One of the most important jobs for any school district is to negotiate the yearly master agreement with the local bargaining unit (union). The union is always well prepared and well trained. However, most school board members and administrators are not. In this workshop, we will discuss how to prepare for negotiations, select your negotiations team, organize your data, identify issues to negotiate, and set goals and priorities. We will also discuss who makes the first offer, potential problems and some possible solutions, managing the process (including timing), and the end game or making the final offer.
In this workshop we will discuss the changing best practices for school staff responding to a threat inside and outside their building. We will discuss what the staff can do to empower themselves in the time before police arrive at their building in the event of a violent intruder.
Come learn about a variety of topics relevant in an ever-changing bond market and regulatory environment. These topics include new SEC Municipal Advisor rules which impact relationships between districts and those they hire to secure financing, recent disclosure initiatives, the market’s appetite for Idaho school bonds, recent competitive sale results, and how to pass a bond election. Topics may be slightly revised as we near the presentation date in order to reflect the most relevant and up-to-date information.
This presentation focuses on the elements of school district records policies. Background will be provided on Idaho Public Records law and federal laws, such as FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), that impact records policies. This background sets the stage for a discussion of the purposes and goals of records policy and the power authorizing a school district to adopt records policy. The presentation then focuses on policy guidelines, suggestions, and ideas concerning public records requests and the classification, custody, and maintenance (including proper records destruction) of records.
Attend this informative session to learn more about the current trends in education employment law. Attendees will specifically learn how to avoid whistleblower and first amendment retaliation claims.
Children are being educated by their peers on social media every day. Parents are giving their kids devices that enable predators to contact them 24 hours a day in their own homes and at school. What education do the parents and school leaders need on the dangers of social media? Come to this workshop and get educated on the dangers of social media and what you can do to help protect your children, students, and yourself. We will discuss topics such as: Kids versus Parents; Dangers of Social Media; Current Applications Used; Bullying; Facebook Security; SnapChat; Dangers of GPS on Your Phone; Popular Applications Kids Use; Fellow Classmate Predators; Adult Predators; Scammers; Secret Applications; How to Block Numbers on Your Smartphone; and Cell Phone Security.
Participate in this review of property taxes, changes to the process by the 2014 Legislature, personal property, how to compute maximums, how to complete the forms, where to find the forms on the State Tax Commission’s web page, and more.
Is your school district limited in what classes you are able to offer because of budget constraints? Is your district experiencing declining enrollment or having difficulty recruiting teachers? Are parents asking for more challenging classes for their students? The Idaho Education Network (IEN) can help! The IEN provides live classes from Idaho public school teachers direct to your high school and high-speed bandwidth – free of charge! Come hear from other school districts how they are leveraging the free bandwidth, using videoconferencing to share classes with other schools, and taking virtual field trips all across the country.
A roundtable discussion with Board Clerks. Whether you are new to the position or a veteran, we can all learn from each other and our wide variety of experiences. We will discuss topics including public records, email correspondence, open meeting law, executive session, agendas, minutes, and “hot topics”.
Children are being educated by their peers on social media every day. Parents are giving their kids devices which enable predators to contact them 24 hours a day in their own homes and at school. What education do the parents and school leaders need on the dangers of social media? Come to this workshop and get educated on the dangers of social media and what you can do to help protect your children, students, and yourself. We will discuss topics such as: Kids vs Parents; Dangers of Social Media; Current Applications Used; Bullying; Facebook Security; SnapChat; Dangers of GPS on Your Phone; Popular Applications Kids Use; Fellow Classmate Predators; Adult Predators; Scammers; Secret Applications; How to Block Numbers on Your Smartphone; and Cell Phone Security.
Come learn about the contracting differences between the Agency Construction Manager (presently enjoyed by many school districts) and the new Construction Manager / General Contractor law recently enacted by the Idaho Legislature.
Offering students the opportunity to earn college credit while in high school significantly increases the likelihood those students will go on and complete a postsecondary degree or certificate. The State Board of Education and other policy makers have increased state support for advanced opportunities including dual credit, professional-technical courses, and advanced placement courses in recent years through new programs and more funding. This workshop will detail how those programs are working to help Idaho students succeed after high school. It will include information on the new Fast Forward program ($200 for juniors / $300 for seniors), the 8 in 6 program, early completers, and the State’s new articulation and transfer portal to help students see where and how credits will apply at the postsecondary institution.
Many school districts in Idaho have HVAC/lighting control systems that allow their facilities and energy managers to gather data to analyze and improve efficiency. They use the datasets to develop energy use models and perform statistical analysis based on metered usage and functionality of the HVAC/lighting systems. It doesn’t stop there, many of these systems include software to develop the control logic and create equipment graphics that are used in functional control systems every day. This presentation will examine ways to incorporate this information into a pre-engineering/energy management career curriculum and identify paths to project based awards, potential scholarship opportunities for students and engagement with design teams.
