The Administrator Newsletter - June 2022

VOLUME 47 • ISSUE 11 JUNE 2022

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A PROMISING SUMMER

THANK YOU

Dr. Hernandez welcomes summer with a reminder of what’s to come.

Dr. Stephanie Nehus signs off as AAEA President with some thank you’s.

Executive Viewpoint

Page 3

President’s Perspective

Executive Viewpoint • P. 3

Page 5

President’s Perspective • P. 5 Over the Top • P. 6 Administrator Spotlight • P. 7 Asked and Answered • P. 9 Compliance Connection • P. 10

ADMINISTRATOR SPOTLIGHT: JOHN DAVID KEELING In the Spotlight this month is John David Keeling, Principal at Dardanelle Middle School.

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CoSN Update • P. 10 Awards • P. 11 Benefits Corner • P. 13 Publication Sneak Peek • P. 14 Job Openings • P. 15

AAEA Staff

2022 Calendar of Events

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

June

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

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

Robyn Keene Director of Financial Services r.keene@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

AAEA School Law Conference June 1, 2022, Hot Springs Junior Academy, Hot Springs AASEA Summer Conference June 6-7, 2022, DoubleTree Little Rock

July CASBO 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

October ASPMA Conference October 3-5, 2022, Hot Springs Convention Center

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

Melanie Thrasher Business Analyst m.thrasher@theaaea.org

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

2021-2022 AAEA Board of Directors Dr. Karla Neathery AAEA Board Secretary/ Treasurer Superintendent, Arkadelphia

Debbie Atkinson AAEA Past President Principal, Bergman

Dr. Andrea Martin AASA Secretary Superintendent, Greenland

Mark Lewis AAESP President Principal, Conway

Stacy DeFoor AAESP Past President Principal, Conway

Scott Smith AASSP President Principal, Western Yell County

Matt Ziegler AASSP President-Elect Principal, Riverside

David Maxwell AASSP Past President Principal, Mena

Brandie Williams ArkASPA President Superintendent, Trumann

Dr. Lee Smith AACTEA President Superintendent, Mena

Susan Gilley AAFC President Executive Dir Fed Prog & Instructional Tech, Harrison

Kevin Luck AASBO President Business Manager, Vilonia

Charles Warren AASBO Past President Chief Financial Officer, Fort Smith

Carla Curtis AASEA President Director of Special Services, Fayetteville

Kim Fowler AACIA President Assistant Director/ Teacher Center Coordinator, Ozark Unlimited Resource ESC

Eric Hipp AAMLA President Principal, Bentonville

Aliza Jones ASPMA President Facilities Consortium Coordinator, Lavaca

Dr. Mike Hernandez AAEA Executive Director

Dr. Stephanie Nehus AAEA President Superintendent, Hot Springs

Brian Kirkendoll AAEA President-Elect Principal, Alma

Jon Collins AASA President Superintendent, West Memphis

Skipper Ward AASA President-Elect Superintendent, Magnolia

Carol Skiba AAESP President-Elect Principal, Cabot

Monica Springfield AAGEA President Ozark Unlimited Resource ESC

2021-2022 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 Online and Blended Learning Pro Benefits Group, Inc. ProtectEd Renaissance Learning, Inc. Solution Tree, Inc.

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

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 Entegrity Energy Partners, LLC Legacy Construction Management Lexia Learning Nabholz Construction Corp.

Gold Cynergy Rehab Group FIS 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

A Promising Summer The 2021-2022 school year in Arkansas has ended for most districts. A former colleague used to say that schools are a wonderful place to work in the summer. I agreed with that because it was a time to reflect and plan for the following year. We have not had much summer in the past couple of years, but this one looks promising. You need to make sure that you get a chance to unplug and get away from the office. I am getting the opportunity to go with the Hot Springs Beta Club to Nashville, TN, for the National Convention. Hanging out with thousands of students from across the country may not sound like a getaway, but watching them compete in all types of events is fun. While I am there, my oldest daughter wants to go to the Def Leppard/Motley Crue Stadium Tour. You see there - great music never gets old. I hope I survive the heat! The work will be there when you get back, so please get some rest when you can.

Special Session Even though we will take some time to relax, we need to be mindful of the discussion of a special session this summer. Several things are being discussed that could potentially make the call. The biggest driver for having a special session is the record level surplus for this fiscal year. It is currently projected to be $1.47 billion this year, ending June 30, 2022, and $914 million for the year ending June 30, 2023. Accelerating the implementations of tax cuts that were recently passed, support for small businesses and farmers, and a few other items are being discussed.

