding and clearer defined public policy. Two separate events were held in July, both sponsored by national affiliate associations. The first, sponsored by CASE, was held July 13-16 in Arlington, Virginia. Nebraska special education direc - tors represented the largest single group from one state at the CASE Leadership Conference. The second, sponsored by NAESP and NASSP, was

SEPTEMBER 2008 NCSA TODAY 5 FOCUS, VISION, BALANCE Keeping Our Focus, Expanding OurVision, FindingThe Balance Standards, Assessment, and Accountability: TheTransitionYears—2008-2012 BY PAT ROSCHEWSKI, Director of Statewide Assessment, Nebraska Department of Education

Legislation local assessment system. he legislative sessions in 2007 and 2008 ini - Therefore, among the many decisions critical to tiated sweeping change in state policy re - local school districts during the transition years will Tgarding standards, assessment, and be the decision of balancing assessment tools. The accountability. This shift in policy direction will, over local assessments used in the last eight years have time, result in significant adjustments in assessment been designed for informing the classroom teacher implementation for districts. All educators, policy - and guiding instruction. The new state tests will serve makers, and stakeholders need to be informed and a different purpose, that of comparative accountabil - aware of the anticipated changes during the transi - ity. How districts decide to integrate the state ac - tion years. countability tools into their local school improvement LB 653 passed in May of 2007 and set into motion processes will be critical to student learning. Each dis - the revision of state content standards in reading, trict will need to find that appropriate balance of the mathematics, science, and social studies. This legis - various assessment tools, those designed for inform - lation also initiated the development of statewide cri - ing instruction, and those designed for summative ac - terion-referenced assessment instruments in reading countability. Roschewski and mathematics. Under the legislation, the State Board of Education was to determine the three grade levels that would administer the state tests in those two content areas. The responsibility for the develop - ment of assessment tools to be used “…the involvement for state and federal accountability purposes had begun to shift from the of Nebraska local district to the state level. educators has been a Additional legislation was passed very important in 2008. With the passage of LB 1157 in April of 2008, the work that had component of the begun under LB 653 was expanded to work that has been add additional criterion-referenced tests in grades 3-8 and once in the done.” high school. The new legislation also included an assessment of science in one grade in the elementary, one grade in the middle school, and one grade in the high school. Local as - Implementation sessment is eliminated as a data source for state or The Nebraska Department of Education designed an federal accountability reporting by the 2011-12 school implementation plan to be approved by the State year. Board of Education. That plan, inserted below, was ap - The purpose of the new state-generated tools, as proved on May 8th, 2008 and was reviewed by the Na - outlined by LB 653 and LB 1157, is that of compara - tional Advisory Committee that has been advising the tive accountability. Therefore the administration of Nebra ska Department of Education since 2005. As such large-scale tools must be consistent, compara - specified in LB 1157, the plan will also be reviewed by ble, and summative in nature. The purposes for the the Technical Advisory Committee whose members will new tests as required under LB 653 and LB 1157 are be appointed by the Governor and approved by the different from those that were primary to the state’s Legislature.

6 NCSA TODAY SEPTEMBER 2008 FOCUS, VISION, BALANCE

LB 1157 IMPLEMENTATION WORK PLAN

I. Standards Revision • Reading Standards By July 1, 2009 • Mathematics Standards By July 1, 2010 • Science Standards By July 1, 2013* • Social Studies Standards By July 1, 2013 (The above dates are specified in the legislation)

II. Test Development • Reading Test January 2008-January 2009 Development Grades 3-8, one grade in high school Spring 2009 – Field Test Spring 2010 – Full Implementation Spring 2011 – Verification Studies

• Mathematics Test January 2009-January 2010 Development Grades 3-8, one grade in high school Spring 2010 – Field Test Spring 2011 – Full Implementation Spring 2012 – Verification Studies

• Science Test January 2010-January 2011 Development ** One grade elementary, one grade middle Spring 2011 – Field Test level, one grade high school Spring 2012 – Full Implementation Spring 2013 – Verification Studies **( Science Test development will occur after standards are revised.)

III. NCLB Compliance • AYP Student Performance 2008-09 STARS Reading / STARS Mathematics 2009-10 State Reading Test / STARS Mathematics 2010-11 State Reading Test/ State Mathematics Test

• Documentation of Standards Revision Summer 2008 – Summer 2011 (Intermediate deadlines to be mutually agreed upon by NDE and USDE)

• Documentation of Test Development Summer 2008 – Summer 2011 (Intermediate deadlines to be mutually agreed upon by NDE and USDE)

IV. NRT Recommendation • Recommend NRT(S) for reporting scores Decision – Summer 2008 and sub-scores for national comparison Reporting to begin 2009-10

V. Reporting • Individual Student Records (by District) 2008-2009 • Scores, sub-scores on NRT (by District) 2009-2010 • State Reading Scores (by State) 2009-2010 • State Mathematics Scores (by State) 2010-2011 • State Science Scores (by State) 2011-2012

Because the timelines of LB 1157 require standards school year. This requirement for continuing with the revision and the implementation of the new statewide local assessment system was confirmed in writing from tests to begin with reading and the other subject USDE on April 24, 2008. areas phased in over time, the ongoing federal re - Among the most notable points in the schedule are porting requirements make it necessary to continue the following: with the current local assessment system until all the • Nothing changes in 2008-09, as STARS data will be new state tests are fully implemented in the 2011-12 used for both state and federal accountability (AYP)

SEPTEMBER 2008 NCSA TODAY 7 FOCUS, VISION, BALANCE

as it has been used since NCLB was passed. of Education – June 2008 • STARS data will be used for accountability in one or • Approval – of Hearing Draft Fall 2008 more content area until 2011-2012. • Rule 10 Hearing – Fall-Winter 2008-09

ASSESSMENT AND REPORTING SCHEDULE 2008-2012 YEAR ASSESSMENT GRADE LEVELS 2008-2009 STARS Reading ...... 3-8, High School STARS Mathematics ...... 3-8, High School STARS Science ...... 4 or 5, 8 and 11 Statewide Writing Assessment ...... 4, 8, and 11 AYP – STARS Reading and Mathematics, Writing (4, 8) Pilot – New State Reading Assessment

2009-2010 STARS Mathematics ...... 3-8, High School STARS Science ...... 4 or 5, 8, 11 Statewide Writing Assessment ...... 4, 8, 11 New State Reading Assessment ...... 3-8, High School AYP – New State Reading Test & STARS Mathematics, Writing (4, 8) Pilot – New State Mathematics Assessment

