Professional Governance Boards = Student Success (NSBA)

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I learned the most from this presentation. Mr. Gary Brochu (President, Berlin Board of Education) made the point that a school board meets about 72 hours a year and we should make the best use of that time: Sunday’s presentation, “Professional Governance Boards = Student Success,” was based on the idea that becoming a professionally functioning board of education is an essential precondition to a school district achieving sustainable student success. In this new culture, the … Continue reading →

10 Best Practices to Avoid Liability (NSBA)

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ATTENDED THIS SESSION AT THE NSBA Conference last week: A question that frequently arises among school members, new and seasoned is, “Can I be sued?” While there are no guarantees against a lawsuit being filed, it is important consider actions to take to limit school board exposure to potential liability. Most states provide indemnification to school board members for actions taken within the parameters of their school board responsibilities. However, at Monday’s session at National School Boards … Continue reading →

We Had a Circus of a School Board Meeting On Tuesday (Audio)

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BOARD VICE PRESIDENT HEATHER BENNETT is conducting the meeting and admits that the Board has been violating Utah’s Open meeting Act. BM 040913 MIN0305           Audio starts at about time index 1:20 This recording is the April 9, 2013, School Board Meeting discussing the March 5, 2013, Minute Meetings. The Part of the minutes that we are talking about is what was captured in the 03-05-13 meeting: I am asking that Policy … Continue reading →

Salt Lake City School District Says No Scouts Were Banned From School (Tribune)

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Federal complaint » Board member Michael Clara says pack was denied equal access. By Sheena McFarland| The Salt Lake Tribune  First Published Apr 03 2013 06:45 The Salt Lake City School District is firing back against a federal complaint stating it denied a Cub Scout pack permission to meet at one of its elementary schools. School Board Member Michael Clara on March 29 filed the complaint with the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights after two … Continue reading →

School Board Member Says Cub Scouts Should Be Allowed At Elementary School (KSL)

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Audio: Mary Richards Reporting SALT LAKE CITY — A Salt Lake school board member said he had to act after hearing that the Cub Scouts aren’t meeting at Mountain View Elementary school any more. Michael Clara has sent a complaint to the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, claiming the principal is acting inappropriately in not letting the Scouts meet there this year. It appears principal James Martin wants to wait until after the … Continue reading →

Superintendent Issues Inconsistent Media Advisory on Cub Scout Issue

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The Superintendent initially stated that the Cub Scout’s ability to return to the school hinged on the outcome of the BSA’s policy change announcement in May. (See 03/31/13 & 04/01/13 quotes below). He is now saying that the Cub Scouts can be at the school, they will just have to pay the rental fee. Which is consistent with what the Principal, Scout Executive, and Superintendent advised me on March 19, 2013. The basis of my … Continue reading →