HeadlinesA News Report for Michigan Education Leaders

October 1, 2013

inside this issue:

Download a Smartphone app to scan the QR code and learn more about MASB.

Driving Innovation in Leadership and Learning2013 Annual Conference & Exhibit Show Focuses on Guidance and 21st Century Education

Michigan’s Best Honors Eight School Districts for Outstanding Programs

Resolution in Support of Common Core State Standards Passes House, Delayed in Senate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Michigan Council of School Attorneys to Hold Its Fall Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Consolidation of Services Example: Service Sharing is Thriving in Muskegon County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Education News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Worth Repeating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

MASB is excited to kick off the new school year by celebrat-

ing this year’s winners of the 2013 Michigan’s Best Award. Seven local districts and one ISD will be receiv-ing $2,500 to help fund their projects, as well as the distinguished honor of being one Michigan’s best school programs. The cash prize is made pos-sible through the thoughtful support of SET SEG School Insurance Special-ists. SET SEG is just as committed to celebrating and supporting school programs as MASB, and has continu-ally increased their financial support over the years.

“We’re being challenged at the national, state and local level to develop innovative approaches to education and its impact on the com-munity,” said Kathy Hayes, MASB

executive director. “These districts have a proven record of success and should be considered as models for other districts across the state.”

Michigan’s Best are selected from the top three programs across nine categories chosen to receive Education Excellence Awards earlier this year. Education Excellence win-

ners receive a trophy, media recogni-tion and a street sign to post outside their school. More than 55 Education Excellence entries were received from districts across the state. Programs are judged by an independent panel of experts in each area based on unique-ness, the critical need served and evi-dence of impact on student achieve-

Michigan’s Best, continued on Page 4

What can you expect for this year’s Annual Conference? Check out this short video to learn more and submit your registration today!

Check Out the Annual Conference Video

In developing the 2013 MASB An-nual Conference & Exhibit Show,

to be held October 24 – 27 at the Lan-sing Center, the desires of the mem-bership were the foundation of each decision. Data and comments gathered through the 2013 Membership Survey and in follow-up to last year’s Annual Conference noted that your key con-siderations when determining whether or not to attend a MASB event are: topics and content relevant to your needs; knowledgeable speakers; conve-nient locations and times; reasonable

Conference, continued on Page 6

www.masb.org • MASB Headlines • October 1, 20132

415 W. Kalamazoo Street Lansing, MI 48933 | 1-800-292-5421 | www.setseg.org

CONGRATULATIONSTO OUR 2013 AWARD WINNERS

Each year, eight members from the SEG Workers’ Compensation Fund and MASB-SEG Property/Casualty Pool are recognized for their dedication and outstanding efforts to increase safety

awareness and standards to reduce claims.

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

Chelsea School DistrictFrankfort-Elberta Area Schools

Montcalm Area ISDSt. Joseph ISD

PROPERTY/CASUALTY

Anchor Bay School DistrictBreitung Township SchoolsHanover-Horton SchoolsNorthville Public Schools

www.masb.org • MASB Headlines • October 1, 2013 3

On September 26, the House of Representatives debated

House Concurrent Resolution (HCR) 11 which authorizes the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) to use resources to implement the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). The resolution also included conditions MDE must meet regarding Common Core and statewide assessments.

Conditions include requiring that MDE and the State Board of Education conduct a review of all available student assessment tools and submit a report to the Legislature by December 1, and that the CCSS can-not prescribe a particular curriculum or method of instruction. HCR 11 does not express direct support for the Smarter Balanced Assessment. Instead it requires the review of assessment tools and sets limits on what student data collected by an assessment tool can be released and to whom. Click here to read the full text of the resolution.

HCR 11 was passed by the House by a vote of 85-21; it is now before the Senate for its consideration. The Senate Committee on Education and Appropriations Subcommittee on School Aid will begin hearings on the issue on Wednesday, October 2 at 2 p.m. in the Senate Hearing Room of the Boji Tower in Lansing. However, the budget bill that passed this spring banning MDE from expending resources to implement CCSS goes into effect today, October 1.