2010-2011 State Reading Assessment ...... 3-8, High School State Mathematics Assessment ...... 3-8, High School State Science Assessment ...... Three Grades Statewide Writing Assessment ...... 4, 8, 11 AYP — State Reading and Mathematics Assessments, Writing (4, 8)

2011-2012 State Reading Assessment ...... 3-8, High School State Mathematics Assessment ...... 3-8, High School State Science Assessment ...... Three Grades Statewide Writing Assessment ...... 4, 8, 11 AYP — State Reading and Mathematics Assessments, Writing (4, 8)

• Additionally, at this time there is no statutory or – Mathematics Standards – Revision process began legislative requirement for social studies to be re- – March 2008 ported at the state level. – Science and Social Studies standards revision – In order to meet the legislative deadlines, the NDE – to be completed by 2013 has been working with educators from the across the state, with technical advisors, and with the State • Assessment Development – Reading – Plan for As - Board of Education and our policy partners to com- sessment Development to be reviewed by: municate the steps that have been taken thus far in – National Advisory Group – in place since 2005 completing the work. The inserted document below – State Technical Advisory Committee – Required indicates much of the work that has been done and – by 1157 – TBD that is underway. February 2008 Identification of concepts and indi - Update: Standards, Assessment, and cators to be assessed Reporting LB 1157 January 2008 Research of models and examples from within/out of state • Standards Revision March 2008 Research/Examination of Computer – Reading Standards – Rough Draft to State Board Assistance for Assessment System

8 NCSA TODAY SEPTEMBER 2008 FOCUS, VISION, BALANCE

April 2008 Tables of Specification Development • At Administrators’ Days districts received the first / Initial PLD Development draft of reading standards, the basic logistics of the April-May 2008 Development of Scoring Rubric/ reading test, including the proposed assessed in - Commission of Passage Writing dicators and the performance level descriptors. May 2008 RFP for Software/Computer Assis - • NDE will be providing a series of communication tance opportunities to provide all new information to dis - June-July 2008 Item development for reading as - tricts. sessments • NDE will seek ways to provide leadership in the After process of how to integrate multiple assessment July 15, 2008 Governor appointment of technical tools into the continuous improvement process advisory committee • NDE will continue to seek resources to support dis - August 2008 Sharing of initial assessment model tricts in the curriculum work that is a necessary at Administrator Days and critical component of the transition in stan - Sept 1 2008 Contract for computer assistance dards and assessment. completed • NDE will be documenting the NCLB requirements as Sept-Dec. 2008 Loading and entering assessment the work is being done. items for reading assessments • NDE is anticipating a three year agreement with Sept-Dec. 2008 Continued Development of items USDE in providing the documentation necessary for /Passages for reading assessments approval of the new assessment system. Spring, 2009 — Pilot Reading Assessment – Spring 2009 – Details to be announced in Please know that we appreciate all of the support January 2009. and time that you have been providing by allowing staff in your districts to contribute to this work. We Next Steps have made extensive efforts to be fair and represen - As specified in LB 1157, the involvement of Ne - tative with the involvement of educators. This work braska educators has been a very important compo - cannot be done without all of you if we really want nent of the work that has been done. The expertise this to be Nebraska’s system, built, owned, and oper - in the state is being utilized in standards revision, ated by Nebraskans. test item development, and advisory capacities. As We have quality schools, teachers, leaders, and out - the planning and the work are reviewed by all of the standing students. Let us continue to work together to respective groups, the Department will communicate create the best possible environment and maximum the expectations of the revised standards and the new opportunities that we can for these students. They will assessments in as timely a manner as possible. The achieve if we as adults continue to learn, grow, and Department does understand that this information is support them. I vital so that districts can continue in their planning for the transition years. Please consider the following bullet points that might be helpful as the work, plan - ning, and transition continues:

• All meetings, summaries, new developments, and updates are placed on the Assessment link of the Nebraska Department of Education website. • Standards, as they are revised, are placed for pub - National Convention Dates lic review on the Assessment link of the NDE web - AASA – February 19-21, 2009 – San Francisco, CA site. NASSP – Febr. 27-March 1, 2009 – San Diego, CA • By early June, a Request for Proposals (RFP) will ASBO – March 19-23, 2009 – Pittsburgh, PA be issued requesting proposals from vendors re - NAESP – April 2-6, 2009 – New Orleans, LA garding computer assisted support for online test CASE – July 9-11, 2009 – San Francisco, CA administration. (Districts will have options for paper/pencil test administration.)

SEPTEMBER 2008 NCSA TODAY 9 STATEWIDE AWARDS NCSA Announces 2008 Distinguished Service Award Winners arry Stark , past principal of Norris arry Ramaekers , Superintendent for Middle School was presented NCSA’s the past 11 years of the Aurora Public Bhighest award, The Distinguished LSchools was the second recipient to re - Service Award at Administrators’ Days. Dr. ceive the NCSA’s highest award, The Distin - Larry Dlugosh, Chair of the University of Ne - guished Service Award. NCSA Executive braska Educational Administration Depart - Director Dr. Mike Dulaney presented the award. Stark ment, presented the award. Ramaekers Larry earned his Bachelor’s degree from Barry received his Bachelor’s degree from Kearney State College in 1972, a Master’s of Tarkio College, MO in 1967, and earned his Master’s degree Science degree in 1975, and completed the Doctor’s degree (1971) and Educational Specialist degree (1980) from the Uni - from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in 1982. Dr. Rae - versity of Nebraska at Omaha. Barry began his distinguished makers following a five-year teaching stint in Minden began career in Nebraska as a teacher in Ralston, held administrative his noteworthy administrative career as the 7-12 Principal in positions in Elkhorn, Lincoln, and most recently retired from Scribner (7 years), moved into to the superintendent position the Norris Public Schools where he served as Middle School at Sandy Creek (16 years) and began his tenure in Aurora in Principal. 1997. He most recently completed his 36th year serving stu - Barry Stark has been an outstanding leader in Nebraska dents in Nebraska Schools. Schools and this past year represented Nebraska while serving Dr. Larry Remailers is recognized in part for his outstand - as President of the National Association of Secondary School ing leadership and dedicated service to NCSA. He has served Principals. Norris Assistant Superintendent John Skretta, nom - as Chairperson for the NCSA Executive Board throughout the inating Mr. Stark on behalf of the Norris Administrative team 2006-07 year; Nebraska Association of School Administrators said, “Barry has been a strong advocate for the values Nebraska President in 2005-06; served multiple terms on the NCSA Leg - educators have long held dear. He has been an excellent model islative Committee and chaired the committee in 1990. Larry for the virtues which we all espouse in education: a commit - was recognized by his peers and selected as the 2007 Nebraska ment to marshaling resources for the individual learner and Superintendent of the Year. NCSA Executive Director Mike Du - striving for increased student achievement by equipping teach - laney said, “Larry has devoted countless hours to provide lead - ers with the best researched-based instructional support avail - ership, service, and share his expertise for the benefit of NCSA able.” and its members. He has been a tremendous advocate and Dr. Dlugosh, in his introductory remarks said, “He was a spokesperson for NCSA.” In addition to his service to NCSA, he mentor to kids who needed help and direction. He was truly has also served on the American Association of School Admin - a friend to everyone; teachers, parents, students…community istrators Governing Board, (2004-2008). members…there are few people who do not know him and like Kenneth Thiele, Aurora Middle School Principal said, “Dr. him immensely.” Barry Stark has made a difference for stu - Raemakers consistently reminds us that we are first and fore - dents, staff, and his chosen profession. NCSA extends are most most, in the people business and every decision is based on heartfelt congratulations. I the premise of what is best for kids. Larry Raemakers as a su - perintendent and educational leader has made a difference. He has earned the respect and admiration of his peers and col - leagues across this state. He truly represents the work ethic October 4 and demeanor of an outstanding leader, and does it all for stu - NCSATailgate Party dents. Congratulations to Dr. Ramaekers. I NCSA Parking Lot Lincoln

