| A
description of the meeting, who was there, action items and
the next meeting date.
Executive Council
Executive
Council Meeting
Thursday, February 3rd
Minutes
Present:
Peter Evans, Laurie Singer, David Cobb, Debora Price, Steve
Houghton, Dick Taylor, Joe Bowen, Madeline Young, Jay Nichols,
Laurie Singer, Bruce Gee, Richard Kraemer, Frank Spencer,
Rob Bliss, Bob Stevens Staff: Ray P. & Bob J. Guest: Bill
Kimball
Welcome:
Peter opened the meeting and welcomed folks. We then went
around for introductions.
Approval
of Minutes: Dick K. moved and Dave C. seconded. Minutes of
November 18, 2004 approved.
Reports:
President’s
Report – Peter talked about recent involvements that
he has recently had.
- Aspiring
Principals Workshop
- HSOM Work – partnering with DOE to find ways to support
principals in helping schools move along HSOM lines. Peter
was involved with the visit to Barre/Spaulding and it was
a positive experience: relevance, rigor and relationships
in high school programs.
- VELA Board member. He explained the VELA Legacy Project
to help leadership understand roles.
- NASSP Conference in San Francisco in February.
- Will be traveling to China with Asian Studies program to
learn about administrative support in China.
NAESP
Report – Dave C. talked about the Zone 1 colleagues
meeting and there was a discussion about the merger study
not taking place. NAESP is looking for suggestions for give-aways
at the national conference. He mentioned the Capitol Contact
program that is run by Sally McConnell at NAESP. VPA will
exhibit on Saturday. We share the space with New Hampshire
and Maine. He gave out the NAESP Federal Relations report.
Dave Cobb showed the Gold Buster Plus Award for improved membership.
Dana Folsom’s term for Zone Director is up and there are two
candidates for replacement. We will have Kelly send out letters
to solicit gifts for the conference.
NASSP
Board Report – Bruce G. discussed the upcoming national
convention: Taking Charge of Learning. Breaking Ranks II training
is happening around the country. He mentioned that he was
disappointed that the merger study will not go further. Even
if there weren’t a merger, there would have been suggestions
for new work together. He mentioned that they are “holding
their breath” with the new Secretary of Education. Membership
is a big focus of NASSP because it has been going done in
recent years. Student leadership is up. He talked about leadership
changes at NASSP. High school reform agenda for Bush. Peter
E. asked if we would have any role in the secondary school
assessment program Bush is reporting.
Federal
Relations Report – Dick T. gave a brief report and
mentioned that there is not a lot to report on educational
issues at this time. He will be going to D. C. in a few weeks
and asked for suggestions of what he can share with the delegation.
IDEA has been re-authorized. Dick mentioned that his time
is up as Federal Relations Report, and we discussed how to
fill the role. He discussed the role, including the two meetings.
He recommended that it be someone from the Executive Council
be the Federal Relations Coordinator. We discussed the options,
including Dick continuing, or someone takes over. Dick recommended
that someone else do it. Dick K. recommended that we sleep
on it. Madeline expressed an interest.
Guest:
Bill Kimball – Vermont Education Data Warehouse Project
Vermont
Data Consortium is made up of twenty supervisory unions. The
board has reps from all the supervisory unions. One of his
handouts had the slides from a Power Point presentation on
the data warehouse. He then discussed information from the
handout. These become decision-making tools. It would allow
you to pose a question and then redefine the question to dig
deeper. He mentioned Richard Cate’s desire to partner with
the consortium to make it more efficient. Richard offered
to support the staffing for one FTE. They are now in contract
negotiations this week and hopefully they will release who
the vendor is in the next few weeks. The cost of the personnel
for the next five years will be about $2.7 million. The state
required independent review came back as extremely positive
and cited VDC as a model program that should be replicated.
There is more comprehensive data on the slides.
He then
reviewed the information on the handout that listed options
and costs for becoming a new member of the Vermont Data Consortium.
