The Administrator Newsletter - July 2022

VOLUME 48 • ISSUE 1 J U LY 2 0 2 2

STAY COOL AND TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF

COURTESIES THAT BUILD POSITIVE INFLUENCE

Dr. Hernandez extols the virtues of summer self-care.

Brian Kirkendoll discusses some simple measures that can yield a big impact.

Executive Viewpoint

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President’s Perspective

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Viewpoint • P. 3 President’s Perspective • P. 4 Asked and Answered • P. 5 A Breath of Fresh Air • P. 5 Administrator Spotlight • P. 7 Compliance Connection • P. 9

ADMINISTRATOR SPOTLIGHT: CARLA CURTIS In the Spotlight this month is Carla Curtis, Director of Special Services at Fayetteville School District.

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CoSN Update • P. 9 Over the Top • P. 10 Benefits Corner • P. 11 Job Openings • P. 12 Publication Sneak Peek • P. 13

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

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

Kelli Golden Chief Financial Officer k.golden@theaaea.org

Marty Smith Member Relations Manager m.smith@theaaea.org

Karen Dean Certification Program Manager k.dean@theaaea.org

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

2022-2023 Calendar of Events July

CASBO Certification Classes, July 6-7, 2022 Benton Event Center, Benton ASPMA CFD Classes, July 19, 2022 Conway School District Professional Development Annex, Conway AAEA Summer Conference, July 25-26, 2022 Statehouse Convention Center and Marriott Hotel, Little Rock

September

AAFC Fall Conference, September 21-23, 2022 Hot Springs Convention Center ArkASPA New Personnel Administrator Workshop (HR Boot Camp), September 27, 2022 Wyndham Riverfront, North Little Rock

October

ASPMA Conference & CFD Classes, October 3-5, 2022 Hot Springs Convention Center AAGEA New Coordinator Workshop, October 5, 2022 Benton Event Center, Benton AAGEA Conference, October 6, 2022 Benton Event Center, Benton AAEA Fall Conference, October 18, 2022 Benton Event Center, Benton CASBO Certification Classes, October 26-27, 2022 Benton Event Center, Benton

January

AASA Superintendent Symposium, January 10-11, 2023 DoubleTree Hotel, Little Rock AACIA Conference, January 24, 2023 Benton Event Center, Benton Tel-AR Conference, TBD

February

AASBO Conference, February 9-10, 2023 Hot Springs Convention Center ArkASPA Conference, February 23, 2023 Wyndham Riverfront, North Little Rock

April

AACTEA Conference, April 10-11, 2023 DoubleTree Hotel, Hot Springs CASBO Certification Classes, April 11-12, 2023 Benton Event Center, Benton ASPMA Certification Classes, TBD

May

ASBA/AAEA Joint Conference, May 2, 2023 Wyndham Riverfront, North Little Rock AAFC Spring Conference, May 3-5, 2023 Hot Springs Convention Center

June

Melanie Thrasher Business Analyst m.thrasher@theaaea.org

AASEA Summer Conference, June 5-6, 2023 Venue TBD AAEA School Law Conference, TBD For more information, visit theaaea.org/events or see Page 9.

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2022-2023 AAEA Board of Directors Brian Kirkendoll AAEA President Principal, Alma

Dr. Karla Neathery AAEA President-Elect Superintendent, Arkadelphia

Stacy DeFoor AAEA Board Secretary Assistant Superintendent, Benton

Dr. Stephanie Nehus AAEA Past President Superintendent, Hot Springs

Skipper Ward AASA President Superintendent, Magnolia

Dr. Andrea Martin AASA President-Elect Superintendent, Greenland

Kelvin Gragg AASA Secretary Assistant Superintendent, Pine Bluff

Carol Skiba AAESP President Principal, Cabot

Shawn Rose AAESP President-Elect Principal, Hillcrest

Mark Lewis AAESP Past President Principal, Conway

Matt Ziegler AASSP President Principal, Riverside

Dr. Karla Tarkington AASSP President-Elect Principal, Beebe

Lisa Hotsenpiller AACTEA President Career & Technical Administrator/Supervisor, Fayetteville