Based on the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, these high growth rates in the economy will return to a more normal rate in the future. The question remains how quickly we might see an about face on revenues in our state. Usually, when you see an increase in revenue of a temporary nature in school districts, you look for one-time expenditure and avoid long-term debt obligations. Tax cuts are significant for everyone, but with the volatile nature of all things financial in our country, I hope our leaders will be thoughtful in any decisions. Districts have several needs that have come up during the pandemic.

One glaring item is the increased cost of construction. All parties agree that the current square footage costs have drastically outpaced projections for districts that have partnership or self-funded projects. I know the state is looking at the data, and AAEA has worked with districts to gather the information that will lead to some financial support for districts facing a shortfall in their construction budgets. There are several other issues that members have voiced over the last several weeks concerning pre-k calendars, health insurance contributions, and classified salaries. If you have additional topics that may need to be considered, please let AAEA know. We hope to go into a special session with a solid plan and general agreement on doing what is best for everyone, including school districts.

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AAEA Summer Conference The summer conference is shaping up to be a great conference. We will start on July 25 with Dr. Joe Sanfelippo, the Superintendent of the Fall Creek School District in Fall Creek, WI. The Fall Creek School District was named an Innovative District in 2016 and 2017 by the International Center for Leadership in Education. Joe holds a BA in Elementary and Early Childhood Education, an MS in Educational Psychology, an MS in Educational Leadership, and a Ph.D. in Leadership, Learning, and Service. Joe co-authored The Power of Branding: Telling Your School’s Story, Principal Professional Development: Leading Learning in a Digital Age, and Hacking Leadership: 10 Ways Great Leaders Inspire Learning That Teachers, Students, and Parents Love. On Tuesday morning, we will have Ben Springer, an award-winning and Nationally Certified School Psychologist. Ben received his master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Utah in Educational Psychology. Ben has worked professionally as a teacher, autism specialist, school psychologist, and director of special education.

Currently, Ben works as the director of the Family Education Center in Wasatch County School District.

Ben has just released a new book called GPS: Good Parenting Strategies: The No-Guilt Survival Guide for Parents During the Pandemic and Beyond from Corwin Press. He is also the author of the popular book, Happy Kids Don’t Punch You in the Face. I hope you will enjoy hearing from these great presenters and take back information that will help you in your daily work.

The conference will also have numerous breakout sessions that the AAEA constituent groups have selected and several by our corporate sponsors. These are meant to give you timely information as you start the school year. Registration for the conference is quickly filling up, so please register soon! You can click here to register.

Adequacy Committee The Adequacy Committee continues to meet this month as the November report deadline approaches.

They have reviewed statewide revenues and expenditures and a few specific topics such as teacher salary, special education, facilities, ELL, ALE, etc. They are reviewing each area in the matrix and will eventually determine the funding needed to “adequately” fund our public schools. The items that are not discussed in the pending special session may get addressed in the adequacy process. Please stay engaged in the adequacy study and ask questions. Sometimes, local administrators can clear misconceptions about data legislators are seeing from BLR. Thank you for your year of hard work. I heard several say that 2021-2022 would be the most challenging year of the pandemic, with the removal of some flexibility and not knowing the future of the covid, masks, and vaccines. We have made it through like we always do…together! We are proud to serve you. Have a great summer!

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President’s Perspective Dr. Stephanie Nehus, AAEA Board President

Thank You Thank you for the amazing opportunity to serve AAEA as President this year. There are so many thank you’s to be spread around… ★ For your dedication to your districts, schools, staff, students, families, and community ★

For always being innovative to prepare students to meet the challenges of our future that we do not even know exist at this point in time

★ For giving tirelessly to ensure students have all they need to be the best version of themselves ★ For empowering staff and students ★ For remaining positive, even during a pandemic and the unknown ★ For being lifelong learners and role models for staff and students ★ For advocating and always putting our students first ★ For being collaborative colleagues, willing to share best practices The list could go on and on. Congratulations on making it to the end of the 2021-2022 school year.

I encourage you all to be intentional on your professional development and growth opportunities over the next few months. The most valuable aspect of your membership in AAEA is the ability to network with one another at the high quality PD offerings. The AAEA Board is constantly requesting feedback to ensure we are providing everything you need to be your best. Please reach out to me or any board member at any time with ideas, questions, or concerns.

Don’t forget to take some time for yourself this summer, too. We must be refreshed to continue leading at high levels. As I sign off from the President’s Perspective articles, I turn the reins over to Mr. Brian Kirkendoll. Again, thank you for all you do for your districts, schools, communities, and our state! Education is the key to success and we have the awesome responsibility of leading this charge.

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Over the Top A Trust Issue: Superintendents and Contractors Submitted by Janelle Nightingale, Communications Manager, Coryell Roofing & Construction Dr. Richard Abernathy, retired Superintendent and current Arkansas Education Consultant for Coryell Roofing, was asked: What would stand in the way of administrators accepting the offer of a complimentary roof inspection? He replied that "a lot of it may be a trust issue--'free' and 'no obligation' inspection are new concepts for most superintendents."

