The Administrator Newsletter - August 2023

WELCOME AND SUPPORT NEW EDUCATORS

Dr. Hernandez discusses the supports available to new administrators.

Executive Viewpoint Page 3

POSITIVE LEADERSHIP: IT MAKES A

DIFFERENCE

Dr. Neathery provides tips for creating a positive culture that will last all year long.

President’s Perspective Page 4

ADMINISTRATOR SPOTLIGHT: ELLEN PHIPPS

In the Spotlight this month is Ellen Phipps, Director of Curriculum and Instruction for the Ouachita School District.

TABLE

7

AAEA Staff

Dr. Mike Hernandez Executive Director m.hernandez@theaaea.org

2023 Calendar of Events

September

New GT Coordinators Workshop, September 14, 2023

Solution Tree Offices, Little Rock

Mike Mertens Assistant Executive Director m.mertens@theaaea.org

Lenett Thrasher Director of Learning Services & Operations l.thrasher@theaaea.org

Sharon Chuculate Fiscal Services Coordinator s.chuculate@theaaea.org

AAFC Fall Conference, September 20-22, 2023

Hot Springs Convention Center

ArkASPA HR Bootcamp, September 26, 2023

Wyndham Riverfront, North Little Rock

October

ASPMA Conference, October 2-4, 2023

Hot Springs Convention Center

Sarah Shamburger Business Manager s.shamburger@theaaea.org

Alyse Mattox Communications & Technology Specialist a.mattox@theaaea.org

Melanie Thrasher Business Analyst m.thrasher@theaaea.org

AAGEA Conference, October 4-5, 2023

Benton Event Center

AAEA Fall Conference, October 10, 2023

Benton Event Center

CASBO Certification Classes, October 24-25, 2023

Four Points by Sheraton, Little Rock

November

Lana Webb Administrative Specialist l.webb@theaaea.org

AACTEA Conference, November 9, 2023

Delta Marriott, Little Rock

Rachel Blocker Administrative Assistant r.blocker@theaaea.org

For more information, visit theaaea.org/events or see Page 9.

2023-2024 AAEA Board of Directors

Dr. Karla Neathery AAEA President

Superintendent, Sheridan

Dr. Andrea Martin AASA President Superintendent, Greenland

Steven Helmick

AAESP President-Elect Principal, Little Rock

Matt Ziegler AASSP Past President Principal, Riverside

Kelsey Bailey

AASBO President Chief Financial Officer, Little Rock

Valerie King AAGEA President Director of Gifted Programs, Siloam Springs

Stacy DeFoor AAEA President-Elect Assistant Superintendent, Benton

Kelvin Gragg AASA President-Elect AssistantPineSuperintendent, Bluff

Carol Skiba AAESP Past President Principal, Cabot

Rebecca Rosburg ArkASPA President Assistant Superintendent for HR/Federal Programs, Hot Springs

Melody Crane AASBO Past President Business Manager/District Treasurer, Hector

Jason Brunner AAMLA President Assistant Principal, Bentonville

Jarod Morrison Tel-AR President Director of Maintenance/ Technology, Farmington

Charles Warren AAEA Board Secretary Chief Financial Officer, Fort Smith

Dr. Debbie Bruick-Jones AASA Secretary Superintendent, Bentonville

Amy Marek AASSP President Principal, Hazen

Lisa AACTEAHotsenpiller President Director of Career & Technical Education, Fayetteville

Natalie Gosdin AASEA President Director of Special Education, Searcy

Craig Dupuy ASPMA President (until Oct) Superintendent, Cleveland County

Dr. Mike Hernandez AAEA Executive Director

Prestigious

Brian Kirkendoll AAEA Past President Principal, Alma

Shawn Rose

AAESP President Principal, Hillcrest

Dr. Jason Reeves AASSP President-Elect Assistant Principal, Alma

Dr. Dana Brown AAFC President Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services, Mountain Home

Ellen Phipps AACIA President Curriculum Director, Ouachita

Greg Collins ASPMA President (begin Oct) Maintenance/Facilities Supervisor, Dover

2023 AAEA Corporate Sponsors

American Fidelity Assurance Co.

Cognia

Coryell Roofing and Construction, Inc.

Curriculum Associates

Educational Benefits, Inc.