Julie Adams AAFC President Federal Programs Coordinator, DeWitt

Carla Curtis AASEA President Director of Special Services, Fayetteville

Dr. Steven Weber AACIA President Assistant Superintendent, Fayetteville

Scott Smith Dr. Karen Lasker AASSP Past President ArkASPA President Principal, Western Yell County Director of Personnel, Conway Melody Crane AASBO President Business Manager/District Treasurer, Hector

Kevin Luck AASBO Past President Business Manager, Vilonia

Monica Springfield AAGEA President Gifted and Talented Specialist, Ozark Unlimited Resource ESC

J.D. Keeling AAMLA President Principal, Dardanelle

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

Dr. Mike Hernandez AAEA Executive Director

Aliza Jones Craig Dupuy ASPMA President (until Oct) ASPMA President (begin Oct) Facilities Consortium Superintendent, Cleveland Coordinator, Lavaca County

2022-2023 AAEA Corporate Sponsors Prestigious

Diamond (Continued)

Platinum (Continued)

American Fidelity Assurance Co. Coryell Roofing and Construction, Inc. Curriculum Associates Educational Benefits, Inc. Imagine Learning Lifetouch National School Studios, Inc. NIET - National Institute for Excellence in Teaching Pearson Virtual Schools Pro Benefits Group, Inc. Protect Ed Renaissance Learning, Inc. Solution Tree, Inc.

Energy Systems Group ESS First Security Beardsley Middleton, Inc. OnToCollege Rave Mobile Safety SmartData Dashboard Stephens, Inc. Tanium Winsor Learning

Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects Progressive Technologies TRANE US, Inc.

Diamond Apptegy ClassLink ClassWallet Cognia Edmentum

Platinum AAMSCO Architecture Plus, Inc. C.R. Crawford Construction, LLC DotCom Therapy, Inc. Entegrity Energy Partners, LLC Legacy Construction Management Lexia Learning Nabholz Construction Corp.

Gold Cynergy Rehab Group Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Kinco Constructors, LLC Phoenix Contractors, LLC Red Comet TIPS - The Interlocal Purchasing System

Silver Correll, Inc. French Architects, PA Hight-Jackson Associates, PA SEAS

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Executive Viewpoint Dr. Mike Hernandez, AAEA Executive Director

Stay Cool and Take Care of Yourself Summer is in full swing, and the temperatures are indeed rising. I hope you have had the opportunity to enjoy the sun or the air conditioning with a good book and family. As leaders, you have worked tirelessly to ensure students were getting what they needed and stakeholders had access to information in a transparent and timely fashion. You had to make decisions in impossible situations, always keeping your students and staff in your thoughts. You have been Rock Stars!

Effective administrators have a servant's heart and our students need you to continue as leaders. You must take care of yourself during this short break. Hopefully, we are past the pandemic, but there is always some issue that will pop up needing your full attention. This recent crisis has been like nothing we have seen before and hopefully will never see again. Yes, there are situations that happen locally, but nothing this far-reaching has happened before. It is ok to admit this took a toll on you physically and emotionally.

Many have been questioned and verbally attacked in public and on social media. Some of you had to seek alternative employment due to untenable circumstances in your community. Remember that you are not alone and that your trusted friends are here for you to share your experiences and find solace.

Summer is also when our facility leaders and maintenance staff are hard at work getting things cleaned up and ready for the next school year. We have some of the best facility leaders in the country as part of the Arkansas School Plant Management Association (ASPMA). School plant personnel are tremendous people, and schools could not function without them. ASPMA has worked over the years to develop an excellent program to help facilities personnel grow and become knowledgeable in all areas of school facilities. This program is open to school personnel that want to expand their understanding of school facilities. Evidence from countless studies has proven that good, well-maintained, and safe facilities play in the quality of a child's education. You can find more information about the Certified Facilities Director Program here.

Many conversations are swirling around the state concerning special sessions, safety measures, facility costs, salaries, and tax cuts. When proposals are released into the public forum, each person has different opinions and emotions about the ideas. As administrators, we must remember that we are one large team in this great state. We have to ensure that professional and beneficial dialogue and discord lead to solutions. We must remind ourselves that there are no permanent foes or allies in the political process. As I have shared in previous communications, we need to be focused on getting support to help schools address the current staffing shortages and the long-term pipeline issues. DESE has done a great job in developing programs that hopefully support an increase in those going into the education field. Still, we must be mindful of other state salaries and in-state industries. In Little Rock, you can see a billboard encouraging educators to work in Dallas which has a salary range of $60,000-102,000. We cannot afford to keep losing our current or prospective teachers to bordering states.