10 NCSA TODAY SEPTEMBER 2008 STATEWIDE PERSPECTIVE Hillbilly Perspective on School Change BY MATT FISHER, Superintendent, Chase County Schools; President, NASA

ell, doggie!!” Many of you will re - were. Then I did some whining about the state aid my member this phrase being exacted school lost and some fretting about what the new as - ‘W from Jed Clampett’s mouth when - sessment system might look like. After I got done ever he encountered a new or intriguing facet of life pouting, I followed Jed’s lead and decided to make in Beverly Hills. Were Jed in the school business right the most of the situation. now, I would expect he might toss out several “Well, One of the play lines throughout the “Beverly Hill - doggies.” billies” television run was Banker Drysdale trying to With an overhaul of the state aid formula taking keep Jed from spending any of the money he had in place in the last legislative session and a looming re - the bank. Drysdale was much more interested in pro - vamp of the assessment process, it’s enough to make tecting his assets than serving his clients’ wants and an ol’ country boy like Jed scratch his head. Not to needs. Jed and the rest of the clan typically ignored mention questions about reauthorization of NCLB and what Mr. Drysdale wanted and moved ahead to do other federal meddling in the operation of schools. In what they felt was right. In the school business we fact, this entrance into the unknown reminds me of encounter a host of self-serving Banker Drysdales, one of my favorite “Beverly Hillbillies” episodes. from the federal government level right on down to In this show the Clampetts buy a Hollywood studio. our local taxpayers, our students and parents, and Obviously, they know next to nothing about operating even some staff members. Our job is to identify what a movie studio. In fact they are baffled by some of is best for those we serve and then move ahead with

Fisher the fancy talk of the studio executives. In one scene our plans to make this happen. the president of the studio is congratulating Jed on In this era when schools are asked to do more and this wise purchase. He is conveying how all of Holly - more with shrinking resources, it is often difficult to wood is talking about what a shrewd financial coup he keep sight of this ultimate goal. Creativity is now a has pulled off. However, Jed doesn’t quite get what he critical administrative trait. We have to look beyond is saying. The conversation what has always been done and look for new ways to goes something like this. serve our students. Maybe we have to look to busi - Creativity is now a Studio President: Everyone ness partnerships to offset shortfalls in funding. is talking about you. Maybe it is taking the best pieces of the STARS process critical administrative Jed: What are they saying? and combining those with whatever new system is Studio President: They are mandated. Perhaps we put in place relationships with trait. We have to look saying you are a roach and a other agencies to serve all of our students’ health and leach. social needs as well as their educational needs. Maybe beyond what has always Jed: Do you think I’m a we expand our use of technology to provide expanded been done and look for roach and a leach? learning opportunities at a lower cost. Maybe…. Studio President: I think Sweeping change created by the powers which new ways to serve our you’re the biggest. drive schools calls for strong leadership and convic - Jed: Well, I got to admire tion on the part of those of us who administer students. you for saying it to my face. schools. In much the same way that the Clampetts Like Jed, we in education moved ahead to operate their movie studio as they may not always understand felt it should be run, we too must run our schools to what is expected of us and communication break - best serve our students and communities. Having a vi - downs seem to be an all too common occurrence. sion and the fortitude to stay the course are traits When the legislature adjourned this past spring many critical for school leaders. I know that Nebraska edu - of us were scratching our heads and muttering “Well, cators will rise to the challenge and I look forward to doggie, look at what they have done.” Initially I spent working with my colleagues to turn these challenges time trying to figure out who the roaches and leaches into opportunities. I

SEPTEMBER 2008 NCSA TODAY 11 MENTORING A Contemporary Mentor-Mentee Model BY DAN ENDORF, E d.D., Principal, York High School