Jay Nichols
recommended that this paid for out of the Education Fund and
asked if this discussion is happening. Bill mentioned the
discussion with VSA. Ray reported that the discussion is taking
place. Frank Spencer asked about day-to-day use relative to
the warehouse. Bill said it won’t be the daily transaction
vehicle, but you could ask a question like: Of kids taking
this course, how are they doing on NSRE. Frank asked how that
data with integrate with the warehouse. The RFP asked for
that feature: “extract, translate and load.” Frank restated
the question to ask how “user friendly” it would be. Bill
said there would be a step by step procedure. The VDC will
help with this process as part of the membership. Jay asked
if they can do comparisons to other schools on local assessments.
Bill said that will be able to be done. Peter asked if it
will help schools develop a student profile. Bill said that
it would. He also said they would build templates as requests
come in. For example, if people want to know how free and
reduced males in ninth grade do. Steve H. asked about validity
of the data if all the data isn’t there. Frank asked why some
districts haven’t joined. Bill responded that cost is one
factor. Also, some are saying, we’ll buy in when it really
happens. Dick K. expressed his feelings that the process has
been great because it has been developed by people in schools.
Bill stressed that DOE is listening and has been a good partner.
Requests
from Ray:
Phil Fiermonte,
from Bernie Sanders office, called and asked for a member
of the Executive Council to be on a panel about NCLBA on February
24th at the Pavilion Auditorium in Montpelier, Jay Nichols
is pretty sure he can do it, and Rob Bliss will be back up
if Jay can’t do it.
Ray asked,
on behalf of Senator Collins, for two people to testify to
the Senate Transportation Committee on a bill that will be
sponsored by the Senator that would allow schools to use other
vehicles besides school busses for field trips and special
events. Dave Cobb will testify in person and Jay Nichols by
phone.
Reports
(continued):
NFHS
Board Report – Steve H. reported about the meeting
in Hilton Head and talked about the possible separation of
the NFHS and NIAAA. He also mentioned the Runs Deep program.
They also had a presentation form Medtronics on defibrillators.
He mentioned the strategic planning committee that Ray serves
on. He mentioned that the football committee would no longer
meet with the Executive Director’s at the winter meeting.
Frank S. mentioned a sports article in Sports Illustrated
about a national championship cross-country meet that wasn’t
sanctioned. He mentioned other national tournaments. He felt
that NFHS should be on top of this. Ray talked about the problems
of dealing with it.
NASSP
Report – Bob talked about the folding of the merger
study and the election of the president-elect.
Committee
Reports -
- Small
Schools Conference: Joe Bowen reported on the progress of
the committee to plan a small schools conference. We will
host a one-day session for administration and guidance in
March.
- Mentoring
Committee: Laurie S./Madeline Y. gave an update of the work
of the committee to provide mentoring for young principals.
The group is meeting again to develop a survey to get out
to principals to get a sense of the need and suggestions.
They explained what has been done so far, and the work to
be done. We also discussed the idea of hiring personnel to
mentor around the state. Ray mentioned Elaine’s work to convene
a group.
- Middle
Level Committee: Laurie S. talked about the two meetings that
we have had. She mentioned that the charge seemed a bit fuzzy.
We discussed how to expand the role of middle level verbiage
in our by-laws to deal with instruction, not just athletics.
How do we let people know about best practices? We talked
about working with the other middle level organizations and
Ray has asked to be invited to join the next VAMLE meeting.
We talked about getting “Middle Still Matters” out to all
schools. How do we maintain good middle level practices with
NCLBA and the move to K-8?
ASLA: Ray P. discussed the status
VPA/VI
Planning: Ray P. Jay moved, Madeline Y. seconded
to have us be the financial agent. Passed unanimously. The
Executive Council supported the idea of presenting the principals
awards at the summer leadership academy.
Executive
Director’s Report - Ray presented the following information,
- He announced
that H.P. Hood/Booth Brothers is a new sponsor for the VPA
Basketball Tournaments for this year.
- See the handout for an update on professional development
activities.
- See the handout on the VBR/VPA Medallion Schools Program.