Please remember to let us know if you have a beginning administrator (BAs) in your district. BAs include assistant principals, principals, curriculum administrators, and special education supervisors. Click here to view the commissioner's memo. By completing the Google Form, first-year administrators will be registered to attend the AAEA Summer Conference along with other training sessions. We appreciate the opportunity to support your new administrators.

Enjoy the rest of summer, and see you at the AAEA Summer Conference!

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President’s Perspective Brian Kirkendoll, AAEA Board President

Courtesies That Build Positive Influence Hello AAEA, I would like to introduce myself and tell you how honored and excited I am to serve Arkansas administrators and the AAEA. I am beginning my fourth year as the principal of Alma High School. I served as an assistant principal at AHS for seven years prior. I have also served in principal and assistant principal positions in the Cedarville and Paris School Districts. I taught at Alma High School and Bigelow High School prior to entering into administration 16 years ago. I am a U.S. Navy veteran and served on active duty for 6 years in the submarine force and as an intelligence officer in the USNR. I retired as a reservist after 21 years of service in 2013. I have been a part of the AAEA Board and AASSP Board for 11 years. My wife Tanya and I have been married for 28 years and our daughter Ansley is a sophomore at Arkansas Tech University.

Traits I still believe in, which have the power to build tremendous positive influence.

The power of and benefits of a handwritten card or note are appreciated by those who receive them. Few people still practice this or have never taken the time to give thank you cards, letters of affirmation, or letters to those they care about. However, people routinely do this for family members on special occasions such as birthdays and anniversaries. How long has it been since you received a handwritten card or given one to someone? I routinely send cards to teachers on birthdays, monumental events, and just because. The power of a positive handwritten note is meaningful and I hope more of us can pick up this practice once again.

Another professional courtesy that seems to have lost its way is contacting principals and superintendents when people are interviewed for jobs.

This should go beyond a reference for due diligence purposes. If a teacher or faculty member applies for a job in your building, and they are serious contenders, I hope someone always calls and tells their current supervisor about it. The professional courtesy of simply saying “I am going to recommend your staff member, and I just wanted to let you know,” is not as common as it used to be.

I always call, and I have always appreciated being called.

As we put COVID-related issues behind us, I think we can all improve on some professional courtesies of the past. Many of you have never waned on these while others may not have really thought about it. During the 2022/23 school year, if you decide to engage in sending positive notes to your staff or make professional courtesy calls, the results could be beyond what you realize. Also, they could be contagious. I look forward to seeing you in July at our annual AAEA Conference and please reach out to me if I can assist you in any way.

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Asked & Answered Mike Mertens, AAEA Assistant Executive Director The question was twofold, "What's the deadline for districts to give the Annual Report to the Public each year?" and "What information is required to be in the Annual Report?"

Both questions are answered in Standard 3-B.2 of the Standards for Accreditation. Each public school district board of directors shall systematically and, at least annually, explain its policies, programs, and goals to the community in a public meeting that provides opportunities for parents and other members of the community to ask questions and make suggestions concerning the school program in accordance with the laws of the State of Arkansas and DESE rules. The report shall detail the progress of the district and schools toward accomplishing program goals, accreditation standards, and proposals to correct deficiencies. The report shall be made available to the public and the public shall be notified of the meeting.

So, the Annual Report may be given any time during the year. Also, districts have broad latitude on developing the specifics of the report as long as the report details the progress of the district and schools toward accomplishing program goals, accreditation standards, and proposals to correct deficiencies.

A few other reminders. According to Standard B.2.1, the annual report to the public shall be posted on the district website under State – Required Information no later than 10 days after the public meeting is held. Also, a common practice is for districts to have the Annual Report to the Public in conjunction with a regular board meeting.

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

A Breath of Fresh Air Air Quality and Cognitive Function

By Protect Ed in EdWeek, Submitted by Ashley Creviston, Protect Ed The importance of air quality goes beyond health benefits. Clean air has been shown to impact cognitive function in students as well. By ensuring students have clean air to breathe, schools can better position students for future academic success.

According to Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s “Schools for Health” report, contaminated air may hamper learning by compromising brain development, triggering illnesses that impact attendance and disrupting students’ attention. In fact, there is a direct correlation with test scores: • According to a study from the London School of Economics, tracking 2,400 university students who took 11,000 exams at multiple locations over multiple days, poor air quality compromised test results even when pollution levels fell well below EPA standards.