GoSchoolBox

Lifetouch National School Studios, Inc.

NIET - National Institute for

Excellence in Teaching Performance Services

Pro Benefits Group, Inc.

Renaissance Learning, Inc.

School Responder

Solution Tree, Inc.

Distinguished Apptegy

Capturing Kids’ Hearts

Lexia Learning

Pearson Virtual Schools

Diamond Allovue

Arkansas Public Safety Solutions

Baldwin & Shell

ClassWallet

Diamond (Continued)

Defined Learning

Edmentum

Education Elements Energy Systems Group

ESS

First Security Beardsley

Imagine Learning

Just Right Reader

Middleton, Inc.

OnToCollege

SmartData Dashboard

Stephens, Inc.

Tanium

White River Services and Solutions

Winsor Learning

Platinum AAMSCO

Architecture Plus, Inc.

C.R. Crawford Construction, LLC

Cromwell Architects Engineers

DotCom Therapy, Inc.

Entegrity Energy Partners, LLC

Legacy Construction Management

Nabholz Construction Corp.

Platinum (Continued)

Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA)

Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects

Progressive Technologies

TRANE US, Inc.

Gold

CDI Contractors

Cynergy Rehab Group

Goalbook

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

IXL Learning

Kinco Constructors, LLC

Phoenix Contractors, LLC

Red Comet

TIPS - The Interlocal Purchasing System

Zaner-Bloser

Silver Adleta

American Bus Sales, Inc.

Correll, Inc.

French Architects, PA

Hight-Jackson Associates, PA

SEAS

Dr. Mike Hernandez, AAEA Executive Director

WELCOME AND SUPPORT NEW EDUCATORS

August is upon us. This month brings with it the starting of school and many new laws taking effect. Many new staff members are entering the profession as teachers or taking on new roles in the various districts across Arkansas. In addition to the numerous new teachers and classified staff, there are first-year superintendents and beginning administrators. AAEA is proud to be able to support many new administrators as they begin their role leading fellow educators. Support for new leaders is vital to the school system's success and helps retain leaders for years to come.

We currently have 24 superintendents that are new to this role or are new to Arkansas. They have all been assigned mentors from our pool of talented district leaders. Training started with an extensive overview of the state's financial system and relevant laws. There will be other opportunities to meet with their mentors and discuss topics such as academics, facilities, personnel, etc. These new superintendents will have the added challenge of navigating some of the new laws going into effect, such as the LEARNS Act. Based on what I have seen of these new leaders, they are ready to excel for their students and communities in their new roles.

Beginning Administrator Induction is well underway for the year. The over 245 beginning administrators include assistant principals, principals, curriculum administrators, and special education supervisors. Thirty-eight administrator mentors have been identified to provide support to the new administrators. This support typically takes the form of Zoom check-ins twice a month with other mentees discussing pertinent issues and reviewing timelines in the Arkansas Survive and Thrive Checklist. This checklist is a month-by-month guide to items a new administrator should keep check on throughout the year. The new administrators also have access to over 15 Hot Topic virtual meetings covering various topics such as PLCs, 504, and dyslexia.

We have several other mentoring groups that will kick off in the coming weeks. AAGEA will host the New GT Coordinators Workshop on September 14th. AASBO will also have several mentoring events throughout the year for new business managers. Mentoring new administrators is very important to the continuity and success of school districts. A mentor will support, encourage, provide feedback, advice, and help mentees define and reach their goals. Having a great mentor can set one's career on a positive trajectory grounded in sound educational practices. The mentor gets equal benefits from the relationship. I have learned much from teaching others, similar to a teacher's role in a classroom. As administrators, you must ensure that all of your new staff have an opportunity to be in a quality mentor program that provides support and leads to retention. You must also ensure that your veteran staff has the support and opportunity to serve as mentors.

The AAEA Summer Conference was a great event. Attendance was excellent, and the attendees found numerous opportunities to network and learn from experts in various areas of education. We thank our exhibitors and sponsors who could show their services or products in the exhibit hall. Several students were involved in presentations and supporting the demonstrations at the Be Pro Be Proud exhibit.

We are looking forward to next year. Mark your calendars for July 29-31, 2024. I hope you have a productive few weeks with your staff returning to campus and a great start to your new year.