- Upcoming meetings details:
March 31st – Burr & Burton
May 3rd - Annual Meeting and Hall of Fame Dinner
August 10th and 11th – Executive Council Retreat at Willow
Pond in Manchester.
Director
of Student Activities Report – Bob reported on the
following programs (please see the information on the memo
provided by Bob.)
- Positive
Coaching Alliance
- VPA/VSADA
Sportsmanship Photo Contest – After talking about this program,
Steve asked what was being done with examples of poor sportsmanship.
Bob reported about the new rule that says that if a team has
three disqualifications, the team has to meet with ASC before
they can complete in the playoffs. He also discussed the contacts
he makes with schools when he hears with of situations of
poor sportsmanship. Peter E. talked about the experience he
and Dot Blake had in trying to have students discussed this
issue. The kids weren’t concerned. It was amazing to the adults
what the kids feel is appropriate chanting. There was a broad
discussion about sportsmanship expectations. Bob stressed
that the sportsmanship committee is doing very good work.
Bob S. expressed his concerns about the division one tournament
at UVM. Joe B. talked about the problems that are caused by
poor officiating.
- Hazing
Workshops
- Professional
Development Opportunities for Coaches
- National
Spelling Competition
- ASC
Recommendation: ASC recommends dance as an exhibition activity
for the 2005-06 school year. It would be evaluated next year
and then a decision to go further. Dick K. moved and Bob S.
seconded. Dance falls under the NFHS umbrella under the Spirit
guide. They hope to have guide and rules written for next
year. Motion passed.
Bob S.
asked Bob to work with Mike Donaghue to develop an article
on sportsmanship.
Dave C.
talked about his views on officiating and how and why it works
in some places better than others. He suggested that we ask
the officials committee to look into assignors for sub varsity
games.
Frank
S. asked about the issue of official’s pay, etc. Bob and Ray
responded. Frank recommended that we get the information out
again.
Bob S. asked about three-man officiating. Bob talked about
the letter he is drafting.
VPA –
What it is, What it Should Be
Peter
introduced the topic and then asked Dick T. to discuss the
structuring discussion that took place before the search for
new professional staff for the VPA. He also mentioned that
the Executive Council made it clear in the search that the
professional side had to be improved.
Laurie
S. felt that based on the contacts, it didn’t seem to be the
desire to break into two groups. Then the discussion was more
on how to make it work together, but by accenting the professional
side.
Frank
S. feels that the perception about the VPA has changed within
the membership but not to the outside world. He feels that
we have made major strides on the professional side. He posed
three questions:
If another
group ran athletics,
1. How
would each of our professional lives change?
Bruce
G. asked if the job would be worse if we didn’t run it. He
feels that we are in control and the comfort and knowing that
the school can control. Joe B. mentioned that he recently
was on a hiring committee for a sheriff. As principals, we
are not all jocks and it is a mixed group and it makes it
saner. There is a global perspective and it is a part of the
culture of your school. Jay N. talked about the relationship
with teaching and coaching. How can the VPA help all kids,
including their activities? “I can’t think of another entity
who can do a better job.” Ray said that he felt that one of
the questions should be “what’s best for kids.” Rob B. talked
about the fantastic progress on the professional side that
has been made in a short time. Dick K. appreciates the conversation
and he wondered if we should rename the Activities Standards
Committee to a name that does not include the VPA. Bob S.
said that he wouldn’t trivialize it, but he’s proud of the
association. Bob J. talked about the reality of activities
will always get more press. However, he talked about the current
set-up as having good perspectives is important. He mentioned
all the work that Ray does with NFHS and the amazing number
of hours he spends on the professional side. Bruce responded
to Dick’s idea of separating the names. He felt that they
would still be the heaviness. Madeline Y. said “I can’t imagine
the VPA without the athletics piece. As far as I am concerned
that is the cornerstone.” She mentioned that even though she
is not an athlete, her students look up to the high school
students. She feels that the leadership piece completed the
VPA. It gave people who weren’t involved in athletics can
also be involved. Laurie S. said that there are some things
that we have to remember including all the time that Ray spends
in the legislature. She mentioned that we have to discuss
activities instead of athletics. Frank S. said that he appreciated
this discussion, and that he agrees with almost everything
that has been said. He said, he can envision being a member
of the VPA and a separate council, such as the Vermont Interscholastic
Athletic Council. He is concerned that if we hit a good issue,
all the good work will get crushed. He feels we have made
tremendous strides, he doesn’t want it to be wiped out. Jay
N. thanked Frank for being the conversation forward. Bruce
talked about the positive change in advocacy. Bob S. feels
we are in better shape than we’ve ever been, but he is worried
about all the veterans that are leaving the professional.
