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description of the meeting, who was there, action items and
the next meeting date.
Executive Council
Executive
Council Meeting
November 18, 2004
Minutes
Present: Peter E., Dave C., Joe B., Debi P., Steve H., Rob
B., Jay N., Frank S., Laurie S., Dick T., Bob S. and Madeline
Y. Staff: Ray Pellegrini and Bob Johnson
1. Peter
opened the meeting and welcomed Debi Price as a new member.
Debi gave a brief description of her experiences and talked
about her excitement in joining the EC. Peter mentioned the
very competitive pool of candidates and how her name rose
to the top.
2. Jay
N. moved that the minutes of August 11th & 12th and September
17th be approved. Seconded by Dick K. Minutes approved.
3. Reports
a. Presidents Report
Peter
talked about what he has been involved in as VPA President
so far:
• Peter talked about the value of the trip to D.C. in the
summer for state leaders.
• Peter talked about the successful joint meeting at the State
House, but suggested that we consider changing the format.
• High Schools on the Move work as committee member and his
attendance at the kick-off event on October 21st. He talked
about the Commissioner’s goal of visiting every Vermont High
School between now and June 2006.
• Peter was involved with our workshop for new and almost
new principals, entitled New Faces In New Places.
• He is on the TASS Committee –DOE and state colleges putting
together a grad program on differentiation of instruction.
• He is one of the VPA reps on the VELA Board.
• He helped out at the Division II State finals in soccer.
• Last week, he was one of the presenters at our last session
of the VPA Principals’ Leadership Institute workshop.
• He is looking forward to the NASSP Convention that will
be held in San Francisco in February.
b. NAESP
Report
Dave C.
handed out a report and then gave a brief summary of the report
(see report). Laurie S. talked about some other highlights/ideas
she got from other states: Principal for a Day program for
legislators, legislators breakfast (put on agenda for leg.
Mtg.), hotline number for lawyer help, recognition day for
secretaries (NH does this, with underwriting from Horace Mann),
credit from work in other states towards retirement, and some
states put “protection of benefits for principals” in their
strategic plans.
c. NASSP
Report
Bob S.
reported about the region one meeting that he, Ray and Bruce
went to in Concord a few weeks ago. Talked about having three
members on the NASSP
Board and that Joe Mitello is running for NASSP President.
The region therefore has a strong voice at the national level.
He discussed some of the issues around the merger study and
that some of the elementary folks are concerned. However,
he also mentioned that Region One unanimously supported the
study. Ray gave some information on the merger study: what
will be accomplished and by when. The study will recommend
whether or not it is feasible to merge. If the answer is no,
the report will recommend further steps the two associations
can take to do more together. Ray also noted that this study
will present recommendations by next fall. Then the national
board of each association will decide next steps. If there
is a recommendation for merger, the memberships of each association
would have to approve.
d. Federal
Relations Report
Dick T.
talked about the merger from the Federal Relations standpoint.
He echoed that the greatest potential for the merger will
be having a more powerful lobby. Dick T. discussed Jeffords
negative vote based on IDEA not having full funding attached.
NCLB is going to be reconsidered, but changes will not be
significant. Dick T. reiterated that members of our delegation
are strong educational advocates.
e. Executive
Director’s Report
• Established
Process for Strategic Plan Revision:
By November
19th Gather input from membership
By January 15th Draft revised plan and send to EC members
By February 3rd & 4th Executive Council Retreat-Discuss
and revise draft
By February 11th Disseminate draft plan to membership for
feedback
By March 15th Final revisions to plan sent to EC members
March 31st Executive Council Meeting-Approve VPA Strategic
Plan
• Choir
Festivals-As previously discussed during the September 17th
conference call, Ray recommended that we form a committee
to make a proposal for full-choir festivals. Motion by Joe
Bowen, seconded by Dave Cobb for us to investigate sponsoring
choir festivals next year. Motion passed.
• Final
Audit Report: After a brief discussion about the increases
in sponsorships and conference revenues, and student council
expenses, Bob S. moved to accept the report and Frank S. seconded.
Motion passed
f. Director
of Student Activities Report
• Bob
handed out a report about activities
• Bob gave an update on the fall tournaments. We had very
smooth competitions and once again the weather cooperated.
Unfortunately, due to a variety of factors, including some
schools having both boys and girls in the finals, we had reduced
attendance and therefore revenue compared to the budgeted
amounts.
• Report on Team Spelling competition.
• Update on National Spelling competition. Bob discussed the
work he is doing
with the Department of Ed, the Humanities Council and the
Burlington Free
Press. We will have an individual competition this year.
• Update on partnership with Positive Coaching Alliance. This
has been a very
successful venture so far this year. We will continue the
partnership and
offer the workshops yearly.
• Bob gave a report on the Dance committee and mentioned that
they would make a recommendation to the Activities Standards
Committee at their January
meeting.
• Bob gave an update on divisional alignments.
Frank
S. was concerned about the notion of big schools going down
to lower divisions. Bob explained the process that is usually
used.
g. “Arts
Matter” Discussion with guests-Anne Taylor, Executive Director
of the Vermont Alliance for Arts Education and Gail Kilkelly,
Arts Consultant for DOE.