• In a Texas school district, test scores rose after 66 schools were renovated to improve air quality, including removing mold and improving ventilation.

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• An estimated 46% of U.S. public schools, (about 60,000 school buildings) faced air-quality challenges prior to the pandemic. — Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s “Schools for Health” Report • Indoor air is 5-10x more contaminated than outdoor air.

Over the course of a K-12 education, a child will spend more than 15,000 hours at school. Classrooms, cafeterias, libraries and gymnasiums, even when cleaned to high standards, are reservoirs for biological and chemical contaminants.

Children have lungs that are still developing and narrow airways, so it is critically important to ensure the air they breathe is clean. By improving air quality, schools are better able to keep kids learning in the classroom, reducing absenteeism while having a positive impact an academic performance.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Register Here!

Certified Facilities Director classes will be held July 19, 2022 at the Conway Public Schools Administrative Annex and will also be live-streamed.

Classes will include Introduction to Risk Management (RM101), Basics of Custodial Activities (BCA101) and Budgeting for Facilities, Custodial, and Maintenance (BCA201). Register here!

AAEA Welcomes Constituent Group

The AAEA is pleased to welcome Technology Educational Leaders of Arkansas (TEL-AR) as our newest constituent group. TEL-AR creates a community of learning leaders through collaboration and mentorships. They are a local affiliate of the national organization Consortium for School Networking (CoSN). The group supports leaders seeking the Certified Educational Technology Leader (CETL) Program through CoSN, which provides a robust framework that guides growth for all school leaders.

Lastly, TEL-AR seeks to increase the representation of technology leaders in both the district administrative cabinet and at the state level. Read more information about TEL-AR here, or contact the AAEA to inquire about adding this constituent group to your membership!

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Administrator Spotlight:

Carla Curtis

Director of Special Services, Fayetteville School District Carla Curtis, Director of Special Services for Fayetteville Public Schools, says she knew from the time she was in high school that she wanted to be a teacher. She says, "I always valued my teachers and wanted to please them. I always loved school and enjoyed going and loved playing basketball. I had teachers that I thought were amazing and those that I thought should do things differently." Now, she has just completed her 31st year in education, having spent six years as a classroom teacher and 25 years as an administrator overseeing special education in Arkansas schools. She states, "I started my career as a first grade teacher at Pine Forest Elementary within Pulaski County Special School District and moved into special education the following year and have been there ever since." The last eleven years have been with the Fayetteville Public Schools as the Director of Special Services.

Carla says others might describe her as supportive, approachable, positive, and having a calm demeanor. Dr. Colbert, FPS superintendent, says of Carla, “Mrs. Curtis has gone above and beyond during the time I have known her as our Director of Special Education in the FPS District. She is a true advocate of students with special needs. No one fights as hard as Mrs. Curtis when it comes to protecting the rights of our students and providing the appropriate services for them.”

Dr. Tucker, FPS Associate Superintendent for Administrative Service says, “Carla is the consummate professional. She works diligently with parents and staff to ensure the provision of appropriate services for our students with special needs. Carla is an integral part of the Office of Teaching and Learning, as she deeply understands the role that ALL staff have in supporting our students with disabilities. She manages a large department with grace, fidelity, and always with a smile! She is truly an integral part of the FPS family and an asset to our profession.” Because of her efforts, Carla recently received an Equity Champion award in recognition of the equitable services that were provided to students with disabilities during the pandemic.

Carla says that when it comes to her favorite part about her job, it is hands-down the relationships she has with those she works alongside. She says, "I love my bosses and upper leadership, and the special educators on my team are what makes our program successful. They are the most creative, loving, fun and empathetic group of people I have ever met.

They are simply AMAZING!" The most challenging aspect of her job is that "the nature of educating students with the most complex needs can be a challenge in general, but it is also the most rewarding." She also says time management is always a challenge, and that it can be difficult to balance the need to complete so many tasks both big and small with family and leisure time. The biggest change she's seen in education over her career is the current shift in the provision of special education services in Arkansas "The focus is on creating inclusive classroom environments and educational opportunities that ALL students can access, be included in and gain meaningful learning experiences."