2. Does
our connection to athletics help or hinder our achievement
of our mission?
Bob S.
says it is not a hindrance; it is part of educating the whole
child. It’s more work, but it’s important. He felt that we
are heading in the direction we need to go. Jay feels it is
a hindrance, but it is the hindrance worth taking. The VPA
has made gains in a very short period of time. She cited some
of the efforts. She said that she is very proud.
3. Is it the junk food of our existence?
Peter
wrapped up the discussion. Frank thanked the group and said
that it was the best discussion about the VPA that we’ve ever
had.
Ideas
for getting the word out
- form
a sub group to develop a once a month parents newsletter.
- Cut and paste “VPA Work Continues” from the musings and
share with parents and staff.
- Write letters to the editor or an article in “My Turn”
Friday,
February 4th
Present:
Peter Evans, Laurie Singer, David Cobb, Debora Price, Steve
Houghton, Dick Taylor, Joe Bowen, Madeline Young, Jay Nichols,
Laurie Singer, Bruce Gee, Richard Kraemer, Frank Spencer,
Bob Stevens Staff: Ray P. & Bob J. Guest: Linda Shiller
Peter
presented Dick K. with a gift certificate to thank him and
his wife for hosting us yesterday.
Reports
(continued):
Legislative
Committee – Jay Nichols discussed the recent meeting
that we had last week and mentioned the importance of local
reps being invited into the schools. He mentioned that there
will be opportunities to testify at the state house. He also
mentioned the legislative updates that the VSBA, VSA and VPA
co-author.
Federal
Relations Coordinator
Peter
asked for thoughts on this issue. Laurie said that she liked
the idea of the position staying on the Executive Council.
Dick T. agreed that it should be an Executive Council person.
Dave Cobb nominated Madeline for the position. Dick Taylor
seconded. Madeline was approved unanimously.
Strategic
Plan Status Report
Ray and
Bob gave brief updates on the highlights of the work on the
strategic plan that was sent out in the status report.
Draft
of the Strategic Plan
There
was a discussion on the draft activities under each of the
three vision statements in the plan. Ray explained the process
to date, and the draft presented was based on the input he
had received.
After
the discussion, Richard K. moved, Bob S. seconded the approval
of the draft strategic plan with the additional activity under
vision statement two dealing with communicating about the
VPA to the broader community. Motion approved.
Ray P.
will revise the draft based on the motion and get it out to
the membership for one more round of feedback. He asked for
feedback on the following statement to cover the motion:
5. Insure
that the mission and vision of the VPA is communicated to
the broader community, ie. Media, parents, staff, etc.
Legislative
Updates: Ray handed out the memo from the Education
Coalition about ACT 150. He also handed out the report from
the Grafton Conference on Public School Choice. He, Joe Bowen
and Madeline Young participated.
Guest:
Linda Shiller, VSAC Director of Outreach (see packet)
Linda
gave information about the various programs that VSAC offers
to support schools and students. Talent Search was in schools
for over 30 years ago.
Gear Up
Program
Title
IV money for providing college access as well as opportunities
for more rigorous course work before going to college. Program
formed to help schools in either cohort approach or individual
student approach. Gear Up Schools have to meet the 50% free
and reduced lunch criteria. But they also provide services
to schools through workshops, trainings, etc. The outreach
counselors in each region are in the schools at least monthly.
Forty-six schools are considered Gear-Up school. They offer
services to the school through a partnership agreement. They
center on work to improve rigor and professional development.