Imagine this - a superintendent's new baseline of trust for campus roof inspections: • A no-cost inspection • Receive a report of the inspector's findings with no commitment • The inspection report is honest, transparent, and professionally documented • The contractor can competitively perform the work needed Not every contractor is dependable, and skepticism is understandable, but the above is feasible.

The first step is to identify a legitimate contractor. Here is a checklist to get started.

The contractor has an established business location.

They meet state licensure requirements (Check out Arkansas's Contractor's Licensing Board website!)

Request a list of completed projects by the contractor - and then call those places.

Inquire about the company's employees' certifications.

Certifications in roofing, like in education, indicate value placed on training. For example, Brandon Rakestraw, a Commercial Sales Manager for Coryell Roofing, is a HAAG Certified Commercial Roof Inspector; HAAG is a sought-after certification in the commercial roofing industry.

Nowadays, most reputable commercial roofing companies have an online presence. Superintendents can also check here to find employee certifications, testimonials from satisfied clients, pictures, and information about featured projects.

Dr. Abernathy said, "Superintendents have a million things to worry about." So, at Coryell Roofing, we encourage superintendents to take one worry off their plate by finding a roofing company they can trust--one interested in a lasting relationship, not a quick profit. Then, they can get that much-needed, no-cost, no-obligation inspection that puts both them and their roof in good hands!

U PC O MI NG E VEN T S

2022 AASEA Summer Conference June 6-7, 2022 Little Rock, AR

Registration is now open for the 2022 Arkansas Association of Special Education Administrators (AASEA) Summer Conference, held on June 6-7, 2022, at the DoubleTree hotel in Little Rock, AR. Register here!

CASBO Certification Classes July 6-7, 2022 Benton, AR & Virtual 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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Administrator Spotlight:

John David Keeling Middle School Principal, Dardanelle School District John David Keeling, Principal at Dardanelle Middle School, says that while education is his calling, he didn't realize it until his first day in the classroom. "I had grown up around the education system all of my life," he says, "but I had no desire to go into education." However, during his Sophomore year at Arkansas Tech University, he signed up to substitute for the Ola School District in order to earn some extra money. "My first day to sub I was assigned a 1st grade classroom. I will be honest I did not have a clue what I was in for. By 9:00am I was physically exhausted. I had not ever experienced my body being physically pulled in so many directions and or heard my name called so many times in an hour period. Around noon that day I realized that I was where I was supposed to be." He changed his major to education the very next day.

John David is now finishing his 26th year in education. After graduating from Arkansas Tech University, he says he had the privilege to go back to his home district in Ola to teach and coach. "While at the Ola School District I wore several hats which helped me grow as an educator," he states. "I was a classroom teacher for several years while also coaching several different sports. I completed my masters in educational leadership in 2005 through Harding University. My last several years at Ola I was the Dean of Students and helped write grants while also fulfilling my coaching responsibilities." In the Fall of 2008, he took an opportunity with the Dardanelle School District as the primary school assistant principal until the spring of 2012, when he became principal at the middle school where he remains today. During his career, he has served on the AAMLA Board as president as well as in other positions, served on the PLSB board through DESE, and was an Arkansas Safe Schools Leadership award recipient.

John David says his favorite part of the job is building relationships with students in order to have a positive impact on them, stating, "My ultimate goal is to make an impact that might change the course of the students' lives today and beyond as they grow." He says the biggest personal challenge in his job is that building relationships with students in general has become increasingly harder, despite a growing importance to foster those relationships. The other challenge comes from the fact that things are always changing. "You must stay attuned and tapped in to resources such as AAEA," he notes.

For those considering a similar career, John David advises learning that it is ok to sometimes say "No." He states, "There is NO way you can do everything that people ask you to do. You can wear yourself out quickly when you are trying to do everything by yourself. I believe you need to prioritize." He says the best advice he has received is, "Sometimes in situations you have to step back and realize that 'it is what it is' and then manage the situation the best that you can and move forward."

John David hopes co-workers would describe him as "a Christian, compassionate, honest, a hard worker, and someone who strives to do what is best for the students and staff." He hopes one day to serve as superintendent in his community, and says he will continue to strive to be a positive role model and a positive influence on young people. "I strongly believe that my calling is not to be perfect in front of these students, but to strive to be someone who cares and to be a stabilizing factor in their lives."

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!

Q&A ?

with

Being the father of Caleb and Connor

What do you enjoy doing during your time off?

Spending time with the family, hunting, fishing and hiking

What might other administrators be surprised to know about you?

I drove dirt track stock cars at a high level around the mid-south.

What is the most daring thing you’ve done?