t is a privilege to administrative team faced a monumental amount of trepidation toward your first submit an article to challenge. We were determined to hire boss. Ithe NCSA member - the most talented teachers we could So, how did we begin the program? ship. It’s even more of find who possessed both positive lead - Mr. Haack broke the ice by speaking to an honor to write an ar - ership skills and uncompromising in - the rookies for a few minutes during ticle for the first edi - tegrity; it just so happens that five of New Teacher Orientation. Next, I intro - tion of this new the eight new hires were twenty-some - duced mentors to the mentees in an in - Endorf magazine. I’m sure this thing year-old rookies that were just formal, conversational meeting. From copy will become a collectors’ edition! cutting their teeth in the profession. there, Mr. Haack made daily contact with Whether you enjoy my attempt at The knowledge that these five first-year the new teachers. He sent e-mail re - humor or not, I’m sure you agree there is teachers would also be counted on to fill minders like “Take attendance each pe - nothing funny about the rate that new important roles in the athletics and ac - riod,” and “Get out in the halls during teachers are leaving the profession. Ac - tivities program only complicated the passing periods.” The Teacher-Leader cording to data presented at the 2002 matter. also communicated with the mentors, National Commission on Teaching and Our goal was to develop a quality getting their impressions and trying to America’s Future symposium “Unraveling First-Year Teacher Mentor-Mentee model. help each duo develop a cohesive rela - the ‘Teacher Shortage’ Problem: Reten - Discussions with some principals in the tionship. tion is the Key,” one-third of the na - Central Conference and Region I helped It was smooth sailing all the way— tion’s teachers leave the profession set a foundation for the program. until week three. Almost simultaneously, within their first three years of service. There exists plenty of literature dedi - new teacher mistakes occurred. Honest And the departure rate reaches fifty per - cated to the topic (suggested readings mistakes happened due to inexperience cent nationwide after five years. In - include: Teachers Mentoring Teachers by (a forgotten transportation request, a deed, these are startling numbers for John C. Daresh, Mentoring New Teachers concession stand snafu, an in-house teachers, administrators and teacher- by Hal Partner, and The 21st Century subbing miscue). It was time for a prep programs across the country. Mentor’s Handbook by Paula Ruther - meeting. Mr. Haack held the first of The objective of this article is to ex - ford). However, my personal experience many “Mentee Meetings” during our plain the First-Year Teacher Mentor- as a participant in the NSASSP First-Year scheduled Wednesday early-outs. They Mentee program developed at York High Principals program became the founda - discussed the rookies’ newfound School to assist five rookie teachers as tion for our plans at York High School. celebrity status as new teachers, their they transitioned into both the profes - As many of you know first-hand, this successes so far, as well as the many sion and our forty member teaching NCSA program is a safe harbor to vent challenges of the job. I was purpose - frustrations, ask tough questions, and fully absent in order to keep the new share scenarios that only other princi - teachers comfortable. pals truly understand. It was a sensa - Mr. Haack held monthly meetings This model is not meant tional experience for me and a formula with the mentees. He covered subjects we decided to emulate with our new such as extra-duty assignments, rela - to be a blueprint but teachers. tionships with students, bullying, The best decision made throughout teacher use of computers and special should provide some the developmental stage was to enlist education. I would occasionally suggest ideas for other schools the services of a teacher to oversee the a topic; other times, Mr. Haack would program. This point can’t be empha - decide or ask the mentees for ideas. The in the state. sized enough. Mr. Dennis Haack, an im - meetings were safe, open, and away mensely talented, selfless, hard-working from the ears of everyone except the teacher, quickly accepted the challenge first-year teachers and Mr. Haack. This and became the “Leader” of our mentor Teacher-Leader also stopped by their staff. This model is not meant to be a program. Why was it paramount to have classrooms and offered “dress rehearsal” blueprint but should provide some ideas a teacher lead the program? Simply put, observations prior to my first official for other schools in the state. as administrators we fill the role of visit. Again, his role was to advise and When York High School experienced a “management.” And as a former first- comfort in a friendly, non-threatening major-league bombshell due to the re - year teacher myself, I believe it’s almost role. tirement of many veteran educators, the instinctive for there to exist a certain (continued on page 13)

12 NCSA TODAY SEPTEMBER 2008 MENTORING New Superintendent Mentoring Program BY BILL HEIMANN, Ed.D, Superintendent, Wakefield Community Schools

aking a major NCSA office. Dr. Mike Dulaney was always from their experiences. Several school change in life present to talk about legislative issues attorneys were on hand to visit with us Mis always ex - and hot topics, including the Educator’s regarding a variety of topics. citing and frightening Health Alliance, school finance, and I was fortunate to be part of another at the same time. July STARS. Not only did he give us timely in - mentoring program developed by Dr. 1, 2007 I officially formation and guidance, he encouraged Robert Uhing, administrator at ESU#1. started my position as us to become politically active on behalf Four new superintendents were part - Heimann superintendent at of our school districts – and we did. nered with veterans. We met as a group Wakefield Community School. Having School attorneys presented important once per quarter at ESU 1, and the dia - spent the previous eight years as the legal advice concerning personnel issues logue was facilitated by Dr. Uhing. Each secondary principal in the same district, and contracts, and how to avoid mis - session was a chance to listen, learn, the transition was probably a bit takes that other districts have encoun - and ask questions concerning specific smoother than most since I already had tered. Other presenters provided us with topics or situations. Many of the con - an established relationship with the stu - knowledge concerning budget/finance; versations centered on working with the dents, staff, board of education, and superintendent contracts; school im - board of education, personnel, commu - community. Shortly after I was ap - provement; working with the board of nication, and learning about situations pointed superintendent, I received a education; public relations; human re - that other superintendents have en - phone call from Dr. Dan Ernst, Associate sources; transportation; communication; countered. The NCSA and ESU 1 pro - Executive Director for NCSA. During our leadership and much more. Dr. Ernst grams worked together to provide an conversation, he pledged his support to contacted each of the new superintend - outstanding experience during my first me, and he told me about plans for a ents by phone and email throughout the year. Steve Reinhart (first year superin - new superintendent mentoring program. year. Prior to the scheduled meetings, tendent for both the Randolph and Os - The support provided through NCSA dur - he always solicited our opinions regard - mond districts) and I shared “windshield ing this first year has been tremendous. ing topics that were of interest to us. time” traveling to and from Lincoln and The primary goal of the program is to ex - Although the agenda was set in ad - Kearney. The conversations I had with pand leadership skills specific to the vance, it was flexible to allow our needs Steve, and with the new and veteran su - needs of new superintendents and to to be addressed. After each session, we perintendents across the state have provide practical applications that may gave feedback that helped establish the been outstanding. The network of peo - promote success as a superintendent. topics of discussion for the next session. ple that I can rely on for support has ex - The program was packed with great in - The group met for breakfast during the panded greatly. I would like to thank formation, and it also allowed opportu - NASB state conference and again at the NCSA, Dr. Ernst, Dr. Uhing, the ESU 1 su - nities for dialogue with new and veteran Labor Relations conference for “free perintendents, and my colleagues for superintendents. During the fall, winter, food and advice.” It was another chance the incredible support provided this and spring, meetings were held at the to meet with our colleagues, and gain year. I