Anne Taylor
presented he video, “Arts Matter.” She gave a brief description
of the VAAE offerings to arts educators. Ray talked about
the importance of supporting arts education in the schools
and fears how some schools may respond to NCBLA sanctions.
He will get info out in the musings about links between arts
and learning. Joe talked about the impact of ACT 68 on arts
due to lower enrollment.
Frank
suggested that VAAE get out info on link between art and learning.
He used the example of correlation between sports and academics.
He felt that the info about arts education needs to come out
constantly. Anne discussed some ideas. He felt the VPA should
recognize students for involvements for other activities besides
sports. Ray mentioned the Scholar-Activity Participant Certificate
of Merit that we do give out for seniors who have maintained
a certain grade point average and have “participation in a
Vermont Principals’ Association sponsored sport or activity
(drama, music festival, etc.) in Vermont for at least two
years.
Bob S.
asked what more can we do. Some ideas: VPA Certificates for
arts instead of sports only, more info on correlation, target
parents for information, check out relation to arts and lower
dropout rates, regional arts shows, local arts shows.
Gail K.
encouraged all of us to use Gail as a resource. She can talk
to parents and school boards. Richard made the commitment
by creating this new position. She will get her contact info
out once she has her new number. Frank suggested that Gail
survey how schools are seeing that schools meet the standards
in arts education. Anne Taylor said that in a survey three
years ago, they found that schools weren’t including art in
their action plans.
h. Restructuring
discussion: Ray and Bob explained their views on the validity
of staying together and not restructuring of the VPA. They
feel that for it works for Vermont. Laurie talked about the
revisioning when a new Executive Director was being hired.
She felt we already had this discussion. But Dick K said that
he and Frank were not part of that discussion. He explained
in a thumbnail why he brought that up. He felt that we are
still known mostly as running the activities. Dave C. talked
about the prior discussion. He re-framed the question.
i. Bess
O’Brien –Kingdom County Productions – She talked about her
documentary, Here Today, on the Heroin Issue. The discussions
afterwards centered around, what can we do for our kids. She
then went to the kids and asked them what they think.. She
created a project to get ideas from teen voices and created
a musical for about 14 different towns. Voices Project – It
has been going for a year. They spent 8 months talking to
kids in 65 workshops around the state. Bess did about 30 and
hired others to work with the students. 42 interviews with
kids (diverse group- Woodside, teenage moms, accelerated learning).
They also had a web site and kids could log on . So far, there
have been 1200 kids involved in the project so far/. Sept
and Oct. they are going through all the materials. They just
finished that process. This week, they started to write the
script. Bess and assoc. producer and six kids are writing
the script. They also did an all call for music to be sent
in. It will be monologues, themes, stories, etc. They have
chosen 12 kids to work with professional musicians (Trey from
Phish, etc.). That process will continue until April. And
then in April and May they will have auditions in six or seven
places across the state for kids for the plays. After the
play is cast, then there will be a three-week rehearsal period
in August at JSC and then tour this thing in Sept. and October.
Her questions:
-will some of our schools host. Let her know if you want to
host a show. Her number is 592-3190
-they will do a CD of the soundtrack and a video of the production.
Every school will get both, plus a script
-Can kids get some credit for this.
-there may be kids from our schools that get cast . It will
be for four weekends in the fall. Bus and truck tour-dropped
off and then they will be together all weekend.
-Could they do matinees at school. Will they be allowed to
skip school for an occasional matinee.
-It is primarily for high school (13-19)
-she gave out a handout about the project.
- kids needed for tech stuff.
Thoughts
from EC
• Frank
S. expressed the concern about release time, but said he would
give them the same consideration as sports. He thought having
a matinee would be very powerful.
• Bob S. said he would love to assist with kids, and credit
is no issue. He gave the example of the ski program release,
Mid-term exams were discussed as a possible issue for the
timing of performances of the show.
• It is school by school on issues of credit. Peter mentioned
that most schools have an independent study option.
• Frank recommended A sheet that talked about time commitment
and what they would learn.
• Bob S. said he would share his independent Study form.
j. Administrative
Shortages
Guests:
Jill Mackler, Elaine Pinckney, Scott Blanchard, Jeff Francis,
John Nelson, Doug Harris, Nicki Saginor
Framed
by Peter, Ray and Elaine: what can we do to improve the situation
of administrative shortages. Elaine talked about IAL ending
and mentioned that Nicki suggested the leftover money be used
for summer leadership. Jill also suggested that the money
could go for other conferences. Elaine said that nowhere in
DOE does it say leadership. She posed, how do we support leadership.
Jill Mackler
– It is clear that there are things that need to change about
the job, recognition, etc. Should we lobby legislature about
the importance of the position. There is about $60,000 left
over from profits that will belong to DOE.
Scott
Blanchard – He wrote an email to Richard in March to ask about
having a conversation on the shortage. He explained the small
pools that Solutions for Leadership had for two searches they
did. The problem will continue this year. HE felt there are
two policy issues: shortage and how do you make the jobs doable.