MDE distributed a memo yesterday via email to superintendents, princi-

pals and education-related organiza-tions outlining the effects of ending all CCSS support. It noted concerns raised when the budget was first debated, including violating the state’s No Child Left Behind (NCLB) waiver, and as a result, most of our school districts are not meeting the required Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) and thereby receiving federal sanctions. The current federal flexibility waiver runs through the 2013-2014 school year, but work on the renewal of the waiver will cease on October 1 until the Legislature takes affirmative action on Common Core.

The MDE memo also states, “We are unclear yet as to MDE’s ability to flow federal dollars through to local and intermediate school districts. We are clear, though, that MDE will not be able to process federal Title I Consolidated Applications, or keep open the Michigan Online Resource

for Educators (M.O.R.E.) online portal for educators and students.” Read the full memo here.

MASB President Ruth A. Coppens recently wrote an op-ed urging the Senate to act to reimplement Common Core funding. MASB sup-ports the Standards and our school districts that have already taken steps to apply CCSS, some of which are almost fully implemented. Ms. Coppens, a member of the Saginaw Intermediate School District Board, summed up the Standards’ impor-tance in her article, “The Standards are important because they define student expectations, but they depend on everyone involved in education—caring parents, dedicated teachers, supportive administrators and knowl-edgeable local officials—to do their jobs to make them real.”

MASB continues to work with its

Legislative UpdateResolution in Support of Common Core State Standards Passes House, Delayed in Senate

Common Core, continued on Page 8

Now that the Legislature is back in session, don’t miss the weekly News From the Capitol emails distributed by the MASB Government Relations Department every Friday .

Keep up-to-date and find out what’s happened in Lansing over the last week .Sign-up on the MASB website and view the archive of legislative alerts and

updates here .If you have any questions, contact Jennifer Smith, assistant director for

government relations, at jsmith@masb .org .

www.masb.org • MASB Headlines • October 1, 20134

ment.The districts will be honored at

a luncheon in Lansing on October 26 during the 2013 MASB Annual Conference, and the highest honor in the Education Excellence program, Best of the Best, will be announced.

For complete information on the 2013 Education Excellence program including all of the nominees, visit the EdEx page on the MASB website.

Community Engagement Student Organization of Aquatic RoboticsDollar Bay High School, Dollar Bay Tamarack City Schools

The Student Organization of Aquatic Robots (SOAR) is an inno-vative program that puts a student’s problem-solving skills to the test against real-life problems. Isle Royale National Park rangers have been try-ing to determine how far the invasive zebra mussel species have advanced in the park. The SOAR program designed, built and programed two remote-operated vehicles for the park rangers to use to gather the neces-sary data to make this determination. The students also trained the rang-ers on how to use the equipment. The program provided students with a real-world application of science, math and engineering skills, but most importantly, taught students the value of giving back to the community by

volunteering their knowledge and time to the park. Their contribution may have a major impact on how the park will deal with the zebra mussel population in the near future.

Creativity and the ArtsSinging Christmas TreeMona Shores High School, Mona Shores Public Schools

For 28 years, Mona Shores High School has kicked off the holiday season with its nationally known Singing Christmas Tree program. Presented by the MSHS Choir, last fall’s was America’s largest singing tree yet, including over 350 students and hundreds of parent volunteers. Choir and orchestral musicians in the ninth-twelfth grades learn a challeng-ing, varied repertoire to be prepared for the concert. The program teaches teamwork through learning the set and, most importantly, challenging the students to become all they can be through their hard work and effort.