Contemporary Mentor-Mentee… (continued from page 12) Late in the first semester a student within the program. program. e-mailed one of these new teachers and The York High School First-Year New teacher retention is a challenge stated she was having suicidal thoughts. Teacher Mentor-Mentee model needs a in our field due to many factors, and the The first-year teacher froze. After the shorter title but was an outstanding ad - statistics shared earlier make us all gulp initial shock wore off, he chose to con - dition to our 2006-2007 school year. hard. While administrators commonly fide in Mr. Haack. Mr. Haack read the e- This program won’t correct a bad hire or hope to simply get the teacher to year mail message and immediately fix an unfixable situation. However, I two, the individual teacher’s expecta - contacted me. Together, we were able watched firsthand as this program tions may be much higher. And as one to rectify the problem by providing the helped foster a tight bond between the of our first-year teachers told Mr. Haack student and their parent with plenty of rookies, their mentors, and most of the in a meeting that year, “I don’t just counsel. This incident taught the rookie teaching staff. It is also worth noting want to survive, I WANT TO BE GOOD!” a valuable lesson; moreover, it displayed that ESU 6 provides a first-year teacher My hope is that programs like this one buy-in, trust, and open communication program that served to augment our accomplish this goal. I

SEPTEMBER 2008 NCSA TODAY 13 NETWORKING Networking With New Principals BY BILL KENAGY, E d.D., NCSA Principal Liaison

long time ago in a galaxy far, far away (ac - • Planning for school dismissals and inclement tually it was in Kansas) a young educator weather Anamed Kent Mann landed on his first admin - Our second strategy for increasing new principal istrative job. Kent’s first principal experience was networking is to schedule four meetings throughout probably typical to most of ours, but was exacerbated the year where the Cadre can sit and talk in depth by the fact that he had few opportunities to network about issues that are facing administrators. At our with other principals. first meeting this year we met with forty-one of Ne - When Kent returned to Nebraska, he was deter - braska’s new principals during Administrators’ Days. mined to do something in his home state to assist The highlight of this meeting is a panel of second year new principals. With the support of NCSA, Kent, now principals who talk and are asked questions about at Grand Island HS, and Mike Wortman (Lincoln High their experiences from last year. School) inaugurated a program called Networking with Our third strategy is for the Principal Liaison to New Principals. Its origins were initially simple but meet with new principals before or after some of the powerful—give new principals the opportunity to Region meetings. Finally, the Principal Liaison is also meet and share ideas and concerns with other new available for individual onsite consultations. All of the principals and veteran principals. Networking Cadre are always available for phone calls Over fifteen years later Kent’s idea has grown to a and emails on individual questions having already major emphasis within the structure of NCSA. Today fielded the first one this year about how to handle a the program has a Principal Liaison, Bill Kenagy (re - parent who is demanding special accommodations to Kenagy tired Kearney High School Principal) as a coordinator. keep another student away from her child at school. Kent and Mike continue with the program and Scott Some new principal facts: Dodson (Woodland Park Elementary School, Norfolk) • Over the last three years we have had 211 new and Mary Drew (retired from elementary principalships principals participate in Networking with New Prin - in Omaha Westside) collaborate to form the Network - cipals Program ing Cadre. • We currently have 52 new principals registered with So what does Networking with new Principals offer the program (If you are not registered, contact Bill to the newest members of the Nebraska administra - Kenagy ([email protected]) tive team? The objectives of the program are: • Over the last three years Region II (SE Nebraska) • Expand knowledge of leadership skills and instruc - has had the most new principals—59. Region V tional leadership practices (Central and Western Nebraska) has had 50. • Increase access to challenging opportunities and • The most often asked question for new principals responsibilities is, “how can I develop credibility and authority in • Create opportunities to discuss educational issues my new building?” To help new principals we have • Provide ongoing support and encouragement compiled a list of suggestions and strategies to as - • Provide honest and constructive feedback sist new principals in this area. It was handed out • Help access information at Administrators’ Days. If anyone would like a • Assist in building professional networks copy, just email Bill Kenagy. These objectives are met through four primary We are still looking for new principals who would strategies. First of all the Networking Cadre provides like to participate in the Networking Program. If you weekly emails relevant to new principals. The emails are out there (in a far away galaxy?), don’t hesitate to range from the topical, to tips, proven ideas, and email or contact any of the Networking Cadre. There is ”heads up” issues. Over the course of the school year also a Networking With New Principals link on the new principals receive over thirty of these emails. NCSA website (ncsa.org) Some example titles are: Scott Dodson ([email protected]) • Thirty things you need to check off before the start Mary Drew ([email protected]) of school Bill Kenagy ([email protected]) • Seven things students want to know when they Kent Mann ([email protected]) start school Mike Wortman ([email protected]) I • Do you have a school evacuation plan?

14 NCSA TODAY SEPTEMBER 2008 HEALTH & WELLNESS How to Implement a Worksite Wellness Program BY ROY HUNTER, Wellness Administrator for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska

he main causes of sickness and death in the 3. Collecting Data U.S. are all lifestyle related (e.g., tobacco 4. Crafting an Operating Plan Tuse, physical inactivity, and poor nutrition). 5. Choosing Appropriate Interventions These factors cause the diseases that are the driving 6. Creating Supportive Environments force behind rising healthcare costs 7. Carefully Evaluating Outcomes By empowering such as diabetes, heart disease, people to change their and cancer. By empowering people The Well Workplace process provides a roadmap that behavior, they can to change their behavior, they can can be used by a school administrator to develop and reduce their risks for these condi - implement a results-oriented wellness program for ad - reduce their risks for tions, and, therefore, reduce ministrators and their respective districts. Rather than these conditions, and, healthcare utilization and costs. randomly jumping in to a series of wellness programs, But lowering healthcare costs the Seven Benchmarks will guide an organization therefore, reduce alone is not the only reason to through a strategic planning process that will lead to healthcare utilization bring wellness to the worksite. An a healthier, more productive, and highly engaged even greater reward comes from the workforce. and costs. change in productivity and engage - According to WELCOA, more than 1000 companies ment seen when employees become healthier, more across the U.S. have adopted the Well Workplace energized members of the organization. The return on model. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska (BCB - investment is substantial. SNE) followed the “Seven Benchmarks to a Well Work - Although there is no single approach to wellness place” and received the Platinum Well Workplace that will work at every worksite, there are seven Award from WELCOA in 2007. The Platinum Award is benchmarks that are inherent in wellness programs recognized by national health promotion experts as that consistently produce positive results. These the highest standard for evaluating worksite wellness “Seven Benchmarks to a Well Workplace” were devel - programs. BCBSNE is extremely proud to be the first oped by the Wellness Councils of America (WELCOA), Nebraska-based health insurance company to achieve an Omaha-based non-profit organization dedicated to Platinum status. I promoting healthier lifestyles for all Americans – especially through worksite health promotion. The “Seven Benchmarks to a Well Workplace” are: 1. Capturing Senior Level Support 2. Creating Cohesive Teams

