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“Waiting for Superman,” a documentary film released nationwide in October 2010, focuses on educational challenges in five urban schools. These resources from the National School Boards Association will help board members and administrators discuss the film with their community.
School districts should consider several issues before making the decision to offer a shortened school year either this year or next.
We prepare you to be a better board member and a stronger leader
In this changing economic culture, public schools are having to look for funding outside the government sector. Local education foundations are becoming an increasingly significant source of support for public schools.
This is a story about a school that formed a Healthy Kids Learn Better Team made up of school administrators, staff and community partners. The team identified healthful eating and physical activity as key student health issues affecting student attendance and academic achievement.
An overview of the election process for school districts, ESDs and community colleges.
The usual strategy of “negotiated tradeoffs” isn’t the best way to plan health care benefits these days, especially when everyone should agree to share the burden of rising costs.
Access a list of surveys on a variety of topics to see how you rank compared to other districts, education service districts and community colleges in Oregon.
A description of the board chair's authority.
The rules of parliamentary procedure in Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised govern board meetings, except as otherwise provided by state law or board policy.
The board secretary provides the board with accurate records of meeting minutes, handles board correspondence, and posts all meetings.
The chair should encourage board members to attend professional development.
Customized board training, facilitation, consultation and advice
A school board’s vote to remove one of its members as board vice president because of his public criticism of the superintendent was not prohibited by the first amendment.
Congratulations to our newly elected or recently appointed board members! When you take your oath of office at your first board meeting, you are entrusted with one of the most important jobs in your community.
Organizational tool showing dates and recommendations for tasks to accomplish.
Upcoming school district, ESD and community college bond and local option elections plus recent unofficial election results.
Resources for bond and local option elections, including campaign information. School district, ESD and community college bond and local option elections and results.
An overview of election ballot title wording requirements.
Recommended resources from NSBA on boosting student achievement
Ideas and insights into closing the achievement gap from Forest Grove SD.
Ideas and insights into closing the achievement gap from Gervais SD.
Ideas and insights into closing the achievement gap from Greater Albany SD
Ideas and insights into closing the achievement gap from Hillsboro SD
Ideas and insights into closing the achievement gap from Morrow SD.
Ideas and insights into closing the achievement gap from Ontario SD.
Ideas and insights into closing the achievement gap from Salem-Keizer SD.
Ideas and insights into closing the achievement gap from Woodburn SD.
Resources to help boards close the achievement gap.
A quick overview of the budget committee process and frequently asked questions.
A compilation of resources to help you manage budget reductions and layoffs.
An explanation of the California Certificated Staff Performance Incentive Act.
Oregon statute requires collective bargaining negotiations to take place in open session unless the parties mutually agree to bargain in closed executive session.
Resources to help you make the most of the U.S. Census information.
Many school districts throughout the state may be receiving charter school applications this spring.
Questions and answers about public charter schools
OSBA offers valuable services for charter schools.
CDC advisory on how to handle anthrax and other biological agent threats.
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a police officer cannot interview a student at school.
The selection of the board chair is made no later than the next regular meeting following July 1 each year.
These thirteen states have class-size-reduction initiatives. Thanks to the Oregon Legislative Policy and Research Office, we are able to show some costs and impacts nationwide.
This information is from Boardsmanship For Oregon School Board Members, which explains what it takes to be an Oregon school board member.
Paul C. Gorski explores our preconceptions about equity issues and the dissonance that occurs when new truths battle established beliefs.
Information, guidelines and answers to frequently asked questions about the role of board members during the collective bargaining process.
As fiscal reality worsens with each economic forecast, boards and unions face the challenge of “living within our means.”
The primary role of the chair, other than to run meetings, is to be the voice of the board.
Links to articles designed to help school boards establish two-way communication between the organization and the community it serves.
Results of an OSBA-sponsored study reviewing public K-12 spending in Oregon since 1990.
Increase community support while saving time and money by streamlining assembly and distribution of meeting notices, packets and minutes.
Well-prepared school boards don’t head into collective-bargaining negotiations without first reviewing their educational programs and considering trends affecting their district. By taking the time to consider specific educational programming issues before beginning negotiations, you can build critical flexibility into your contracts. Don’t get caught between “a rock and a hard place.”
Your Early Retirement Incentive (ERI) may not be the best cost-saving strategy in today’s climate of rising health care costs. In fact, OSBA recommends that districts conduct a cost-benefit analysis of ERI programs. A growing number of districts have bargained a sunset on these programs, reduced benefits, or immediately discontinued the program. One alternative is to substitute ERI packages with a district-funded Tax Sheltered Annuity (TSA).
Complaint-procedure language is often neglected in public education collective bargaining. Too often, board members and school administrators don’t realize they’ve paid it too little attention until it is too late.