Engineering & MathCollege Prep Algebra & GeometryCrestwood High School, Crestwood School District

Using the term “smart curricu-lum” perfectly matches the College Prep Algebra & Geometry program Crestwood High School is using. By using student results from the PLAN test, CHS is adapting classes to benefit a student’s areas requiring improvement compared to running on a schedule of topics. Each class is now on its own schedule rather than an overlapping schedule for all the classes. For example, one class may be struggling with slope-intercept while the next is struggling with multiple variable equations. With the College Prep Algebra & Geometry program in place, each class works longer on what they are struggling on. This allows students to focus on trouble areas and spend less time on areas where they are already strong.

Extracurricular ActivitiesMarion ROAR ProgramMarion Elementary School, Marion Public Schools

The Marion ROAR (Raising Our Academic Results) program is a suc-cessful after-school program that helps students increase their knowl-edge in math, science and language arts. Initially started to raise math scores, ROAR was created after six years of planning to give students

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www.masb.org • MASB Headlines • October 1, 2013 5

one-on-one tutoring. After positive results were realized in that subject and support from parents, ROAR expanded to other subject areas. Each student is put on their own custom academic track to ensure that they are getting help where they need it the most. The opportunity for focused, personal tutoring allows the students to master specific skills they need to succeed.

Health, Wellness and Safety9th Grade AcademyBeecher Middle School, Beecher Community Schools

Focused on ensuring students graduate from high school, the 9th Grade Academy has been a success-ful program since its launch. The academy separates the freshman class from the rest of the high school to give the students the attention they need. Freshmen no longer have to worry about different class levels or social pressure from older students. Additionally, the program requires students to complete 50 hours of community service prior to gradua-tion to teach the importance of giving back. Developed to address a high dropout rate, the 9th Grade Academy has succeeded in increasing enroll-ment for the ninth grade class and decreased the dropout rate for older classes.

Intermediate School District ProgramsProject PRIME (Promoting Reform in Mathematics Education)Wayne RESA

Using a variety of teaching tech-niques and tools, Project PRIME is a two-year, secondary professional development program that has helped more than 600 teachers throughout the state. Teachers who participate have the opportunity to attend free professional development through courses developed collaboratively through the Michigan Mathematics and Science Centers Network, the University of Michigan at Dearborn’s Center for Mathematics Education and Wayne RESA. Project PRIME is unique in that it uses a variety of technologies to train participants across the state, while also providing site-based facilitators and coaches to encourage instructional reform. The program allows teachers to meet after school to discuss new strategies that focus directly on student achieve-ment.

Language ArtsFifth Core World Language & Culture ProgramOxford Early Learning Center, Oxford Community Schools

With a surrounding environment of over 800 international businesses, Oxford Community Schools under-stands the importance of being bilin-gual. The Fifth Core World Language & Culture Program challenges stu-dents and prepares them to succeed in the real world. Teaching students Mandarin Chinese and Spanish is relevant when considering the United States top two trading partners are Mexico and China. Starting the stu-dents early in both of these languages gives them an advantage when they move on to higher education and beyond. The program also teaches determination, patience and focus, all skills students will need throughout their life. The program is required of all Oxford Early Learning Center stu-dents to ensure that no one is being left out of an amazing opportunity.

Michigan’s Best, continued from Page 4

Michigan’s Best, continued on Page 9

Special Thanks to Education Excellence Sponsor

www.masb.org • MASB Headlines • October 1, 20136

2013 Annual ConferenceDriving Innovation to Leadership and Learning

• MCSA Fall Conference • Delegate Assembly • Cutting-edge clinic sessions • Exhibit Show • Featured speakers and Early Bird Workshops • Social media and networking activities • Awards and recognition • More than 45 CBA classes

Register Now!

We can’t wait to see you at MASB’s Annual Conference & Exhibit Show as each of you con-tribute to the “experience” of the event. It’s not the same without our valuable members!

