Inside
JULY/AUGUST 2008 Vol. 29, No. 3
www.AlabamaSchoolBoards.org
IMAGINATION: Hope for a New Generation
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10 10 QUESTIONS Dr. Mabrey Whetstone, Special Ed Services Director, discusses his role in the statewide quest for quality education for all children.
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ESTABLISH SAFER ROUTES TO SCHOOL
11 WORLD TRAVELER BECOMES NSBA'S 61ST PRESIDENT Barbara Bolas took the reins as the National School Boards Association president for the 2008-09 term in April.
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FEATURES 8 WORKSHOP TEACHES PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINE About 150 education leaders and professionals participated in AASB’s workshop on “Progressive Discipline: Disciplining and Dismissing Employees in Today's Legal Climate.”
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Full Inclusion or Responsible Inclusion? THE CHOICE IS SIMPLE
14 ROBOKIDS: ROBOTICS PROGRAM INSPIRES INGENUITY 16 COVER STORY A Guide to the Revised Competitive Bid Law
IN EVERY ISSUE 4 UP FRONT 6 EDUCATION & THE LAW 27 CALENDAR 15 HELP 26 BOARDMANSHIP BASICS 28 PEOPLE & SCHOOLS 31 AT THE TABLE ON THE COVER: photo/artwork©istockPhoto.com
OFFICERS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT Sue Helms Madison City
DISTRICT 1 Patsy Black Monroe County
PRESIDENT-ELECT Florence Bellamy Phenix City
DISTRICT 2 Bill Minor Dallas County
VICE PRESIDENT Steve Foster Lowndes County
DISTRICT 3 Jeff Bailey Covington County
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Jim Methvin Alabama School of Fine Arts
DISTRICT 4 Katy S. Campbell Macon County
STAFF
DISTRICT 5 Jennifer Parsons Jefferson County
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Sally Brewer Howell, J.D. CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Ken Roberts, C.P.A. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS Denise L. Berkhalter DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS Lissa Astilla Tucker DIRECTOR OF BOARD DEVELOPMENT LuAnn Bird EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Tammy Wright ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS Debora Hendricks Donna Norris BOOKKEEPER Kay Shaw
DISTRICT 6 Sue Jones Jacksonville DISTRICT 7 Susan Harris Winfield DISTRICT 8 Pam Doyle Muscle Shoals DISTRICT 9 Laura Casey Albertville STATE BOARD Sandra Ray Tuscaloosa
RECEPTIONIST Lashana Summerlin CLERICAL ASSISTANT Shannon Hendricks Alabama School Boards • July/August 2008 3