Wasbo, inc. Board of directors meeting thursday, February 12, 2015 – 9: 30 am Beaver Dam Unified School District

1. 
   Call to Order at 9:50 by President Gahan
   

1. 
   Strategic Planning, John Gahan – 70 minutes
   

• 
  SAA tools
  
• 
  The work Executive Director Wiedenhoeft does with other execs to help develop the SAA Agenda.
  
• 
  The legislative items John Forester will share at WASBO board meetings.
  

Executive Director Wiedenhoeft noted that in most instances the SAA execs agree but there are times when they are in disagreement. Should Executive Director Wiedenhoeft share what he does outside of the SAA? For example he spoke to Gannett News earlier this week. Executive Director Wiedenhoeft shared his frustration that more work is done to stop something rather than what can be accomplished. He also shared Todd Barry’s pinnacle on cuts: In good times we cut taxes and in bad times we cut expenses. The SAA goal is to make agenda evidenced based. However, there are times when rural areas are not included in the accomplishments made legislatively. Regional group in Wausau will meet on Friday. President Gahan noted that an evaluation could be conducted to ask members about their legislative practices. Executive Director Wiedenhoeft added that we continue to work as we did before. Now the board is thinking about how these things work together. Executive Director Wiedenhoeft mentioned there is a Rural Schools Alliance and SAA is looking to be inclusive. Past President Knight believes there is a perception that John Forester is only working with 1/3 of the state. President Elect Avery noted that you need to tell your story. Send press releases to newspapers. Media wants draft templates on what to cover in a press release and are looking for positive actions by school districts. Jon Bales referred to policy governance and conception. When you talk about ends on advocacy to what purpose what will be different? Might say there will be more productive bills coming out of our advocacy. Every business manager will be engaged in advocacy. SAA is a strategy to the means of accomplishing board ends. Director Davis expressed concern the Executive Director is only one person and how would all this get accomplished? Jon Bales interjected and noted that the constitution and policy governance are designed to be duplicative and executive director receives assistance through work of members and committees.

1. 
   WASBO Strategic Plan, Initiatives, Goals and Measurement, 1-3 year smart goals for each area including measurements in three areas —John Gahan – 10 minutes
   

1. 
   Advocacy – WASBO will provide resources, training, and support to members and educational organizations to improve advocacy skills that enhance their influence on the decision making of policy makers in regards to school finance.
   
   1. 
      Success rate of initiatives from the SAA agenda
      
   2. 
      Media outlets referenced educated quotes from WASBO member regarding school financial policies and the impacts of those policies
      
   3. 
      Number of members trained by SAA to advocate
      
   4. 
      Number of contacts/meetings between WASBO members and legislators
      
   5. 
      Number of member testimony opportunities
      
   6. 
      Number of participants in the SAA Pac
      

2. 
   Networking – WASBO will increase and improve networking opportunities to improve the relationships between educational leaders.
   

3. 
   Professional Development – WASBO will provide meaningful, relevant and accessible continuous opportunities for idea/best practice exchange (between) for members. We can do this by:
   
   1. 
      Evaluation of conferences by those attending.
      
   2. 
      Mentoring – evaluation of mentoring program, how do we evaluate effectiveness of paid coordinators and the program - On web page the mentorship program. What is evaluation of the mentorship program. Executive Director Wiedenhoeft noted that Diane is working on a survey. He will work with her to see where we are at on that program.
      
   3. 
      Solicit topics for conferences from members (using the above noted ideas and through conference evaluations).
      

2. 
   Board Appointment Process — Bob Avery – 10 minutes – Depending on the outcome of the election there are two candidates that would meet the regional area of the board. Announcements of election results of new board members are made at the Spring Conference.
   