Enjoy all these events and more:Register online at www.masb.org

October 24 – 27, 2013

Lansing Center

Downtown Lansing

Driving Innovation in

Leadership and Learning

2013 Annual Conference & Exhibit Show

Michigan Association of School Boards

Access the Annual Conference App!Use this simple tool to plan your MASB

Annual Conference schedule.Choose one of the following options:

1. Scan QR code below:

2. Visit http://masbannualconference2013.sched.org/ to download the app to your mo-bile device or tablet

October 24 – 27 • Lansing

cost and networking opportunities. The 2013 Annual Conference & Ex-hibit Show program easily covers each of these areas and more.

Topics and Content Relevant to Your Needs

There are sessions covering all of the hot education topics, including Com-mon Core, service consolidation, dis-trict finance management, technology and safety.

Knowledgeable SpeakersYou will hear from some of the

most respected thought leaders in education including Velma Hart on collaborative board leadership, John Draper on crucial conversations about America’s public schools and Brian Lewis who will talk about how you can effectively support the integration of technology in education.

In addition, there are clinic sessions where you will hear from districts that have successfully implemented inno-vations in district management, tech-nology and student achievement.

The Early Bird Workshops feature an insider’s view of the inner workings

of the Capitol, as well as an overview of educator and administrator evalu-ations with final recommendations from the Michigan Council on Educa-tor Effectiveness (MCEE).

Finally, Superintendent Mike Flana-gan will provide the most current in-formation on Common Core, consoli-dation of services, MCEE and other significant education policy issues.

Convenient Locations and TimesDesignated as the state capital in

1847, Lansing is the perfect destina-tion for a balance of work and play in Michigan. Easily accessible and centrally located, meeting in Lansing puts you in the political and industrial heart of our great state. Whether it be sports, music, art or good food, this big city with a small-town feel has a little something for everybody.

Reasonable CostWith 10 time blocks of clinic ses-

sions and featured speakers across two days, your conference registration fee breaks down to only $31.50 for each educational opportunity.

Networking OpportunitiesThere are breaks spread throughout

the day and there is also time desig-nated to visit the Exhibit Show.

Use the breaks to connect with your fellow attendees. “An important part of every conference is the opportunity to renew friendships and to network with your colleagues,” notes MASB Executive Director Kathy Hayes. “You are sure to discover that the issues you face have been faced by others and sharing solutions and strategies with one another can be your best source of inspiration.”

At the Exhibit Show, you’ll have the chance to try out new software, browse the latest publications, talk to the industry’s leading consultants and collect ideas to take back to your district.

Detailed information about the 2013 Annual Conference & Exhibit Show is available on the MASB website. Ques-tions can be directed to the MASB Leadership Services Department at 517.327.5900, or by sending an email to mmccarthy@masb.org.

Conference, continued from Page 1

www.masb.org • MASB Headlines • October 1, 2013 7

Before the 2013 MASB Annual Conference gets underway, the

Michigan Council of School Attorneys (MCSA) will hold its Fall Conference on October 24. Open to all MASB members, MCSA’s day-long meeting will focus on various aspects of school law and compliance.

MCSA traditionally offers pertinent and timely topics for school officials and attorneys who are involved in the legal aspects of education and this year is no exception. The 2013 MCSA Fall Conference program consists of two ses-sions, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon, that focus on the legal issues currently confronting school offi-cials.

“We invite you to attend this one-of-a-kind opportunity to learn from school law experts about the latest updates and

details regarding compliance with the Teachers’ Tenure Act, the Revised School Code and other school-related laws,” invites MCSA President Dana Abrahams

MCSA Conference HighlightsPresentations will feature school law

experts who will offer information, ideas and insight on a variety of topics:

• School Security: Firearms on School Property and Other School Safety Issues

Discussion will focus on the latest legal developments and guidance on address-ing the issue of openly carrying a firearm on school district property. The best practices related to building lockdowns and school safety response plans will also be reviewed.

• Update on Teacher Layoff/Recall Issues and New Developments

Under the Teacher Tenure Law Learn what the Tenure Commission

has decided and the Court of Appeals is considering in regards to the tenure rights of laid-off teachers. Information will also be shared on recent impor-

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Who Should Plan to Attend? School board members, superintendents, assistant superintendents, school at-torneys and others involved in the legal aspects of education .