MEMBER NEWS

Our Sincere Sympathies to • Doug Ackles, Superintendent at Saint Paul Public Schools, whose mother passed away • Steve Baker, Assistant Superintendent at Elkhorn Public Schools, whose mother passed away • The family of Wes Lamberson, Elementary Principal at Fremont • Wayne Bell, Director, ESU #10, whose mother and mother-in-law passed away • Kelly Coash-Johnson, Director of Training & Devel - opment, on the death of her father-in-law • The family of Dick Chochon, retired administrator from Palmer Public Schools • The family of Dale Meritt, retired Superintendent

SEPTEMBER 2008 NCSA TODAY 15 HEALTH & WELLNESS School Health: More than a Bandaid BY KATHY KARSTING, RN, School and Child Health Program Manager Dept. of Health and Human Services Division of Public Health

hat’s new in school health? As school oversight. There are national and state guidelines administrators across the state en - available to assure the safe and medically sound de - Wgage staff and children in another livery of vaccine to the public . Administrators seeking year of learning and achievement, what are the health information on such matters may contact the DHHS issues that really make a difference in student per - Immunization program or the School Health program formance? What’s on the pol - at 800-801-1122. icy horizon that might impact Flu among staff and students can take a significant …communicable disease schools? In this article we toll on attendance during flu season, which can typi - control issues present briefly look at a few issues cally run from October until March. In Nebraska, relating to student illness schools occasionally close due to staff shortages, stu - school administrators and absenteeism ; and the dent absenteeism, and upon recommendation from the (as well as those local time , effort, and potential local public health authority. In fact, communicable public health authorities) impact of school health disease control issues present school administrators screening. (as well as those local public health authorities) with with an array of In 2008, for the first time, an array of challenges and concerns, ranging from the challenges and concerns, the Centers of Disease Con - individual ill child to an outbreak of disease to a true trol has issued a recommen - public health emergency. ranging from the dation that all school-aged In 2007-2008, now-retired John Clark of the De - individual ill child to an children receive vaccination partment of Ed., Vicki Duey, executive director of Four against the seasonal in - Corners Health Department headquartered in York, and outbreak of disease to fluenza A. While high risk Kathy Karsting, Dept. of Health and Human Services a true public health populations of children School Health Program Manager, worked together to emergency. (those with respiratory or develop a resource on the subject of school closure other chronic disease) have decisions , which is only one point on the continuum long been targeted for flu of disease control decisions administrators make . The vaccine, new evidence is revealing that the popula - underlying statutory authority for decision-making in tion of children in a community, even if asymptomatic several scenarios is described, emphasizing all the and apparently well, can pose a significant source of while collaboration and consultation between local disease transmission. school and public health officials. A table of statutory In an entrepreneurial world perhaps it is no sur - references and sources, as well as important disease prise that a commercial market is springing up of ven - control documents available at the national level, is dors seeking to contract with schools to offer included in the resource document. Lastly, the docu - vaccination clinics. In a survey of school nurses in Ne - ment contains a sample “table top ” exercise (with braska last year, twenty-nine respondents reported variations ) on disease response scenarios to enable their schools host clinics at school in cooperation local school officials, public health , and emergency with a local medical provider, or the school nurse her - officials to open communication channels and begin self delivers the clinic at school with some medical talking about what works in your local community.

16 NCSA TODAY SEPTEMBER 2008 HEALTH & WELLNESS

In true collaborative spirit, the draft document This year, the Department of Health and Human “Collaborative Decision-Making in Disease Control at Services will be undertaking a project to develop rules School” will be posted and available for review and and regulations for school health screening, as di - comment on the DHHS school health web site between rected in Neb. Rev. Stat. 79-249. This is an opportu - Sept. 1 and Nov. 1 (www.dhhs.ne.gov/schoolhealth ). nity for educators and public health professionals to After that time the final work together to accomplish three important goals: This is an opportunity for version of the document improve the quality and relevance of school health will replace the draft, in - screening practices in our state, assure the time, ef - educators and public health cluding improvements fort, and results of screening are meaningful and use - professionals to work made on the basis of re - ful to promote achievement and health, and to together to view and feedback from develop the resources and materials schools require in readers. A review com - order to undertake quality screening practices. accomplish three ment form will be posted Perhaps you have some thoughts about school important goals: improve with the draft. health screening in your school? Take a survey and the quality and relevance of Now consider the mat - share your ideas at : http://www.surveymonkey.com/ ter of school health s.aspx?sm=7g7nHjOmSD1J6CC0EnYIvw_3d_3d . school health screening screening: time out of The survey will be active until Sept. 30, 2008. Or practices in our state, class for students, teach - contact Dr. Jon Lopez of Millard Public Schools at jt - ers or others needed to [email protected] . Dr. Lopez has agreed to join assure the time, effort, help, results taking time a steering committee working on a process to com - and results of screening are for documentation, re - plete the screening regulations for schools. meaningful and useful to screening, and referrals to While the goals of school health and student families for follow-up. Yes, achievement are intrinsically related (or should be) promote achievement and vision and hearing matter we can’t overlook the fact that healthy school per - health, and to develop the to learning. Yes, an obe - sonnel also are key to the mix, making more effective resources and materials sity epidemic among chil - role models for student and their health behaviors. dren is painfully obvious Now it’s recess time – go out and play for a while! I schools require in order to at school and everywhere undertake quality screening else. Yes, dental issues are the #1 most prevalent practices. chronic disease of children and part of the problem is that people cannot afford dental care, preventive or otherwise. What is the role of the school in all this? Statutes clearly direct schools to participate in the identification of health issues, specifically vision, hearing, and dental, and other conditions as pre - scribed by DHHS. As far as follow-up and remediation of problems, the statutes only direct that parents/guardians are to be notified of the screening results in writing.