3. 
   Executive Director Evaluation Process – Board (John Gahan and Lynn Knight) – 15 minutes – annual event each year. President Gahan asked for Past President Knight’s comments. Past President Knight conducted a group evaluation last year. Executive Director Wiedenhoeft shared that part of the clarification will be in Policy Governance and what comes out of evaluation process. Executive Director Wiedenhoeft thought evaluation was better than the past and the process is now trending in the right direction. Past President Knight recollected that it was offered as a group and asked if Executive Director Wiedenhoeft received useful feedback. Executive Director Wiedenhoeft said yes. We are ready for a structural governance change. Executive Director Wiedenhoeft looks globally and where the board is going. Is there sustainability and trending with the three smart goals identified as well as corresponding to the vision and mission? Past President Knight suggested the evaluation process should transition to Policy Governance that would also include the three smart goals. Executive Director Wiedenhoeft noted that progress is made when there is a group conversation and he can understand and be part of the discussion. He would pursue a conversation and ask questions. The intent is to weed outlier comments from the whole group. What would evaluation look like in Policy Governance? Smart goals in Policy Governance will shape the evaluation at each meeting and demonstrate that progress is being made. If the end is not met then maybe something should be changed. Structure of board agenda will be developed to meet the goals of the board. Could include 6 to 8 questions as a survey to board members along with document to review if expectations of the Executive Director have been met.
   

2. 
   Reports & Communications—Forward specific questions to Executive Director Wiedenhoeft who will ask that they be incorporated in their reports.
   
   
   

• 
  Feb 17^th: State Spec. Ed. Categorical Aid (15%)
  
• 
  Feb 17^th: SAGE (33%)
  
• 
  Mar 16^th State Spec. Ed Categorical Aid (15%)
  
• 
  Mar 23^rd High Poverty Aid
  
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  Mar 23^rd Equalization & Spec Adjustment Aid (25%)
  
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  Mar 23^rd Per Pupil Aid
  

Currently there is no Per Pupil categorical aid included in the Governor’s proposed budget for FY2015-16. The Governor’s proposed budget does include a $165 Per Pupil categorical aid increase in 2016-17. While this is subject to change by the legislature, it would be prudent to budget accordingly until actual changes. School district School Library Aid allocations are available on the SFS Team webpage.

• 
  John made a few points on the governor’s budget plan – waiting on clarity. Both DPI and Legislative Fiscal Bureau are working on implications – SAA will send a Legislative Alert on the financial piece reflecting the $150 per pupil cut and the overall for the biennium.
  
• 
  John’s message at the capital is to pay the kids first to make sure they have an opportunity to learn.
  
• 
  Voucher and Charter School proposals – an aid deduct for public schools to private. A different funding mechanism but same concept for Charter schools. As the number increases General Aid is affected.
  
• 
  Policy likes common core – assessments – a new test – accountability purposes alternative licensure – SAA will ask to be removed along with Charter School. Three major points on legislative alert and the $150 cut on budget and educational opportunities will affect student achievement.
  
• 
  Local Government Property Insurance Fund – the governor has slated for elimination. Tom Wohlleber serves on the board. John spoke with Tom Wohlleber and the impact on rural schools. 239 districts are part of this consortium. Will districts be able to get coverage in the open market? The comprehensive coverage will come from LGPIF and not in the commercial market. Legislators are concerned how this will impact districts.
  
• 
  Forester commented there is a lot of unrest in the senate GOP – Moderate rural senators could be counted on such as Rob Cowles, Terry Moulton and Scott Fitzgerald who are not happy with the budget.
  
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  Bob Borch asked what is being done on handicap aides and Forester noted nothing at this time. Director Wieland asked John Forester if after the budget is complete what if Madison area SD went to referendum for overrides. Creates new Vincent vs Voight.
  
• 
  Fund Balance – DOA may make the softening of cuts to school district fund balance. SAA is preparing for this issue similar to what the UW System experienced.
  

1. 
   Committee Reports
   
   1. 
      Facilities Committee and Custodial Conferences – Possibly 5 locations for Custodial Conference
      
   2. 
      Nominations Committee Report
      
   3. 
      Accounting Committee—Handbook, Budget Cycle Book – Past President Knight reported the rewrite of the handbook is slow. Gene Fornecker and Past President Knight met on their section.
      
   4. 
      Payroll and HR Certifications – Bob Avery – 5 minutes – The HR Committee met three times since December. Next meeting is February 23^rd. They are formulating a program that would also incorporate learning opportunities for HR Directors, District Administrators as well as principals and other positions in the district who may need HR training. A timeline is being developed to start a beta test and possibly announce in January 2016 with learning opportunities beginning in summer of 2016. WASPA instructors would like to be paid. President Elect Avery spoke to Jonathan Mitchell and the Payroll committee is reviewing programs in Michigan and Alabama who have established certification. The curriculum in Alabama was written by their Executive Director.
      