The best advice Carla says she has received includes “If you don’t tell your own story, someone else will” and “If someone does something that is hurtful or upsetting to you, give it some careful thought before responding or reacting….24 to 48 hours is a good rule of thumb.” She says to those considering a similar career: "Go for it!!! If you are passionate about promoting the growth and success of others, then this would be a good career choice. If you do choose this field, find a good mentor and value the advice from those with mature experience."

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!

Q&A ?

with

As a teenager, I used to jump from “Little Cedar” on the Buffalo at the 65 bridge. It always took some careful thought and concentration to actually jump.

What do you enjoy doing during your time off?

I love waking up without an alarm and not having an agenda. In the summer, I enjoy laying by the pool and swimming and vacationing at the beach. I grew up in the small town of St. Joe near the Buffalo River and floating and being on the Buffalo is still one of my favorite places to be. I also love to snow ski and spend time with my family in any capacity.

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

I want to vacation with my husband on the west coast and drive in a convertible along the pacific coast. I also want to visit D.C. again with my husband and go back to NYC.

What are the goals you are still working toward?

Continuing to focus on professional relationships, being a good listener and always looking for ways to manage time more efficiently

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Very, very near retirement!

When people look back at your life, how do you want to be remembered?

I would hope to be remembered as being compassionate and caring and a good friend to all. I would also want to be remembered as being a devoted wife and mother and a good caretaker and provider for my family.

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

The advocacy that the AAEA provides is a great benefit. A sense of peace is given knowing that our organization has a voice in legislative policy and decision making. I value the support and relationships of meeting other educational leaders across the state at professional conferences.

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Compliance Connection “Family Glitch” Regulations Pose New Challenges for Employers, Employees Submitted by Ginger Huff, Arkansas State Manager, American Fidelity Assurance Co. Under current ACA policy, people who seek to purchase their medical coverage on the Marketplace are provided tax subsidies to help with the cost if they meet certain criteria. One of those criteria is that they do not have access to affordable minimum essential coverage elsewhere – usually employer sponsored coverage. Currently, when you offer your employees, coverage deemed “affordable” based on the individual rate, members of your employee’s household are barred from receiving a tax credit to purchase Marketplace coverage. As a result, family members of workers — usually low-income workers — are ineligible to receive premium tax credits through the Marketplace even when family coverage is unaffordable.

• Adult children who are still covered under a parent’s plan but are no longer tax dependents will be left out of the ACA subsidies for the household members.

The proposed rules would allow for subsidies for those family members if the family coverage you offer costs more than 9.61%* of household income. While this seems straightforward, there are several open questions created by this proposed rule change:

• Families may end up purchasing two policies – one for the employee and another for the family members – resulting in having to meet two deductibles, two different out of pocket limits and potentially two different provider networks.

• You will still only be required to make employee-only coverage “affordable” per the employer mandate provision.

The proposed rule changes are open for comment for 60 days. Comments will then be reviewed, and potential changes adopted. The target date to finalize the new rule is by the end of 2022, meaning the new rule would go into effect for the 2023 tax year. Stay tuned for additional information and considerations.

• Reporting changes – and challenges – lie ahead; currently you are only required to report one type of coverage (employee-only) and the associated cost.

• Marketplace applications currently only ask for the cost of employee-only coverage – this requirement will have to be updated to reflect the lowest cost for the family member seeking a subsidy. Spouses and children of the employee may have to report different costs if you offer coverage with multi-tiered rates.

• You may face a yet unknown change to your risk pool if your employees’ family members elect to take a premium tax credit to purchase coverage from the Marketplace.

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 • CoSN Cybersecurity Leadership Game • The EmpowerED Superintendent edWebinar Series • CoSN Membership

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Over the Top Cool Savings with Cool Roof Technology Submitted by Deveny Cay Wells, Editor, Coryell Roofing & Construction We at Coryell Roofing hope you, our friends in the Arkansas educational system, are staying cool and enjoying your summer break. Speaking of staying cool, did you know that you live in the 9th hottest state in the nation—ranking even above the state of Arizona? In fact, from April to October, 7 months of the year, temperatures in the "the wonder state" range from the mid-70s to the mid-90s. Considering the 7 months of heat in your state, let's look at what matters when it comes to your roof and its effect on your cooling system and your school budget.