SEPTEMBER 2008 NCSA TODAY 17 NCSA ANNUAL REPORT Our First Annual Report BY DR. MIKE DULANEY, Executive Director, NCSA; and DR. DAN ERNST, Associate Executive Director, NCSA

e are very proud to offer our first An - Dr. Bill Kenagy with assistance from Dr. Kent Mann, nual Report to the NCSA membership. Ms. Mary Drew, Dr. Mike Wortman, and Mr. Scott Dod - WYour professional organization contin - son. The NCSA New Superintendents’ Liaison Program is ues to grow and we are very excited about the pro - now in its second year of existence and lead by Dr. grams and services we will implement this coming Dan Ernst. We also have in place a separate program membership year. to provide on-going assistance and resources to first- year special education supervisors and business man - Membership and Dues agers. The NCSA Special Education Supervisor and As of July 29, 2008, the NCSA membership includes Business Manager Mentor Program is intended to be a 1,291 active members, 42 associate members, 520 re - useful way of helping members adjust to their new en - tired members, and 22 student members. For the sec - vironment. ond consecutive year, membership dues will remain Dulaney the same as established by the NCSA Executive Board Legislative Program in 2007. The NCSA Legislative Program will continue to provide a steady stream of relevant and timely information to Member Directory, 2008-09 members during the legislative session. We will face With grateful assistance from our corporate partner, new challenges in the upcoming session, not the least Ameritas®, we will once again provide an NCSA Mem - of which is the impact of term limits on the experi - ber Directory for 2008-09. ence level of lawmakers. The Nebraska Legislature will have at least 15 new members when it convenes on Ernst Professional Development January 7, 2009. The loss of institutional knowledge We have had a very busy and successful year in train - due to term limits will continue to be a concern, es - ing and development. NCSA provided over 40 confer - pecially in light of the very complicated education is - ences and workshops in 2007-08. sues within the control of the Legislature. We all must We all must do our The NCSA is at the forefront when it do our part in assisting current and future lawmakers comes to developing new ways to to understand the full nature of the policy decisions part in assisting provide professional growth. This last they will make. The NCSA will provide leadership in current and future year we introduced our “webinar” this area by offering lawmakers and legislative staff program, which provided over 30 op - the opportunity to learn the basics of such important lawmakers to portunities for members to receive topics as school finance, special education, and early understand the full valuable information without leaving childhood education. nature of the policy their office. NCSA Today Magazine decisions they will Mentor Programs The NCSA Today will not only receive a facelift, it will make. We are very pleased to announce the have a change in format for the 2008-09 membership complete implementation of mentor year and beyond. We will move away from the tradi - programs for all first year school administrators. We tional newsletter format to a much more readable believe this professional association must provide a magazine-style format. And it will be in print with a full complement of services and information to those mailed copy to each member. We plan to issue the individuals new to their respective roles. The NCSA NCSA Today Magazine , printed version, on a quarterly Networking with New Principals Program is in its fifth basis along with supplemental email versions in be - year of existence. This outstanding program is lead by tween printed issues.

18 NCSA TODAY SEPTEMBER 2008 NCSA ANNUAL REPORT

EHA Issues this past membership year to develop and approve a The NCSA delegation to the Educators Health Alliance three-year NCSA Strategic Plan for the organization (EHA) Board of Directors has provided the necessary that focuses on: leadership to make important and much needed changes to the EHA healthcare plan. We have suc - (1) Opportunity, including personal and professional cessfully sought resolution to the underwriting rules growth, networking among peers, involvement in var - of the EHA by permanently eliminating the rule relat - ious services and programs; ing to the minimum 50 percent employer contribu - tion. We have been told that the plan may still (2) Advocacy, including interaction with policymak - require a “contribution” rule of some nature, but we ers and influencing policymaking, promoting public assure our members that any such new rule will be school administration, public relations, collaborate ef - sensitive to the needs and wishes of our customers forts with other entities; first and foremost. We also lead the way in providing more information to our members on the activities of (3) Recognition, including honoring members’ ac - the EHA Board of Directors. We now have a newslet - complishments, high-lighting noteworthy achieve - ter, Inside the EHA, which is prepared and distributed ment; and following each meeting of the Board. Finally, we sup - port the concept of hiring a plan administrator who (4) Support, including intervention on behalf of in - will be employed by the EHA Board of Directors and dividual members in protection of due process rights who will provide full-time assistance to plan members in contractual matters, intervention on behalf of in - in matters relating to the healthcare plan. dividual members in specialized casework. The full text of the NCSA Strategic Plan may be found online Strategic Plan at http://ncsa.org. I The NCSA Executive Board worked diligently through

Nebraska Council of School Administrators The NCSA: An Umbrella Organization

by Dr. Michael Dulaney Executive Director May 24, 2008

ince its incorporation in 1970, the Nebraska The NCSA Executive Board, the corporate gov- SCouncil of School Administrators (NCSA) has erning body, employs an executive director, who been structured as an umbrella organization for all hires and maintains both professional and support school administrators in the State of Nebraska. An staff. The 16-member NCSA Executive Board is umbrella organization is an association of institu- comprised of three elected representatives from tions, which work together formally to coordinate each active affiliate and one from the retired affil- activities and pool resources. iate. The NCSA operates on a $1.3 million annual budget with funding generated from both dues and In the case of NCSA, one group, the umbrella or- non-dues revenue. The NCSA staff is comprised ganization, provides resources and an identity to the of six members, including the executive director. “affiliate” organizations under the corporate um- brella. Each affiliate organization maintains its own Seventeen state professional organizations for budget, an amount dedicated under the umbrella or- school administrators utilize an umbrella structure ganization budget. Each affiliate organization maintains its own by- similar to the NCSA, including Colorado, North Dakota, Iowa, Cali- laws, constitution, executive board, award programs, committee fornia, Delaware, and Kentucky. Other states have separate organiza- structure, etc. Each affiliate organization is free to establish its own tions for classifications of school administration, including Missouri, agenda so long as the agenda does not contradict or supersede the um- Kansas, Alaska, and Maryland. Some states have an organization for brella organization’s positions, policies, bylaws, and constitution. principals and a separate organization for other school administrators, including Florida, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and New Jersey. The NCSA is comprised of six affiliate organizations: In fact, the trend among state organizations dedicated to school ad- • Nebraska Association of School Administrators (NASA) • Nebraska Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) ministrators is a move toward the umbrella structure. The umbrella • Nebraska State Association of Secondary School Principals (NSASSP) provides several advantages, including enhanced resources, programs • Nebraska Association of School Business Officials (NASBO) and services, and a more unified voice in educational and legislative • Nebraska Association of Special Education Supervisors (NASES) issues. Umbrella organizations provide a more efficient use of senior • Nebraska Association of Retired School Administrators (NARSA) and support staff to meet the needs of the membership.