Register Today! Select the MCSA Morning and/or Afternoon Sessions on the MASB Annual Conference registration page .

Michigan Council of School Attorneys to Hold Its Fall Conference

MCSA, continued on Page 11

www.masb.org • MASB Headlines • October 1, 20138

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partners in education and business to urge the Senate to support Common Core in an expeditious manner. We encourage you to contact your Senator to show your support. Some Senators have commented that they have not heard from their local edu-cators and administrators; we want to make sure they do. Emphasize that, in order for students to compete in a knowledge-based, global economy, Michigan needs consistent standards that will provide appropriate bench-marks for all students. Our schools are now three years and millions of dollars down the road toward adopt-ing the CCSS. Changing course now will put our students and schools at a severe disadvantage that could last for years. The Michigan Coalition for

High Student Standards, which MASB is a partner in, has an easy tool on its new website to send your Senator an email supporting Common Core; contact your legislator here. The site also provides basic information on Common Core, answers myths with facts, testimonials from classroom teachers and business leaders, and great resources for educators and par-ents.

We continue to update our list showing support for the Common Core in our local districts. We are thankful for the boards that have already passed resolutions; our cur-rent list includes over 60 ISDs and local districts. This list will be distrib-uted again to the Senate committees at the hearing on Wednesday and the

full Senate when it considers HCR 11. If your board adopts the resolution, please let us know and make sure you also share it with your State Senator. If you have not yet passed one, but would like to, feel free to use our sam-ple resolution for reference.

We are hopeful this issue reaches a conclusion in a timely manner, but also expect conversations surrounding the proper assessment tool to con-tinue.

Common Core, continued from Page 3

www.masb.org • MASB Headlines • October 1, 2013 9

Social Science and HumanitiesPromoting Academic Social Success (P.A.S.S.) Mentoring ProgramAlgonac High School, Algonac Community Schools

Transitional years (moving from elementary to middle school, middle to high school) can be tough for many students. Most important is the transi-tion from middle to high school; classes are harder, students are in larger schools and the social atmosphere changes. Research shows dropouts typically occur due to poor performance during the freshman year of high school. The

Promoting Academic Social Success (P.A.S.S.) Mentoring Program addresses the poor performance problem with incoming freshman students. The pro-gram identifies at-risk eighth graders and mentors them throughout their ninth grade year. Mentees are paired with specifically selected senior mentors in order to show them what it is like to be a successful high school student. The program not only helps the at-risk students, but also the senior mentors. Allowing them the opportunity to teach, motivate and lead someone to success gives the student experience in being a leader before heading off to college.

Student-Created InitiativesLegacy TeamLakeville Elementary, Oxford Community Schools

As a school, Lakeville Elementary has always focused on teaching stu-dents the importance of making the world a better place through their actions. In the past, Lakeville’s scope

has been global, aiming to raise money for water in Africa, hosting blood drives and other events to help areas around the world. But the staff real-ized that by focusing only on global issues their students were missing the opportunity to give back within their own community. Through thought-ful discussion between Lakeville’s staff and students, the Legacy Team was created, which is a group of fifth grade students that are tasked with the chal-lenge of leaving their legacy. The team researches a school problem, develops a plan to influence change and imple-ments the plan to leave their legacy.

Michigan’s Best, continued from Page 5

Consolidation of Services Example: Service Sharing is Thriving in Muskegon County

Articles in previous editions of Headlines noted that con-

solidation and service-sharing efforts have been business as usual for many of our public school districts, and MASB asked for first-hand experienc-es from practitioners who are involved in such arrangements. We’re pleased that Oakridge Superintendent Tom Livezey took the time to share the ex-tensive service sharing models that he, his colleagues and the boards of edu-cation throughout Muskegon County are planning and delivering.