Serve three roles: work with highest needs students to give
them same opportunities, swerve the school and community and
the school improvement piece through Gear Up.
She will
now be working on a new grant and is seeking input. How does
VSAC get the money to where it is most needed? Identified
schools would be considered priorities. She asked for input
on resources needed. The following ideas were offered:
• Workshops
for principals to support instructional leaders. Support leadership
institutes.
• Literacy programs
• Support NCLB
• Parent involvement
• Dual enrollment (College Connections, Linking Learning to
Life) Bob J. mentioned the arrangement with Lyndon where one
third each paid for by parents, school and Lyndon. Ray mentioned
current work.
• Regional offerings in partnership with VPA for leadership
workshops and school planning workshops
The grant
is due early April. They will be notified in July and will
start in September.
Career
Planning
She mentioned
the task force on career planning that she previously convened.
This is their area of expertise. All VSAC people have Masters
and two-thirds as counselors. How do we get message out that
things that could be done don’t have to be add-ons. They do
offer workshops for kids on career planning. So they started
thinking about what could be done for schools to make notion
of career planning embedded into the curriculum. Through a
grant, they now have two-full time career development counselors.
They have a software program for a career program that replaced
Choices. They are also developing a curriculum that will be
distributed to schools on a CD. They are sponsoring a Career
Planning Conference on May 24th at VTC. In the fall, they
will do another conference with national speakers.
They are anxious to offer career development workshops for
8th graders in all schools so that they can have these workshops
before they make choices for their high school schedules.
Ray will put out a notice in the musings about this opportunity.
Bruce recommended that VSAC present at faculty meetings about
offerings.
Linda
also talked about the need for letters of support and will
email Ray for one from the VPA.
Legislative
Updates (continued):
1. Ray
handed out the memo from the Education Coalition about ACT
150. After a lengthy discussion, we couldn’t come to consensus
on the money matters and the size of the regions. After lunch,
Frank gave another idea of schools not losing money and the
state paying the difference between ed support grant and allowable
tuition for the receiving school.
Draft Nutrition and Wellness Policy. After a great deal of
discussion about the impractical nature of many of the components,
Frank S. moved and Richard K. seconded the following resolution:
Resolution:
The Vermont Principals' Association recognizes the importance
of communities working together to promote fitness and wellness.
However, it was difficult for the Executive Council to find
and support the positive elements of this draft policy because
of the overwhelming number of impractical elements that it
made it difficult to take this document seriously. For example,
the impact of increased requirements for physical education
instruction on any school's personnel, facilities and core
instruction is one of many components from the policy that
diminishes the credibility of the document. (Passed unanimously
by the VPA Executive Council on February 4, 2005)
Comments:
Positive Elements:
• Rationale
• Curriculum statements
• minimizing interruptions to PE classes
Concerns/Comments:
• Some members are very worried that this will turn into a
mandate.
• Items I.C.3 & 4 may be contradictory base on cost factors.
• There were concerns about the foods on school grounds being
under the management of the school food service program. The
general consensus was that this should be a local decision
based on a variety of factors.
• The notion that "careful consideration will be given
to scheduling recess and other physical activities before
lunch" was generally agreed to be an example of a suggestion
that questions the credibility of the document and the department.
Obvious scheduling and staffing issues arise and there was
concern that if the department doesn't understand that and
presents a policy with what is believed to be such an impractical
statement that in itself is a problem.
• As mentioned in the resolution, the overwhelming reaction
to the increased physical education was non-support for reasons
such as: impact on personnel; impact on facilities; if time
for PE increases, what decreases, impact on core instruction,
etc.
• Another statement that was considered ideal, but impossible
to implement was that physical education be taught by "....teachers
trained in best practices." We know the importance of
hiring licensed, qualified teachers, but are not sure how
to know whether the pre-service programs from the scores of
colleges would meet that standard.
• There was great deal of concern expressed about the required
recess time for preK through 8 and also for the other items
under "Recess."
• We believe that III.B (Interscholastic Sports) should not
be included.
• Section III.C (Before and After-School Programs) also has
a financial impact due to staffing needs.
|