President’s Perspective

Dr. Karla Neathery, AAEA Board President

POSITIVE LEADERSHIP: IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE

The single most important job of a school administrator is creating a school environment where staff and students feel safe, supported, engaged and accepted. In today's fast-paced, rapidly changing world, leaders and districts need to create positive work environments. Although this is challenging for every leader, it is critical to navigate in order to be successful.

Employees who feel cared for by leadership perform better. Forming solid relationships by making time to authentically connect is just part of the equation. Several qualities contribute to a positive team culture that gets team members excited about work.

Here are some tips for building a positive culture all school employees will enjoy:

Foster connection opportunities

Ensure your team members are getting to work together and meet others within the district. Have district leaders connect them with others in the district so they can support one another. This makes it easier for employees to ask questions of seasoned employees.

Be welcoming

District leaders and employees should frequently interact with one another to create a culture of cohesive teamwork. While leaders may have different duties, at a minimum, ensure that administration is checking in to ask people how they are doing. Asking about employees’ families, hobbies, and interests in a sincere manner makes a difference.

Enjoy team-building together

There is no “I” in team. Come together for specific training exercises that play upon team strengths and weaknesses while having a little fun. Whether you do these monthly or quarterly, it gives team members something fun to look forward to and breaks up the work week.

Create stability

The world is full of unknowns right now. It is important for employees to feel stable in their career. Keep them in the loop of any district changes, upcoming leadership changes, and other challenges your district may be facing. Assure your employees that their roles are a key part of continued success.

Uphold high expectations

Make it clear what your district expects when it comes to roles, responsibilities and expectations. Let employees know that it is OK to fail with high expectations. This creates trust and employees will feel safe sharing ideas. Reward those who implement new ideas and praise their efforts. This instills a growth mindset and will help your top employees achieve job satisfaction.

As a school leader, you want to see your team/district excited to come to work every day. Cultivating and maintaining a positive culture can play a huge role in that. When employees feel supported, happy and engaged, they will thrive in all areas.

Asked & Answered

Mike Mertens, AAEA Assistant Executive Director

The question was, "What's the most recent data we have on the average millage rate for school districts statewide?” The answer is 38.95 in 2022 compared to 38.93 in 2021. Data on millage rates dating back to 2006 can be found on the DESE website. Other interesting facts from this 2022 report include:

• The average M&O millage rate for the state is 25.76.

• The average Dedicated M&O millage rate for the state is 0.7. Only 10 districts have dedicated M&O millage rates.

• The average Debt Service millage rate for the state is 13.11. The highest Debt Service millage rate in the state is 29.80. The lowest is "0." Three districts have no voted debt service mills.

• The highest voted total millage rate in the state is 54.80. Only one district in the state has a total millage rate over 50.00. The lowest voted total millage rate in the state is 28.30. Two districts in the state have a total millage rate below 30.00.

If you have questions for Mike, email him at m.mertens@theaaea.org .

The Trap of a Worthless Warranty Over the Top

Submitted by Deveny Coryell, Editor, Coryell Roofing & Construction

“Protect your institution by learning to navigate the traps of worthless warranties,” Chris Coryell, CEO Coryell Roofing and Construction, Inc.

Imagine this: A school bus beside the road with a flat tire. The kiddos are restless and loud--ready to be off the bus. Eventually, a serviceman arrives. There are shouts of hooray from the kiddos and a sigh of relief from the frazzled bus driver.

The serviceman takes a brand new, name brand tire for a passenger sedan from his truck, removes the failed bus tire, and carefully, skillfully puts the tire on the bus. Job well done.

He steps inside the bus and says, “You have a brand-new tire with a sixty-thousand-mile warranty. You are all set to go.”

But are they?

Of course not. That tire was not made to handle the load of a school bus. That tire will fail. Those kiddos and that driver are not safe. As for the great warranty it is no good. That tire was never meant to carry the load of that bus, and that fact will void its warranty.

Just as in the above scenario, it is possible for a roofing system not rated for the wind and hail in your area to be installed on your facility, and if it is, no matter how good the warranty, it may be voided.