First, it is important to recognize that there are a number of beneficial reasons to consolidate and share ser-

vices. . .and saving money is just one. Careful planning can improve effi-ciencies of scale, maintain stability in the leadership ranks and share the tal-ents of experienced individuals among districts. All of this—and more—is possible when you have partners who are willing to work creatively and collaboratively, which is obviously the case for Oakridge, its partner districts and the Muskegon Area ISD.

Oakridge has privatized custodial services, food service and manage-ment, and transportation employees. Payroll has been consolidated through MAISD and special education supervision has been consolidated

among area districts. Technology has proved to be a prime area for shar-ing services through the coordinated efforts of local districts and the ISD to install and maintain a countywide fiber network and purchase a com-mon student management system, along with a common finance system. Technology support services have merged, infrastructures like server space and network protocols will be shared, and future service collabora-tives may include a common phone system. Area districts are sharing a transportation director, dispatcher

Consolidation, continued on Page 11

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Kalamazoo Public Schools Aims to Create a Fully Literate Community

A partnership between Kalamazoo Public Schools and the Kalamazoo Pub-lic Library is aiming to create a fully literate community. The program cur-rently focuses on KPS first graders by making sure each receives a library card and makes at least three field trips to a library a year.

The three field trips are scheduled to increase reading throughout the year even after school is out. The first trip in the fall focuses on getting the student set up and checking out their first books; the second to return their books and check out new ones; and the last one takes place in the spring for the library to pitch its summer reading program.

By the end of this year, every KPS student through third grade will have a library card, which is approximately 3,000 students. The goal for this program extends past the students, Susan Warner director of the library’s youth services explained. “We’re working towards the goal of having all students having and us-ing a library card and encouraging their family members to do the same.”

Source: MLive, September 27, 2013.Leaders Identify Three Education Priorities to Help Muskegon County ‘Thrive’

Preschool, fourth-grade reading and math, and college and career accessibil-ity are the three areas of education that a Muskegon County group has decided need the most focus for the community to “thrive,” according to the county’s education leader.

“Thrive” is the name of a new initiative focused on three distinct education goals, Dave Sipka, superintendent of the Mus-kegon Area Intermediate School District, told members of the Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce Friday [September 20].

A group of community leaders rep-resenting the public and private sectors worked for about a year to decide where a coordinated focus should be placed. A website, 3tothrive.org, has been de-veloped to promote the Thrive initiative as has a list of suggestions of how busi-nesses, schools, families and faith-based groups can help.

Among the suggestions are busi-nesses developing workplace preschool programs and inviting students in to explain skills needed for careers; schools developing “soft-skill” curriculum and instilling graduation expectations begin-ning with a child’s first day of school; faith communities providing tutors and backpacks filled with school supplies; and families getting to know school staff and helping children dream and plan for their futures.

Source: MLive, September 20, 2013.Edwardsburg Public Schools Launches Middle College Program

Edwardsburg Public Schools is launch-ing Edwardsburg Middle College this school year. Using recommendations from Helping Students Navigate the Path to College: What High Schools Can Do (IES Practice Guide; NCEE 2009-4066), EPS will begin each student’s educational journey with an understanding of pride, passion and purpose of meeting high academic expectations for college and career access.

It is EPS’ goal that all students will have the ability to begin taking college level entry courses by ninth grade such as Algebra I. EPS strives to have students ready through rigorous content and ex-pectations; they also have various assess-ment measures (e.g., EXPLORE–eighth grade; PLAN ninth/tenth grades) in place to determine if students are on-

track academically. Staff assists students in setting goals and assessing progress towards those goals.

Students enrolled at EMC in fall 2013 will have current eleventh and twelfth grade options at the Edwardsburg cam-pus. Tenth graders would be able to take ENST112 Environmental Science (fall) and Art 148 (winter) with full implemen-tation of online hybrid classes beginning in fall 2014. Beginning in May 2014, EMC would offer EDUC120 Educational Exploration/Planning as an orientation to college for all EMC students. Addi-tionally, EMC students will have a course track to follow dependent upon when they enroll (tenth or eleventh grade) to ensure high school and postsecondary credit is earned.