A federal court in California found that ordering a teacher to take down his religious banners violated his First Amendment right.
At the beginning of each school year front office staff and administrators must deal with tough situations involving custody disputes.
There will be times when crisis confronts your school district.
The federal court with jurisdiction over Oregon recently found that a district’s failure to conduct an educational assessment when there were clear signs of a student’s learning disabilities was the same as refusing to identify the student under the IDEA.
If you’ve heard that Oregon "spends" an average of $12,000 per student annually, learn where this figure came from and how to correct it.
Due Process vs Just Cause Comparison
Links to information about early retirement programs
Secretary of State report concludes that early retirement programs are one of the major reasons behind school district cost increases.
Links to valuable funding resources
What it takes to be an effective Oregon school board member.
Guidelines providing some general legal principles found in case and statutory law.
Information for community members forming political action committees to support a school district bond measure.
Medical marijuana users are not protected by Oregon's disability law.
Unions are targeting “ending fund balances” as a source to fund their salary and benefit proposals. This has become a popular issue at the legislature, in budget meetings and at bargaining tables. So, what is ending fund balance and why do we need it?
Learn from Gresham-Barlow School District how to engage your community in setting budgeting priorities.
November 18, 2002 press release announcing results of OSBA-sponsored study on K-12 funding.
Well-researched, practical strategies to improve student achievement through good governance from The Essential School Board Book by Nancy Walser.
Collective bargaining has a profound impact on education programs provided through school districts, ESDs and community colleges.
What the board needs to know to effectively evaluate the superintendent.
The board may meet in executive session to discuss subjects allowed by statute but may not take final action, except for specific instances pertaining to student matters.
Tips for helping children handle crisis situations.
Class Size: Is less really more? Research is the basis for determining how class-size reduction can be used to improve learning.
Bulleted list of facts about K-12 education funding in Oregon
Recently a federal court in Lessard v. Wilton-Lyndeborough Cooperative School District rejected parents’ arguments finding a school district offered a student FAPE in the least restrictive environment and that a proposed IEP was appropriate.
Military Leave Guidelines
Oregon’s Public Meetings Laws govern what materials must be made available to the public and which may be withheld.
Frequently Asked Questions About Labor Negotiations
Terms you need to know as you work with school budgets.
Resource guide to educational terminology
Negotiation ground rules are not usually recommended or necessary during traditional bargaining. State law describes the three required ground rules in any negotiations process: meet at reasonable times, meet at reasonable places and confer in good faith.
Letters sent to the board of education through the board chair should be shared with other board members.
Healthy Kids Learn Better is a way of forming school-community partnerships that address kids' physical, social and emotional needs, improving their potential to learn.
Documents and links to information about the Healthy Kids Learn Better partnership
Links to useful information from Oregon and around the nation.
An outline of Oregon's school funding history.
A description of the types of legislative measures and the process for creating new laws.
The time committment for school board service.
Links to information explaining Oreogn school funding.
Nine principles of a successful school board member.
What do striking grocery workers, the longest school district strike in Washington state history, Chicago teachers taking a strike vote and an eagerly awaited report from Portland Public Schools all have in common? The rising cost of health insurance.
Ways to involve the community during bond and local option elections.
Common denominators in dysfunctional school boards.
Links to information about just cause contract language.
The foundation of successful advocacy is knowledge of the legislative process.
Answers to the most frequently asked questions about bargaining.
Teacher and administrator layoff procedures are addressed in ORS 342.934 and in collective bargaining agreements.
The demands on board members have grown. Now you can earn certificates of recognition in leadership achievement that reflect your growing importance.
Advanced leadership training for school board members.
A list of the most recent Leadership Oregon graduates.
Bills were passed during the recent legislative session affecting district policy.
Compliance training for employees of Oregon schools.
Learn powerful communication skills that will dramatically improve how you give and receive feedback – in supervision, evaluation, performance growth, commendations, and any necessary discipline.
In the last two decades of education reform, teachers have been viewed as central to both the problems of education and their solutions. Education researchers and school leaders have faced the challenge of motivating teachers to high levels of performance.
Resources for New Board Members
Links to information on the federal No Child Left Behind Act.
Frequently asked ethics questions: Get the run down on what you need to know about Oregon’s ethics laws.
An introduction to the Lighthouse Project, a research-based curriculum designed to help boards develop leadership in student achievement.
An increasing number of Oregon school districts are adopting performance-pay options in their collective bargaining agreements.
State Board of Education adopted Common Core State Standards for English language arts and Literacy and mathematics in October 2010.
A downloadable publication containing a comparison of teacher salaries and benefits for the current year.
Information about why and how districts should develop and implement pandemic preparedness plans.
Policy questions every institution should ask to prepare for pandemic threats.
