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Merced River Superintendent/Principal Speaks Out!
Helio Brasil, Superintendent-Principal of Merced River School District in Merced County recently sent a passionate and relevant letter to the Governor and Legislature regarding their dysfunctional behavior.
It is only one example of an educational leader becoming legislatively active. In addition, his district is participating in “Start the Day for Students” and with other districts throughout the state will, “Stand Up for Schools and California’s Future!” Parents and community members are invited to participate at the school.
While most of our undergraduate and graduate work did not center on the politics of education, we now find our districts suffering from this “quagmire” created by partisan politics.
To help address this issue, SSDA has planned and invites all small districts to its April 14, 2010 Legislative Action Day. Those interested in knowing more about the event are encouraged to call SSDA Legislative Advocate, Dave Walrath at (916) 441-3300.
This event is a pre-cursor to the SSDA Annual Conference. Hopefully, while in Sacramento, you will be able to register for the Annual Conference. Information on the conference is available on our homepage or by calling the SSDA office at (916) 444-9335.
Click here for a copy of Dr. Helio's letter sent to Governor Schwarzenegger and Members of the State Legislature.
02.23.10: SB 1136 - State Cash Deferral Relief for Small Districts
Senator Cox has introduced Senate Bill 1136 to provide state cash deferral relief for small (500 or fewer ADA) school districts. While the state is considering restructuring the revenue limit deferrals to potentially increase the deferrals, SB 1136 is a hope for some relief.
SSDA is working with Senator Cox and his staff on this bill that would help more than 300 small districts. The bill would limit the amount of deferrals the state could make to small districts to be no more than the districts statutory reserve for economic uncertainties. The bill requires a 2/3 vote to pass the State Senate and the State Assembly.
If your district wants to support the bill, please e-mail me (dwalrath@m-w-h.com) and I will send you a draft support letter and a sample school board resolution for the bill that you can send to Senator Cox, your State Senator and Assembly Member.
Thank you for your consideration.
SSDA 27th ANNUAL CONFERENCE – APRIL 14-16, 2010
Early Bird Registration Has Been Extended
“Students Need Every Single One of Us!”
SSDA Annual Conference Chairman, Dr. David Hutt, Superintendent of San Bruno Park Elementary School District, is pleased to invite all representatives of small districts to attend the 27th Annual Conference at the Doubletree Hotel in Sacramento on April 14-16, 2010.
During these difficult times one must be well educated with current legislation, the budget, and creative options for guiding our districts. The place to find this information and engage in stimulating conversation will be at the SSDA 27th Annual Conference.
A TENTATIVE SCHEDULE of events is now available. The Conference begins on Wednesday, April 14, 2010 at 4:00 p.m. with Keynote Speaker, John Vandenburgh, "The Power of Relations in Education!" followed by an excellent trade show and refreshments. A full day of Workshops is scheduled for Thursday, April 15, 2010. David Walrath will provide his insights at breakfast on Friday, April 16, 2010 followed by two hour workshops presented by the five most highly rated presenters from the 2009 Conference. Please click here for the CONFERENCE SCHEDULE.
For a listing of our "Workshops"...see below..
Click here for a listing of our "Workshops" being held on Thursday, April 15, 2010 from 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (latest update 03/10/10)
FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2010 SPECIAL:
YOU WANTED MORE, WE LISTENED!
Your evaluations regarding the 2009 Annual Conference indicated several workshops to be outstanding and in need of more time.
Conference Chair, Dr. David Hutt, with support of the Executive Committee restructured the Annual Conference and added two-hour workshops after David Walrath’s presentation on Friday, April 16, 2010, 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Those popular workshops and presenters are listed below.
Click here for a listing of our "2-hour Workshops" being held on Friday, April 16, 2010 from 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Click here for a printable registration form (District/COE)
Click here to register on-line (District/COE)
Keynote speakers for the event have been selected and confirmed:
John Vandenburgh – an ever popular and nationally recognized speaker, program developer, and trainer on violence prevention and youth development approaches to education, will return.
Gary Zelesky – One word that encapsulates Gary Zelesky: PASSION. Gary’s exciting, enthusiastic energy and explosive humor are definitely memorable, but it is his PASSION for life and the audience and his ability to connect with them in a way few do that makes Gary such a demanded speaker.
Matt Spathas – a passionate presenter, will speak on transforming the 150-year-old educational delivery system, to engage students and prepare them for the 21st century.
David Walrath – SSDA’s highly respected and informative Legislative Advocate, will present his views on current legislation and fiscal issues impacting small districts.
The Executive Committee changed the format from Thursday-Friday-Saturday to Wednesday-Thursday-Friday. In addition, the five most popular workshops from last year’s successful conference have been invited back. Each will present two hour workshops on Friday, April 16, 2010, after David Walrath’s presentation.
Trustees and Superintendents should register early to receive the “Early Bird” benefit of a reduced cost of registration (click here to register online). Special room rates have been negotiated with the Doubletree Hotel. Online room reservations at The Doubletree Hotel are available click here.
Associates with questions regarding Trade Show information and booth availability click here or you may call SSDA at (916) 444-9335, and direct your questions to Executive Assistant, Shelly Tillery (shelly@ssda.org) or Executive Director, Al Sandrini (al@ssda.org).