   5. 
      Member Resources and Technology – Andy Weiland and Lynn Knight – 20 minutes – Past President Knight thought it seemed like they were taking on a lot of work but the meeting ended well. President Gahan joined also and noted that Roles and Responsibilities document is already on the website. Why not use this document and link to the resource library. Can link to presentations where they apply to specific topics. Executive Director Wiedenhoeft noted that staff are working with Ohio and AWSA to vet out a new member management system. Their next meeting is in April. Director Weiland and Past President Knight will continue on the committee even when they leave the board.
      
   6. 
      Professional Recognition – Jay Clark and Bob Avery – 10 minutes – Bob Avery noted that at the December meeting the group approved the changes in criteria for the awards. Director Clark noted the group used the matrix with a beta test from 2014 and wanted the board to know their work has been rewarding. All criteria are included in the matrix. Director Davis asked if there was an allowance for the nominee to offer input. Can’t be tied to the numbers but want to have an objective conversation about what has been done. John Gahan asked if the score was relative and Jay and Bob said no. Regardless of the score the cream would rise to the top. Bob explained the baseball analogy and that a School Business Manager and Facilities Manager of the Year could now be recognized again after 5 years. Director Clark asked if nominators get access to the matrix. Maybe not this year because of timing but in the future we would post with the brochure.
      Scoring Matrix and Evaluation Tool Narrative
      
   7. 
      Other
      
2. 
   Staff Report, Woody – 20 minutes – Should be able to hire an additional person within the coming months. Staff will need to get through several upcoming conference this month. Executive Director Wiedenhoeft and Associate Executive Director Hafeman will revisit how this is working for Tina at home. Executive Director Wiedenhoeft is working with board on staffing. Woody will approach the board with ideas and look at where the organization is going.
   
3. 
   Regional Reports – 5 minutes –
   
   1. 
      President Gahan - Southeast regional supports districts for access to performance contracting and developing an RFP to meet the standards of METAP
      
   2. 
      Director Cramer – Springsted presentation on tax rate tolerance and referendum.
      
   3. 
      Southwest regional did not connect with Past President Knight. Woody noted they do meet regularly.
      
   4. 
      Treasurer Stahl – Attended the Northwest regional and heard a presentation from Baird
      
   5. 
      Director Weiland - Madison group heard presentation from Forecast5 – Looking at how school districts could conduct an override referendum on the same day. Maybe September with special election.
      
4. 
   Communications – 5 minutes – Woody noted Andy Koehler’s thank for attending the Midwest Facility Masters Conference
   

3. 
   Consent Agenda – 5 minutes Director Avery moved approval for the consent agenda items listed below. Past President Knight seconded the motion. Board passed unanimously
   
   1. 
      Approval of December 11, 2014 Board of Director Meeting Minutes
      
   2. 
      File New Members (December, 2014 and January, 2015)
      
   3. 
      Treasurer’s Report
      
      1. 
         Receive and File Financial Reports
         

1. 
   October 2014
   
2. 
   November 2014
   
3. 
   December 2014
   
4. 
   Year to Date
   

4. 
   Next Steps/Assignments/Future Agenda Items
   
   1. 
      Parking Lot Items – Leadership Team – 5 minutes
      Investing in WI Public Schools – Woody - Scot Ecker is arranging for a video on the training – update on hold.
      
   2. 
      Future Meetings
      
      1. 
         April 15, 2015, Pewaukee
         

1. 
   Strategic Planning – Bob Avery
   
2. 
   Policy Governance
   
3. 
   Select Award Recipients (Could be done by separate conference call meeting.)
   
4. 
   ASBO Leadership Conference/Board Self-Evaluation Results
   

1. 
   June 4, 2015, Madison
   

1. 
   Incoming and Outgoing Board Meet Together
   
2. 
   Board Orientation (June 3, 2015)
   
3. 
   Committee Chair & Board Liaison Appointments
   
4. 
   Executive Director Evaluation and Contract (move to April meeting)
   
5. 
   Policy Governance
   
6. 
   Constitution
   

5. 
   Meeting Evaluation – Lynn noted that John did a great job!
   
6. 
   Meeting adjourned at 1:25pm