EPS also has an Early College Lab for online accelerated and advanced course-work staffed by a full-time data techni-cian to assist students in organization, advocacy, time management, etc. The English Language Arts department at Edwardsburg High School has taken the lead in assisting their colleagues to use the Common Core State Standards to support academic success through argu-ment and evidence, study skills, note-taking and ACT-like test taking prompts.

Another way EPS is providing a col-lege-ready curriculum is its partnership with Southwestern Michigan College. The goal of the partnership is to have college and high school faculty engage in curriculum leveling through staff and department meetings. This curriculum leveling will assist staff to align requi-sites as well as to provide students with lessons, pedagogy and formative/sum-mative assessments that model college instructional practices.

Source: Edwardsburg Public Schools.

Education NewsAround the State

www.masb.org • MASB Headlines • October 1, 2013 11

tant Tenure Commission cases that will impact school personnel decisions.

• Critical Choices in Superintendent Contracts

The presentation will discuss Michigan law applicable to superintendent con-tracts, cover the essential contract provi-sions and offer guidance on permissive topics that may serve the best interests of the school district.

• School District Reorganization Issues: Consolidation, Annexation, Dissolution and Eliminating Grades

What can a school district do to pre-pare for a major reorganization of its schools or even dissolution? Attorneys who have worked with schools on resolv-ing legal questions relating to reorganiza-tion and dissolution will share guidance

to help prepare school officials to address critical reorganizational issues.

• Current Hot Topics in School Law: Conflicts of Interest, Recent Court Cases and New Laws

The conflict of interest laws have changed. This presentation will pro-vide an in-depth discussion on con-flicts of interests that require abstain-ing from a vote or even resigning from the school board. Any new court cases or laws that will impact school districts will also be discussed.

To register, visit the MASB web-site and select the Morning and/or Afternoon sessions from the MASB Annual Conference registration page. Each session is $95 or $180 for the full day, including lunch.

and transportation software, in addi-tion to leveraging maintenance staff, a mechanic garage and a diesel fuel sys-tem. The list goes on. All these exam-ples involve districts acting together without any “incentive” or “best prac-tices” dollars.

It must be acknowledged that each of these shared services involve deci-sions which impact employees, friends and neighbors. Ensuring that the needs of all participating districts are being met, the ongoing, and often difficult, conversations require trust, transparency and positive relation-ships among district staff, superin-tendents and boards of education. Superintendent Livezey credits his local district and ISD partners for their willingness to share new ideas and resources, and he is confident they will continue to work together as they adapt to the new realities in public education. And he can cer-

tainly point with pride that, during all these extensive service-sharing changes, his district stayed focused on academics, with six consecutive years of all-time high ACT com-posite scores and a designation as a “Reward” high school for two years.

As policymakers consider leg-islation to mandate consolidation efforts, Superintendent Livezey cautions that a one-size-fits-all approach will not work for every-one; districts must determine for themselves their purpose in sharing services and choose the methods that provide the best and most effi-cient services.

If you have consolidation of ser-vice examples to share, both ones that were implemented and those that were considered and not put in place, please send them to webmaster@masb.org.

A publication of the Michigan Association of School Boards

Contact MASB800 .968 .4627 • www .masb .org 517 .327 .5900 • sbogard@masb .org

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

HeadlinesA News Report for Michigan Education Leaders

Mission StatementTo provide quality educational leadership services for all Michigan boards of education, and to advocate for student achievement and public education.

