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extracurricular activities at public schools. AASB sees the move as just another back-door approach to siphoning funding from public schools. Even through the emergency disaster relief bills, such as those related to the devastating hurricane season, the voucher issue surfaces. Improving the health of Alabama’s youth is indeed a worthwhile effort, one that has AASB’s support. In 2004, Alabama was ranked the “fattest state” in the nation, according to the Trust for America’s Health, falling to second behind Mississippi in the ranking this year. AASB is participating in Alabama coalitions charged with studying and addressing the state’s health crisis, particularly as it relates to children. The Healthy Team Leadership Network and the Alabama Department of Public Health’s Alabama Obesity Task Force search for a strategic plan to prevent and control Alabama’s weight problem. The Legislature’s Statewide Committee to Review the State of Health of America’s Youth places emphasis on improving the health of Alabama’s children. Already, bills are prefiled to be considered during the session impacting our schools. The topics range from cell phones to bullying, curriculum to stipends. An important bill for AASB is the School Bus Safety Act which was just shy of passage last year. The act would curb the thousands of Alabama drivers who illegally pass school buses each year. In a single-day survey last year, Alabama school bus drivers counted nearly 2,000 drivers who failed to stop as required when students are getting on and off the bus. Local school boards and the state Department of Education urge lawmakers not to delay this safety issue for the 366,000 children who ride the school bus each day. Since the last session, an 8-year-old child was killed by just this type of offense. Rep. Randy Davis will once again sponsor the bill to impose fines and penalties that increase for repeat offenses. Looking ahead to the 2006 regular session of the Alabama Legislature, it’s easy to see some matters will become campaign fodder and others may ease through the legislative process. For that reason, AASB must gauge whether the timing is right to introduce some key education concerns and must keep its eye on key education topics already on the Legislature’s agenda. AASB is confident that the primary focus of the session will and should be the funding of Alabama’s public education. ▲
At the Table Dan Meissner School Board Tuscaloosa City Hometown I was born in Atlanta but grew up in Birmingham, where I attended public schools in Mountain Brook and Birmingham City systems. I’ve been a resident of Tuscaloosa for 38 years. A Board Member Since: Well, I served one four-year term as a district board member and became chair — a citywide elected post in our city – in the summer 2005 municipal elections. Books at Bedside The World’s Most Powerful Leadership Principle: How to Become a Servant Leader and From Good to Great Inspiration I’m most inspired by my 16-year-old daughter, who is the pride and joy of my life. Motto as a Board Member A motto used by the CEO of my company that I have found applies in most every component of life is: "It’s never time for everything, but it’s always time for something. What is it time for now?" Walter Mitty Fantasy I don’t really want to be anything other than what I am, but I would really like to have some musical talent (which I don’t) because it is such an enriching part of life. Advice to New Board Members Plant good seeds (hire good teachers); water and fertilize regularly (encourage them and offer meaningful professional development); don’t forget to weed (don’t be afraid to remove personnel who are not contributing). Then be patient – the garden will grow (students will succeed). Greatest Accomplishment as a Board Member Seeing our system grow and our test scores improve in underperforming schools. Pet Peeve as a Board Member People who take a narrow view and don’t take the time to listen to broader issues and concerns. Reason I Like Being an AASB Member The AASB meetings provide a great opportunity to focus on measures to continually improve our process and learn how others are approaching the same issues we face. My Epitaph "God gave me work while I lived, and life ’til my work was done." Still, I’ve always liked Frank Sinatra’s song and epitaph on his tombstone: "The best is yet to come." Alabama School Boards • December 2005 11