Roofing materials and color matter: Over time, UV rays degrade roofing materials, especially asphalt and tar. A degrading roof allows heat into your facility. Also, dark roofs can absorb as much as 90% of the sun's heat. According to the Department of Energy, “[c]onventional roofs can reach temperatures of 150° or more on a sunny summer afternoon.”

The roof can transfer this heat through its surface to the building interior.

Heat transfer matters: Heat transferred from your roof to your interior forces your HVAC to work harder. Each year, you see this cost in higher-than-necessary electric bills. In the long-term, you see this cost in HVAC repairs and replacements.

The state of the economy matters: The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports that U.S retail energy prices rose in 2021 at the fastest rate since 2008. Rates in 2022 are projected to continue to rise.

HVAC supplier ABR Wholesaler's, Inc. writes that HVAC industry prices increased at historical rates in 2021 and will continue to increase in 2022. Some project unit increases as high as 56% by November.

Saving money matters: Most school budgets are strained.

Knowing the condition of your facility's roof is taking one step toward possible savings. Looking into the benefits of cool roof technology is another. The Department of Energy lists the following ways a cool roof can benefit a building and its occupants: • Reduce energy bills by decreasing air conditioning needs • Help older, inefficient (or undersized) air conditioners provide enough cooling for today’s hotter summers • Make it possible to downsize new or replacement air conditioning equipment, saving money and increasing cooling efficiency • Improve indoor comfort and safety for spaces that are not air conditioned • Decrease roof temperature, which may extend roof service life Why not call today and ask for a free inspection by a certified roofing specialist educated in the newest energysaving technologies! There may be some cool savings in your school’s future!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Register Here!

The Arkansas Association of School Business Officials (AASBO) has scheduled six sessions of certification classes for July 6-7 at the Benton Events Center in Benton. Register here!

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C L ICK H ER E T O RE GI S T ER !

Benefits Corner Employee Benefits: The Only Guide You Need - Part Two Submitted by Kylie Freyaldenhoven, Sales Operations Analyst, Educational Benefits, Inc. Written by Kellie Wong Employee benefits every company should offer There are over 300 types of benefits that employers are offering their talent. Below are some of the benefits considered most important to engaging employees.

Employee recognition Having a culture of recognition is crucial to developing an engaged workforce. This benefit tops the list because of the high value that employee recognition brings to any organization. Employees who are regularly recognized feel more connected to the organization, reducing turnover rates and increasing productivity. The ideal way to experience the maximum benefits of employee recognition is based on two principles. One is that recognition should be an everyday event and not an occasional award. The second is that recognition should be given in real-time and in a variety of forms.

Recognition can include manager-to-employee, peer-to-peer, social, monetary, and any other form that has meaning to employees and the organization. A survey conducted by Clutch, a B2B research company, found that 47 percent of all employees value a community atmosphere in the workplace, with 55 percent of millennials feeling that way. Creating a culture of recognition is an ideal strategy for establishing and supporting your organization’s community atmosphere, even on a global scale. Recognition sends an organization-wide message that employees are not nameless, faceless people who are cogs in a revenue-producing machine. According to an Achievers report, 91 percent of employees “strongly” or “somewhat” agreed a strong recognition culture makes a company attractive to work for.

With the right employee recognition platform, organizations can easily recognize an employee’s individual accomplishments, team performance, innovative ideas, collaborative skills, birthdays, anniversaries, and any other event deserving of a celebration. You may develop awards for 11

safety, performance, wellness, and departmental success, or perhaps you have an “Employee of the Month” or “President’s Club” award. That’s what recognition really is all about: Celebrating personal and work achievements and success.

Employee rewards The days of giving employees an annual ham and a handshake are long gone. Just like recognition has meaning, so should rewards. Benefits management company Alight’s survey found that employees who believe the rewards meet their needs are seven times more likely to be engaged at work compared to employees who don’t feel that way about their rewards.

The most effective reward system lets employees choose their reward. For example, employees can earn points for great work and then redeem those points for a reward of their choosing. The rewards offered can include anything from gift cards, travel savings, charitable contributions, the latest tech item, and trendy fashion apparel. Some organizations develop a unique reward system to include rewards like a day off to perform charity work or to attend a child’s out-of-town athletic event.