Enter FM Approvals. FM Approvals product testing and certification program gives your company standards of excellence to demand from vendors, contractors, and builders, because we’ve made those standards universally available. When you see a product or service with the FM APPROVED certification mark, you’ll know it meets the highest property loss prevention product testing and certification standards. It is a certification recognized by the world’s leading regulatory authorities. Putting an FM APPROVED product on a facility will ensure the roofing system has been tested and certified to stand up to the weather elements in your specific area. This will help ensure your warranty will stand in the event of damage.

Chris Coryell and his team are assisting Arkansas schools by educating administrators about FM Approved products and ways to design a robust roofing system for their specific climate zones. Schedule a free consultation today!

Compliance Connection

2024 HSA Limits Announced

Submitted by Ginger Huff, Arkansas State Manager, American Fidelity Assurance Co.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced annual inflation adjustments for High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). These increases are effective for 2024.

View the Full List of Adjustments

How to Increase HSA Participation

If you have any questions or need help communicating these changes to employees, please contact us.

CoSN: Support for Technology Administrators

CoSN is a great resource for school technology administrators. Check this page monthly for links to articles to assist technology leaders as they navigate through digital learning transformations.

Click Here to Read About This Month’s Topics

Administrator Spotlight:

Ellen Phipps Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Ouachita School District

Ellen Phipps, Director of Curriculum and Instruction for the Ouachita School District, says that having children of her own helped inspire her to pursue a career in education. She states, "When I started college in 1989, I thought I wanted to be an accounting major with a minor in International Business. After having my own children and working with kids at the daycare I realized that I had a passion and love for children." When her family moved to Malvern in 1999, she finished her BSE in Elementary Education from Henderson State University and began working for Lakeside School District as a long-term sub. Her first “real” teaching position was at Oaklawn Elementary in Hot Springs for one year. She then taught 2nd grade at Malvern Elementary for a few years before becoming a literacy coach for the district. During that time, she went back to school and earned her MSE in Educational Leadership. She says, "I began working for Bismarck School District in 2012 as the district Curriculum Coordinator. After five years of working at the district level I decided that I missed interacting with kids. became the principal at Bismarck Middle School and worked at the Middle School for five years. A fantastic opportunity came up at Ouachita School District where I continue to work as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction.”

Ellen says of her job: "I love learning, I love helping other educators learn and I love seeing teachers succeed within their own classrooms." The most challenging part of her job is helping teacher see the big picture. She says, "Teachers have a tough job and can get caught up in the day-to-day work. That’s not a bad thing. That’s where the real work is, but it’s sometimes hard to get them to look beyond." To those considering the career she says, "Do it! But, make sure you really love children. It’s so rewarding, but it's really hard work. It can be physically, emotionally, and mentally draining, but you’ll never regret it." The biggest change she's seen over her career is that there is less "off the cuff" teaching and more thoughtfulness and planning in the approach to educating students.

Ellen hopes others would describe her as passionate about her job, and she wants to be remembered as someone who worked hard and loved kids, doing everything she could for them. She says the best advice she's received is to always make decisions based on what's best for kids, and that's how she approaches her job. She says her current goal is to see her district, teachers, and students be the best that they can be. "Working for students and teachers is my reward," she states. "My own children and my students are my legacy."

with Ellen Phipps ? ! Q&A

What might other administrators be surprised to know about you?

I love to cook. I love to garden. I love to can fresh vegetables. It’s so satisfying knowing you grew something from a small seed or plant and then made use of the fruits of your labor.

What is the most daring thing you’ve done?

I’m not really a daredevil, but I do love being spontaneous and trying new things.

What have you done that you are most proud of?

I have three children that make me extremely proud. They are all successful adults.

What do you enjoy doing during your time off?

I love to travel.

What is one of the things on your “Bucket List?”

It’s the little things that make me happy. I’d love to get a camper and camp when I want to; to travel wherever I want. I’d love to visit the Mediterranean, Ireland, Germany. I’m really game to go anywhere…as long as I’m not cold.

If you weren’t in your current position, what would you be doing?

I’d go back to the classroom to teach.

Where do you see yourself in five years? Retired?

What do you see as the biggest benefit of AAEA membership?

I love networking and learning from others. As a member of AAEA and AACIA I meet some amazing people with amazing ideas.