He cited Jill’s work and talked about the frightening aspects
of only 8% of teachers are interested.
Doug Harris
– VI tries to work with leaders in connected ways, curriculum
etc. He discussed the value of the summer leadership academy,
particularly being able to work as administrative teams. He
discussed the notion of up front costs for running the summer
leadership.
Ray Pellegrini
– Talked about the link between summer leadership and the
VPA series.
Jill Mackler
–There is money for HSOM, must be spent by May.,
Bob Johnson-He
felt that he didn’t need more workshops. He felt the opportunities
for trainings were there. He wanted to know how we could bring
it to principals as direct service. He asked if there was
a possibility of having a ‘principal in residence’ for Vermont.
Have them go out into the field to help principals and also
to promote leadership as a profession.
Laurie
Singer-Mentioned the mentoring committee feeling the same
way. People who can be out and helping people in the field.
She also mentioned the link with ASLA and seeking funds from
DOE and legislature.
Jeff Francis-The
shortage of pools also effects the superintendent pool. Although,
generally he feels they have had enough candidates; but sometimes
the matches aren’t always ideal. From a public policy standpoint
the shortage is known by educators but not as well recognized
by legislators or the public at large. Publicly, some people
have feelings about the cost of administration. Cost and quality
needs to be part of the discussion when talking to boards
about administrative needs. Despite the fact that we come
together on this issue, the focus could be characterized as
fits and starts. Principals will leave and be subsumed and
consumed by the day to day realities of the jobs they will
go back to. We’re not really good at staying on course on
anything. DOE for the last 8 years as been ineffective at
doing anything due to change in Commissioners office. He feels
that we now have stability there. We need to look at sustainable,
focused dollars and should deal with qualified leaders with
cost first and quality. John Nelson asked Jeff what he meant
about cost, in this context. Jeff responded that we could
quantify the costs associated with the lack of continuity,
cost of turnover, cost of having to make frequent replacement,.
In an era where there are extraordinary cost pressures, in
simplistic terms, the cost of not having enough people do
the work.
John Nelson
– The shortage and the doable nature of the jobs. He feels
that the shortage is exaggerated-there are enough people licensed.
The doable nature of the job leads to the “shortage” of people
leaving. We need to make the jobs attractive and doable. Roles
and responsibilities are important to deal with. There is
not a one size fits all solution. Local decisions are important.
Rob Bliss
– Are there other places where there are models (states countries)
that accomplish more doable jobs? There are also models for
training teacher leaders.
Jill Mackler
– The younger group cares about the money.
Frank
Spencer – We’ll make progress when and if it is the responsibility
of the Commissioner has the responsibility of hiring principals
for all schools. Once the search is done, it is no longer
a problem for the local community. He does feel compensation
is important. He mentioned that a principal he knows will
become an out of state principal so he can collect his retirement
there. Frank S. supported Bob’s suggestion for a person or
mentors to support people in the field. Check the Brattleboro
Reformer. Leland and Gray has two principals. They brought
in Ray Proulx and he determined that the jobs are unmanageable.
The reporter followed the middle school principal to show
how the job is undoable, and he said we’re all doing it.
Madeline
Young- She had a former colleague who went to NY stae to become
an administrator because of better compensation and because
she can collect VT retirement. There is a variance on how
principals can negotiate. Also talked about how the teachers’
salaries are all lumped but hers stands alone in the budget
report. The state taking over administrators to level the
playing field.
Jay Nichols
– Talked about ASLA and maybe it is not about that.
Jeff Francis
– Having principal in residence or mentors, you are addressing
the symptoms, not the problem of the undoable jobs. He discussed
the colonial nature of our set up. Should we look at the system
to address problems instead of symptoms. We have made some
progress, through governance grants for example. If we are
going to restructure education to make the jobs more doable.
Madeline
Young – Vermont is such a small state. Are there better pools
in other states? Jill reminded us that this is a national
problem.
Doug Harris
– There is a scaling of this problem. Sarasota, Florida. They
identify people as potential administrators, they recruit
them, they train them, etc. But you can’t do that in places
like Charleston. What can they do? Go out find people you
think they could do the job, and then give them the support
they need. Doing it in every district separately is not they
way to have it happen.
Peter
Evans –Where do we go from here?
• Legislatively
we have an opportunity with domination in state house with
Democratic party. They would be inclined to do cost and quality
in ways that are less punitive than the Republicans. Lets
have legislators meet here with members of the three associations.
• Active effort to get an administrator on the retirement
board. Bob Goudreau ran, but lost. That’s why we have computer.
• Conversations with legislators should also happen on local
level.
• Fact sheet, issues problems , bullets, 2 prospect street,
and legislative committee
• When you think about what’s doable, it doesn’t become more
doable when laws are passed with requirements for administrators.
Jeff F. says the most effective testifiers are principals
because they are in the trench. We need to develop ways to
have the legislators know the local context.
Next Meeting: EC Retreat, Feb. 3rd and 4th. Place TBA
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