Wellness programs More organizations are offering wellness programs according to the annual SHRM survey. From 2017 to 2018, 44 percent of organizations increased their wellness benefits and 75 percent of employers offered a general wellness program, wellness resources and/or wellness information. Wellness program features include things like management of chronic health conditions, fitness challenges, health monitoring programs, yoga classes for stress reduction, and nutrition workshops or healthy food choices in workplace cafeterias and vending machines. When you see small groups of people walking every day during lunch hour, they are likely participating in a wellness program.

Job Site Subscription Service 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 Marty Smith, Member Relations Manager, at m.smith@theaaea.org or at 501-372-1691.

Openings District Name Bald Knob Public Schools Pulaski County Special School District Pulaski County Special School District Pulaski County Special School District Cossatot River School District Jacksonville North Pulaski School District Batesville School District Little Rock School District Rogers Public Schools Siloam Springs School District Marion School District ResponsiveED Decatur School District Fort Smith Public Schools Siloam Springs School District Rogers Public Schools Little Rock School District Rogers Public Schools Forrest City School District Pulaski County Special District Brinkley School District Brinkley School District McCrory School District Blytheville Public Schools Rogers Public Schools Huntsville School District Ashdown School District

Position Community Engagement Coordinator – Save the Children School Test Coordinator Director of Human Resources Deputy Superintendent for Learning Services Pre-K/Director Elementary Principal (Emergency Posting) Preschool Director Assistant Principal Forest Heights STEM Academy – Middle School Student Success Coordinator Assistant Principal – Southside Elementary Assistant Principal at Marion High School Finance Manager – Little Rock Home Office Middle School Principal Supervisor of Special Programs Principal – Southside Elementary (Grades 3-4) Assistant Principal – Heritage High School STEAM Magnet Coordinator – Carver STEAM Magnet Elementary Crossroads Alternative Secondary Principal Deputy Superintendent Associate Director of Special Education High School Principal Elementary Principal Federal Program/Curriculum Coordinator Operations-Manager for Maintenance & Safety Secondary Virtual School Principal Assistant Principal – Huntsville High School High School Assistant Principal 12

Publication Sneak Peek: 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 2022 issue.

Did You Know?

Legislative Happenings The Joint Education Committee met June 6-7. Presentations were made on assessment, PLCs, student achievement, accountability, and the Succeed Scholarship. Click here to find the committee meetings, presentations, and videos. There will not be a Joint Education Committee meeting in July but will resume in August. Governor Hutchinson issued an Executive Order to reconvene the School Safety Commission to review past recommendations and potentially develop new ones. There is also a discussion of a special session to address tax cuts, school safety, and teacher salaries. Stay Tuned!

Department of Finance and Administration Revenue Report for May 2022.

Arkansas' state general revenue collections in May dropped by $177.4 million compared to the same month a year ago to $645.4 million but exceeded the state's latest forecast by $6.6 million. On May 18, DF&A increased its general revenue forecast for the current fiscal year that ends June 30 to a surplus of $1.47 billion and projected a $914 million surplus in the fiscal year that begins July 1 and ends June 30, 2023.

Governor Hutchinson has said inflation, including the high cost of fuel, has hurt Arkansans and some form of tax relief is necessary to return a portion of the surplus to taxpayers. A special session to address this and other issues, such as broadband access, school facility funding, and school safety, is anticipated sometime this summer. Click here to see the full report.

Attorney General Opinions In Attorney General Opinion 2022-014 the AG opined that a letter from a school board to the superintendent stating the board has voted to recommend termination is not subject to FOIA if there has been no final administrative resolution of the board’s termination recommendation. The full text of 2022-014 can be found here.

Assessment and Millage Reports The Division of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE), Fiscal & Administrative Service Division has submitted the Statewide Assessment Report for taxes payable in 2022. The report is posted on the DESE website here. The assessment data is submitted by each county official on or before March 15 each year in compliance with A.C.A. §6-20-2202(g)(1). This report will be used in the state foundation funding calculation for 2022-2023.

The Division of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE) has completed the 2021 Millage Report. The millage report is available on the DESE website here. The report provides calendar year 2021 voted millage rates for taxes collectible in calendar year 2022 and includes millage rollbacks. The county clerk of the county in which the school district is administered provides the DESE a certified copy of the election results along with a copy of the ballot. The Assessment Coordination Department is the source for rollback of millage rates. The data from the 2021 Millage Report will be used in the calculation of school funding for fiscal year 2022-2023.

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