Awards

Kandi Keith

AASEA Administrator of the Year

Congratulations to Kandi Keith from the Hamburg School District for being named the 2023 AASEA Administrator of the Year at this year's summer conference!

Pam Kenny

AACIA Administrator of the Year

Congratulations to Pam Kenney from the Bryant School District for being named the 2023 AACIA Administrator of the Year at this year's summer conference!

Jeremy Lasiter

ArkASPA Administrator of the Year

Congratulations to Jeremy Lasiter from the Byrant School District for being named the 2023 ArkASPA Administrator of the Year at this year's summer conference!

Aaron Randolph

AAGEA Administrator of the Year

Congratulations to Aaron Randolph from the Cabot School District for being named the 2023 AAGEA Administrator of the Year at this year's summer conference!

Benefits Corner

Stay Cool

Submitted by Emily Cole, Marketing Coordinator, Educational Benefits

Summer in the south is sizzling, and staying cool is a top priority! The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention list five types of heat illness:

• Heat exhaustion – a precursor to heat stroke

• Heat stroke – a deadly illness in which the body temperature may rise to 103 degrees Fahrenheit

• Heat cramps – muscle spasms and pain that can happen during strenuous exercise in the extreme heat

• Sunburn – when the skin is burned by too much sun exposure; can lead to red, painful, and even blistered skin

• Heat rash – a skin irritation caused by excessive sweating

Signs of heat exhaustion include:

• Heavy sweating

• Weakness and/or fainting

• Cold, clammy skin

• Fast, weak pulse

• Nausea and vomiting

• Heat cramps

If someone is showing signs of heat exhaustion, call 911 and move the person to a cooler area to lie down. You can loosen their clothes and apply cool, wet cloths to their skin. Giving the person small sips of water is also beneficial.

Signs of heat stroke include:

• High body temperature, above 103 degrees Fahrenheit

• Hot, red, dry skin

• Rapid, strong pulse

• Dizziness

• Possible unconsciousness

• Nausea

• Confusion

If someone is showing signs of heat stroke, call 911 and move the person a cooler location. You can place cool, wet cloths on the person’s body and possibly give them a bath. Do not give the person a drink as it may cause vomiting and further dehydration.

Heat illness can be deadly. Use these tips to avoid heat illness:

• Drink 2 to 4 cups of water every hour when working or being active outside. Drink even if you are not thirsty; by the time you are thirsty, you will already be dehydrated.

• Avoid liquids that contain alcohol or too much sugar as they can make dehydration more likely.

• Wear sunscreen and reapply every hour or as instructed on the label.

• Schedule tasks during the least hot parts of the day, like early morning or later in the evening.

• Wear a wide brimmed hat and loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.

• Take breaks every 20 minutes in a cooler, preferably air-conditioned, area.

• Seek medical care immediately if you or someone with you shows any symptoms of heat illness.

Don’t forget to look out for children and the elderly as they are the most susceptible to heat illness. Heat is also difficult for pets, too, so keep your pets inside during the worst of the heat during the midday.

AAEA On a Role! Lana Webb

Administrative Specialist

Learn more about AAEA Staff and the roles they serve!

Administrative Specialist, Lana Webb, joined the AAEA team in June. She works in membership services ensuring that every member and non-member have their needs met, whether that be in identifying the member’s questions/concerns, managing event registration, attending sessions and issuing credit, processing invoices, and creating campaigns to alert members of upcoming events.

Before joining AAEA, Lana worked with Responsive Education Solutions in both Arkansas and Texas, as well as Liberty Eylau School District in Texarkana, TX. She says, “My time in education has been in Human Resources, and very rewarding.”

Lana says her favorite thing about working at AAEA is “The kind and supportive team that I get to spend my days with.I love to help people and I love to see others succeed. I get the best of both worlds in this position.”

Outside of work, Lana is a proud mom of two, Aleighla (22) and Noble (20). She states, “We love music! So, we are always traveling somewhere to attend a concert.”

Our Two Cents

This segment features content from other AAEA publications. Our Two Cents is a monthly publication available to subscribing districts. The following excerpt comes from the June 2023 issue.

Did You Know?