Resources to develop or review pandemic flu plans, be vigilant and responsive, and work with your local health department officials.
A checklist highlighting the major points that every district should consider when shaping its pandemic preparedness plan.
Teacher Performance Pay, as part of a total compensation program, is a concept that bears further examination.
Links to information about performance pay.
Links to PERS resources
Leadership is an acquired art, not something that comes naturally to all people.
An analysis is a review and assessment of a school district, education service district or community college board’s policy manual.
Answers to the questions what is policy and what is an administrative regulation and why they are important.
Various policy hot topics summarized
Save time and increase productivity with this complete word processing service performed by OSBA.
The rewrite process encourages discussions, consensus building and clarification of policy and related issues, resulting in a complete, up-to-date policy manual.
CCSSI would establish a shared set of educational standards for English language arts and mathematics that states can voluntarily adopt.
A community college in Arizona was not required to discipline or dimiss a professor.
The board will hold public hearings as required by law.
The laws governing boards of education require that their work be done where the public can observe their actions.
Resources regarding recruitment and retention of employees.
An overview of the role of the board and the appropriate process and procedures that are followed by the district administrator for reductions in force.
Residential placements not necessary to address issues unrelated to learning process
The chair’s guide to running an effective meeting is Robert’s Rules of Order.
Roles and responsibilities for those involved in bond election campaigns.
A sample to help you structure your election campaign.
New board members must take an oath of office before assuming the duties of office.
The desire to save money is not prohibited by the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA).
Information on how school board elections and filing as a candidate.
Resources to assist districts prevent and handle school violence.
Schools are changing - from footprints and heating systems to landscapes and siting decisions.
Information about ODOT's Pedestrian and Bicycle Grant Program.
Communities began to move away from the concept of a small neighborhood-centered school that kids could walk to in the 1970s, but some are pushing back. Learn about this trend.
The board chair should work to keep the board focused on the school district's vision.
As Oregon's economic woes deepen and financial uncertainty grows, some districts are considering early closure or a shortened school year for 2008-09 or beyond. There are several issues districts should consider before deciding to shorten the school year.
Insight and advice about hiring professional negotiators.
Get ready, respond & recover: links to valuable information on school safety.
With costs going up and revenue going down, it’s essential to look for the most cost effective way of providing services. Subcontracting is one way to cut costs while maintaining current services.
Keeping the lines of communication open between the board chair and the superintendent benefits the entire board and school district.
A high quality superintendent evaluation process helps develop good board/superintendent relationships, provides clarity of roles, creates common understanding of the leadership being provided and provides a mechanism for public accountability.
Performance incentive programs and performance pay programs are not the same.
OSBA provides superintendent/president evaluations for K-12, ESD and community colleges.
A teacher was entitled to unemployment benefits under Oregon law after he resigned in lieu of termination.
Oregonians aren't getting enough of the right information about their local schools to create a very big fan club for education. Here we provide examples of "blue-ribbon" triumphs in our schools and give you new tools to help you change the public's opinion.
Speech not required in an employee’s job description can still be part of a public employee’s official duties.
The laws surrounding the confidential of student education records.
When the board chair speaks to an issue, the public and the media assume that the chair’s statement is the opinion of the entire board of education.
The board chair and the superintendent collaborate on the meeting agenda and other operational issues facing the board.
The agenda, prepared by the board chair and the superintendent, is the most important document at any board meeting.
OSBA's primary mission is to serve as the collective voice for all Oregon public school boards. Being that collective voice requires participation of every board member in OSBA's governance and legislative activities.
The media is interested in what happens at your board meetings, and the media version of your board actions is what most people in your community see (or hear).
Links to information about the Quality Education Model
Serving on a board of education is a volunteer effort that requires many hours of diligent work.
Looking Back In Order to Move Forward, a timeline of Oregon and U.S. racial, immigration and education history outlines significant events during the last 10,000 years that have brought us to where we are today in Oregon education equity.
Districts that adopted Tobacco-Free Environment Policies qualify to receive five high-quality painted metal “Tobacco-Free Zone” signs.
The federal regulation implementing the No Child Left Behind Act was partially invalidated.
As school districts throughout the U.S. focus on student achievement, the spotlight turns to how we compensate and evaluate teachers.
A majority of the members of the board (a quorum) must be present to legally conduct business.
The student failed to prove facts essential to prevail under his claim for sexual harassment.
School districts should consider several issues before making the decision to offer a shortened school year either this year or next.
An overview of a school board's responsibilities.
Qualities that describe effective board members.
An analysis of what motivates teachers when employees are in short supply.
Tips to help students and their families in traumatic situations who are faced with the harsh glare of the media spotlight.
The Legal, Labor & Employment Services staff at OSBA answers questions about timing the start of the bargaining process
A checklist for winners of a bond or local option election.