SEPTEMBER 2008 NCSA TODAY 19 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

SEPTEMBER 10 NSASSP Region II 10:00 a.m. Blair High School Blair 10 NAESP Region I 2:00 p.m. Hamlow Elementary Waverly 17 NSASSP Region I 5:30 p.m. Cortland Grill Cortland 17 NSASSP Region III 2:00 p.m. NECC Norfolk 17 NSASSP Region IV 1:30 p.m. ESU 10 Kearney 17 NAESP Region II 5:00 p.m. Roja Mexican Grill Omaha 17 NAESP Region III 2:30 p.m. NECC Norfolk 17-18 NE Leadership Initiative 5:00 p.m. Civic Center Gering 18-19 NASES/NDE Fall 12:30 p.m. Lied Lodge NE City 25 School Law Update 8:00 a.m. Holiday Inn Kearney 30 NAESP Region V 9:30 a.m. WNCC Sidney 30 NSASSP Region V 9:00 a.m. WNCC Sidney

OCTOBER 1 NASES Region I 9:30 a.m. Crete Public Schools Crete 1-2 NE Leadership Initiative 5:00 p.m. Ramada Inn Kearney 4 NCSA Tailgate TBD NCSA Parking Lot Lincoln 6 Hispanic Latino Summit 8:00 a.m. Embassy Suites - LaVista Omaha 8 NSASSP Region II 5:30 p.m. German-American Society Millard 8 NASA Region II 9:00 a.m. Life Learning Center Norfolk 8-10 Leadership Con. on Assessment Hilton Hotel Omaha 9 NASES Region V 9:00 a.m. Community Center Bridgeport 13 NAESP Region I TBD Doane College Crete 13 Student Conduct Workshop 8:00 a.m. Cornhusker Hotel Lincoln 14 Facilities Management 9:00 a.m. Sandhills Conv. Center North Platte 15 NASA Region IV 10:00 a.m. ESU 10 Kearney 15 NASA Region V 10:00 a.m. Community Center Bridgeport 15-16 NE Leadership Initiative 5:00 p.m. ESU 3 Omaha 17 NASES Region III 12:00 p.m. TJ’s Norfolk 17 Facilities Management 9:00 a.m. Embassy Suites Lincoln 22-23 NE Leadership Initiative 5:00 p.m. Lifelong Learning Ctr. Norfolk 23 NASES Region IV 1:00 p.m. ESU 10 Kearney 27 Paraeducators Conference 8:00 a.m. Holiday Inn Kearney

NOVEMBER 1-2 Grants Management/NCLB 7:00 p.m. Holiday Inn Kearney 6 Hispanic/Latino Summit 8:00 a.m. Embassy Suites LaVista 8-9 LCA Conference 6:00 p.m. Hilton Hotel Omaha 9 NASES Region III 12:00 p.m. Sports Denn Norfolk 12 NSASSP Region II 10:00 a.m. Wilson Middle School Omaha 13 Managing Student Conduct 8:30 a.m. Cornhusker Hotel Lincoln 14 Facilities Management 8:30 a.m. Sandhills Conv. Ctr. North Platte 19 NSASSP Region III 2:00 p.m. NECC Norfolk 19 NAESP Region III 2:00 p.m. NECC Norfolk 19-21 NASB/NASA State Convention 1:00 p.m. Embassy Suites LaVista 27 Paraeducators Conference 8:30 a.m. Holiday Inn Kearney 29 NCSA Executive Board 8:30 a.m. NCSA Lincoln 30 NSASSP Executive Board 10:00 a.m. NCSA Lincoln

DECEMBER 1-2 NSASSP State Convention 5:00 p.m. Holiday Inn Kearney 3 NAESP Region II 5:00 p.m. Indian Creek Country Club Omaha 3 Legislative Preview 8:00 a.m. Cornhusker Hotel Lincoln 5 NASES Region III 12:00 p.m. TJ’s Norfolk 20 NCSA TODAY SEPTEMBER 2008 Discover the power of 2 E V E I H C

Working together, two struggling students A can achieve more than either can alone. With Learning Together’s structured, scripted reading and math interventions, any student who reads at a fourth-grade level can experience the rewards of becoming a tutor and leader. In addition to accelerating A tutee’s mother came up to me academic performance, the one-on-one bond and said that for the first time, becomes a powerful force for developing her son came home and chose to motivation, self-esteem, leadership and read a book rather than play a positive peer relations. video game. Our tutees and tutors Learning Together is presenting through have grown as readers and gained Nebraska’s Educational Service Units and a lot of self-confidence—and it planning regional trainings to maximize your shows in their test scores. professional development resources. Learn Learning Together coordinator how to support student success at Grand Grand Island, Nebraska Island Public Schools’ NCSA presentation on November 21st, or contact us toll free at 1.866.921.0000.

Learning Leading Achieving

Raising student achievement by the power of 2 www.learningtogether.com PRSRT STD. U. S. POSTAGE PAID LINCOLN, NE Nebraska Council of School Administrators PERMIT NO. 951

455 So. 11th Street, Suite A • Lincoln, NE 68508-2105

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2008-09 Membership Renewal Now Underway

With the return of students and teachers to the class - • Networking opportunities with colleagues from room its means it is membership renewal time. My around Nebraska hope is that there was some time for some fun and • Be part of the most influential voice in Legislature relaxing things this summer. If you are like me I had • Eligibility for state and national recognition many things on my to-do list and summer seemed to • Advice and counsel from NCSA's professional staff, fly by. To renew your membership for the 2008-09 including employment contract review school year go to the website www.ncsa.org today and click on Membership Info, then complete the online Please note: form or download the form to fill out. Print a copy • If dues are paid by Nov 1, the active dues are $315. and give to your business office for payment. If payment received after this date, the active dues are $325. NCSA offers a host of services and benefits designed • Membership is not considered active until payment to enable education leaders to succeed at the chal - is received. lenging task of running today's complex school dis - tricts. Don’t miss out on all of the exciting things “Excellence is not an accomplishment. It is a spirit, a planned for the year. never-ending process.” Lawrence M. Miller

Regular NCSA membership entitles you to: If you need any assistance contact Cami at • Unparalleled professional development at member - [email protected] or call 1-800-793-6272 or 476-8055 ship rates • Access to legal assistance • Subscription to NCSA Today Magazine