2013-2014 MASB Board OfficersPresident: Ruth Coppens President-Elect: Donald Hubler Vice President: Darryle Buchanan Past President: Steve Zinger

Executive Director Kathy Hayes

Assistant Director of Communications, PR and MarketingStacy Bogard, CAE

October 8, 2013 • Go-To-Pros Summit @ MASB

October 10, 2013 • Creating Agenda Packets With BoardBook (webinar)

• CBA 264 @ Clare Gladwin RESDOctober 15, 2013 • CBA 104 @ Kent ISD • CBA 341 @ Clare Gladwin RESDOctober 24, 2013 • Annual Conference @Lansing

Center

View Complete Calendar

Consolidation, continued from Page 9

MCSA, continued from Page 7

www.masb.org • MASB Headlines • October 1, 201312

Worth Repeating

Worth Repeating doesn’t necessarily reflect the views or positions of MASB. It’s intended to spark dialogue and inform readers about what’s being said about public education around the state and nation.

Learning Options Available, but Schools Really Do Mean Something More

Super Talk from the Observer & Eccentric, September 16, 2013. Written by Novi Superintendent Dr. Steve Matthews.

At the start of the school year, along with everything else, I wonder—

does school really have a place anymore?After all, students can learn online 24

hours a day. I see billboards advertising the virtues of virtual schools as I drive to work. Many districts in Michigan have opened their borders and accept students from different communities.

So is the local public school still some-thing that is important?

There is a passage in Ivan Doig’s book, “The Whistling Season,” that has fasci-nated me and stuck with me since the day I read it many years ago:

Out beyond the play area, there were round rims of shadow on the patch of prairie where the horses we rode to school had eaten the grass down in circles around their picket stake . .

Forever and a day could go by and that feeling will never leave me. Of knowing, in that instant, the central power of that country school in our lives.

Everyone I could think of had something at stake in that school.

We all answered, with some part of our lives, to the pull of this small knoll of pros-pect, this isolated square of school ground.

Do schools still have that “central power?” Do community schools still mean something in the year 2013?

I think they do.I have visited over 50 classrooms in

the first two weeks of school. I have seen teachers taking time to connect with stu-dents while they focused on teaching the curriculum. I have seen teachers helping students explain their thinking, examine

problems and consider ideas from differ-ent perspectives.

Yes, students can learn at home or through a virtual tutor—but students in our schools have the benefit of teachers who understand the importance of devel-oping connections that will encourage students to push themselves.

As I sit in my office preparing for the week, I see on my schedule a myriad of events. Girls swimming and dive, field hockey, volleyball, boys tennis, cross country, and football are just a few of the events that the students in my district will participate in this week. Students par-ticipate in the marching band and color guard. These activities help students learn to apply the lessons of leadership and building a team.

I have been greeted in classrooms by first-graders and fourth-graders who walk up to me, shake my hand, and welcome me to their classroom. These students are learning lessons from our Leader in Me program. These lessons will last their entire life.

Parents have visited our schools to meet teachers and talk to principals. Parents want to know that our schools are good places for their children.

Our cooks and bus drivers and mainte-nance staff have spent countless hours get-ting our schools ready and now spend time ensuring that things operate smoothly.

Even with all of this, I still ask myself—do schools still mean something? Do schools still ask of people to give some-thing? Do schools still pull communities forward?

Again, I answer yes!Schools connect a community. Teachers

connect with students. Students connect with adults outside of their family. A love of learning and a passion for learning are passed on from one generation to another. Students begin to see, through the lives of the people in their school, that there are things to be passionate about.

For a student, schools become places where they learn that they are important. The adults in a school communicate to the students who attend that they matter. Teachers who take an interest in a student help that student understand that they are important.

Schools create places where students learn to fit in. Some students fit in with the athletic teams, others in the band or orchestra. Some students connect through Quiz Bowl or Student Council or Safety Patrol. In community schools places are created and opportunities are presented for students to learn life lessons by con-necting with others.

Oh, schools can falter. Schools can be places where students are bored or where they feel bullied or ignored or left out. But community schools work hard to be plac-es where students understand that they have a place, they have an opportunity to learn, and that they have adults who care about them.

Schools do mean something.As this school year starts in Novi, my

hope is that we can continue to make schools mean something to every student who attends and to every family who trusts us enough to send us their children.