This presentation is an outgrowth of the statewide threat and vulnerability assessment contracted by the SDE and performed in Fall of 2013. Geared to school governance and top administration, attendees will receive information to help them more accurately assess the condition of school safety and security with an included assessment rubric. We will discuss how assessment can be used to improve school safety planning, policy, purchasing, and training. The workshop will also focus on the relationship between threat and vulnerability in K12 schools. This will include information on safety and security in each of the three elements (school community, school operations, and school facilities) and the interaction between the three.
We will discuss eligibility rules associated with hiring retired employees and with the transfer of sick leave from one school district to another school district.
Join Education Networks of America’s Director of Customer Services Garry Lough as he provides an analysis of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) recently released E-rate Modernization Order. Garry will highlight the significant changes within the 176-page order and provide you with the information you need to help your Idaho school district stay ahead of the curve.
Update on transfer of Federal lands to western states and the potential impact on school budgets.
Idaho has raised academic standards in math and English language arts and therefore, must revise its assessment. In 2014, Idaho field tested all students utilizing the Smarter Balanced Assessment. In 2015, students will take the operational test. How does the new ISAT by Smarter Balanced compare to the old one? How will the new ISAT affect accountability ratings? Learn what’s new and different and what is the same about assessment in Idaho and how accountability will be measured for the 2014-2015 school year. This session will provide basic information on the assessment, as well as opportunities to ask questions.
This presentation will help attendees to understand what data is available and how to use that data to inform decisions. We will look specifically at the go-on rates from the high school feedback reports. We will discuss how those rates are calculated and explore ways that schools can use that information to track and improve performance. We will address how to get this information for your school and provide time for questions from attendees.
One of the largest complaints from the public is that school boards and school board members consistently abuse the parameters allowed under the law for Executive Session. This workshop will ensure that you know posting and motion requirements, what can occur during Executive Session, and what happens once Executive Session is over.
Do you have questions about education law? Education law expert, Amy White, will be answering your legal questions. Topics include, but are not limited to, employment, student discipline, executive session, fair labor standards, family medical leave, military leave, Title IX, and more.
This presentation will review the principal levy authorizations schools can implement – supplemental, plant, and bond – and the permitted uses of each. The presentation then will describe whether and how any of these revenue streams can be utilized for facility financing. In particular, the presenters will describe the recent successful judicial confirmation of the Orofino School District’s ability to use plant levy dollars to finance essential upgrades to school facilities.
This workshop is designed to help attendees better understand the recently approved Model Student Data Privacy and Security Policy. We will discuss how this policy impacts districts and public charter schools. We will also discuss the Statewide Longitudinal Data System and the data collected. We will explore what the system is, how it works, and the benefits of the system. There will be ample time for questions from attendees.
Join Friday’s keynote speaker, Dr. Tom Alsbury, and NSBA’s Director, Phil Gore, as they lead you through a board member conflict assessment. This workshop includes a full analysis of a board member’s potential for conflict and resolution.
Finding and understanding education laws and rules can be difficult, but this is critical knowledge for school board members and administrators to have in order to do their jobs effectively. Come learn how to find the information you seek with a click of the mouse. ISBA staff will help attendees access Idaho Code and Administrative Rules, learn the difference between a law and a rule, and navigate the Idaho Legislature’s website. There is a wealth of information at your fingertips if you just know where to look.
Do you have questions about education law? Education law expert, Amy White, will be answering your legal questions. Topics include, but are not limited to, employment, student discipline, executive session, fair labor standards, family medical leave, military leave, Title IX, and more.
The first step in being invited to submit a full grant proposal is the letter of inquiry. Some private and corporate foundations require a letter of inquiry (or letter of intent “LOI”) before they qualify your organization. The information you will provide in the LOI is merely a thumbnail sketch of what would be your full-blown proposal. Participants will learn how to organize the LOI including the introduction, overview of the organization, statement of need, description of the project, and how your program fits the funder’s guidelines for funding support. You will learn to write a LOI that gets the grant administrator’s attention and recommendation for full review of your LOI by the board.
Recent legislation has provided unprecedented funding for high school students to earn college credit through courses and exams under the Advanced Opportunities programs. This workshop will provide a succinct overview of the 8 in 6, Dual Credit for Early Completers, Fast Forward, and Mastery Advancement programs. The majority of the session will focus on specific tools and recommendations for implementation at the local level and will include representation from key partners (colleges / universities, the State Board of Education and IDLA). Ample time will be provided for discussion and troubleshooting local constraints to program adoption.