Department of Finance & Administration Revenue Report for May 2023

Tax revenue in the first 11 fiscal months of the year (July 2022-May 2023) totaled $7.898 billion, up $28.9 million (0.4%) compared with the same period in the previous fiscal year and up $25.5 million (0.3%) over the forecast, which was revised upward on May 17. Sales and use tax revenue in the first 11 months was $3.105 billion, up 8.3% compared with the same period in the previous fiscal year and up 0.4% above the revised forecast. Corporate income tax revenue in the first 11 months was $720.2 million, up $16.5 million compared to the same period last year, and 0.2% below the forecast.

The revised budget indicates the state will end the fiscal year in June with a $1.03 billion surplus. It will be the third consecutive year for a budget surplus near or more than $1 billion if the estimate holds true. The surplus in the fiscal year that ended June 2021 was $945.7 million. In FY22, the budget surplus was $1.628 billion. The full report can be viewed here.

Attorney General Opinion 2023-038

In Opinion 2023-38, the AG certified the popular name and ballot title submitted by the CAPES group for a proposed ballot measure, A Referendum to Approve or Reject the LEARNS Act. Full text of 2023-38 is included.

Attorney General Opinion 2023-027

In Opinion 2023-037, the Attorney General responded to two questions. Q1) Since there is significant risk regarding the disclosure of sensitive information during a public meeting discussing how to respond to a cyberattack, can a school board meet privately or in executive session to discuss how best to respond to threat actors in a situation of this nature? (Q2) Would the meeting described in the above question be allowed if the school board recorded the meeting for viewing by the public as soon as the emergency caused by the cyber-attack was over? The AG’s response to both questions was "no." The FOIA does not allow executive sessions to discuss cybersecurity for school districts under any circumstance. Full text of 2023-027 is included.

Attorney General Opinion 2023-040

In Opinion 2023-040, the Attorney General responded to ATRS regarding whether or not their decision to release certain employee-related records is consistent with the FOIA. The opinion reviewed two sets of decisions, “classification of records” and “disclosure.” The AG opined that the classification and disclosure decisions were only partly consistent with FOIA. Full text of 2023-040 is included.

Attorney General Opinion 2023-041

In Opinion 2023-041, the AG responded to a request from DESE regarding a FOIA request for a letter of termination for a former employee who objects to the disclosure of the record. DESE asked if the decision to release the letter of termination was consistent with the FOIA. The AG’s response was “yes,” the custodian has correctly decided to disclose the letter. Full text of 2023-041 is included.

Interested in more from Our Two Cents? Contact our office at 501-372-1691.

The AAEA Job Board is a calendar-year subscription that assists districts with the ever-increasing challenge of recruiting quality staff. It is a significant resource for educators, both in-state and out-of-state, seeking employment in Arkansas schools.

Over 165 school districts are participating in the program, which has been extremely helpful to schools and educators over the years. The site is used year-round and is accessed extensively during the second semester. It is not unusual to see over 400 jobs posted on the Job Board at one time. With an account, school districts may post unlimited job vacancies throughout the year.

To subscribe (by district) or to post job openings, contact Lana Webb, Administrative Specialist, at l.webb@theaaea.org or at 501-372-1691.

Job Openings

District Job Title

Graduate Arkansas School Counselor

Graduate Arkansas Deputy Superintendent

Jacksonville North Pulaski School District High School Assistant Principal

Pulaski County Special District

Hot Springs School District

Alpena School District

Sheridan School District

Assistant Superintedent for Human Resources

Reading Specialist and Instructional FacilitatorTitle I Coordinator at Hot Springs Junior Academy

Elementary Principal

Secondary Assistant Principal

Little Rock School District Community Schools Director

North Little Rock School District Child Nutrition Manager

Russellville School District Director of Human Resources

Pea Ridge School District Assistant Band Director

Mayflower School District Food Service Manager

Fort Smith School District

Ozark School District

Choral Director

Ozark K-12 Principal

Russellville School District RJHS Assistant Principal

Little Rock School District Construction Manager

Helena-West Helena School District Assistant LEA Supervisor - Student Services

Jacksonville North Pulaski School District Bright Futures Coordinator

Fort Smith School District Dean of Students @ Southside High School

Fort Smith School District

Dean of Students @ Northside High School

El Dorado School District Program Leader - New Induction Program Leader