Asking Carla to marry me was the most daring thing I have ever done. I definitely married up and I am blessed she said “I do” 26 ½ years ago.

What’s something that amazes you?

People who seem to have everything against them and the odds seem to be stacked against them and they dig in, work hard and make it!!!!!! Overcomers and real life success stories amaze me.

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

I would like to go to all SEC football stadiums and baseball stadiums to watch a game.

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

We own a farm but if I wasn’t in education I would love to be a full time cattle farmer.

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

I believe one of the most important benefits of the AAEA is the connections and networking opportunities that AAEA offers their members. AAEA is a leader and strong voice in the educational process in Arkansas.

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Asked & Answered Mike Mertens, AAEA Assistant Executive Director The question was regarding a new school district employee that previously worked for an in-state twoyear community college. Can the employee transfer unused sick leave from the community college to the school district? The answer is "yes," with certain restrictions. Arkansas law 6-17-1206 covers this situation.

The law also applies to education service cooperatives and state education agencies.

ACA 6-17-1206 (a) Whenever an employee of a school district, an education service cooperative, a state education agency, or a two-year college in this state shall leave the school district, education service cooperative, state education agency, or two-year college and accept employment in another school district in this state, education service cooperative, state education agency, or two-year college, the employee shall be granted credit by the new school district, education service cooperative, state education agency, or twoyear college for any unused sick leave accumulated by the employee while employed by the former school district but not to exceed a maximum of ninety (90) days. (b) (1) The accumulated and unused sick leave credit shall be granted to the employee upon furnishing proof in writing from the school district of former employment of the employee.

(2) Sick leave granted to an employee under subdivision (b)(1) of this section shall be depleted before the employee uses sick leave granted by the current school district.

(3) Upon the hiring of an employee and the verification of accumulated sick leave, sick leave that is transferred from the school district of former employment of the employee to the school district of current employment of the employee is eligible for payment upon retirement of the employee from the school district of current employment of the employee if the school district's policy provides for payment of sick leave. (c) The provisions of this section shall apply to employment with another school district, education service cooperative, state education agency, or two-year college on or after July 1, 1997.

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

Click here to take a tour of the AAEA App! Available on Google Play and the Apple App Store!

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Compliance Connection How Employers Can Increase HSA Participation Through Education Submitted by Ginger Huff, Arkansas State Manager, American Fidelity Assurance Co. High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) with Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) have become increasingly popular among employers of all sizes. Educating your employees on the benefits of HSAs is one of the most effective ways to increase HSA participation. It’s important your employees understand they’re only eligible to set up an HSA if they have an HDHP. If an employee is reluctant to choose an HDHP, learn how to help them make a smooth transition to an HDHP in our blog post, Tips for Transitioning to a High Deductible Health Plan.

Here are some key benefits of HSAs to share with your employees: • HSA funds can be spent tax-free on eligible medical expenses for them, their spouse and their dependents.

Even if the spouse isn’t covered on the employee’s HDHP, the spouse may be eligible to use the HSA for eligible medical expenses.

• HSA contributions and distributions can be made for dental and vision procedures. A common misconception is that because dental and vision costs do not go towards a medical plan’s deductible, they cannot be paid for with HSAs. • It is also possible to put money in an HSA from outside a paycheck contribution. For example, an HSA participant could take a couple thousand dollars out of their savings and move it to their HSA to pay for their child’s braces.

• HSAs can also be used to save for future expenses. If a participant knew their child was going to need braces

in five years, they could use their HSAs to start saving early for the future costs of braces.

Additionally, participants can also invest their funds upon reaching a minimum amount in their HSA. Host a Professional Development Day During a professional development day, employees can choose educational sessions and breakouts to learn about a variety of topics, similar to a conference. This will allow your employees to take a day to fully learn about not just their HSAs but other benefits too. Hosting this several times a year will ensure your employees are fully educated on how to use their HSAs. Offer a Variety of Education Options Mandatory meetings and multiple education opportunities ensure employees will receive the information they need to make an informed decision. Group or individual meetings, online resources, and individual Q&A sessions are all other great types of educational opportunities.

At American Fidelity, we provide the following opportunities throughout the year for our customers at no additional charge: • One-on-one meetings (virtual and in person) • Presentations to your committees and/or union leaders • Evening meetings so spouses can attend • Professional development classes https://americanfidelity.com/blog/reimburse/fsas-hrashsas/

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 State of EdTech Leadership 2022 Survey • The EmpowerED Superintendent edWebinar Series Leading for Digital Equity: Award Winning Community Engagement Strategies • CoSN Membership

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Awards AASSP Principal of the Year: Dr. Keri Rathbun

Dr. Keri Rathbun, Principal at Northside High School in the Fort Smith School District, was recently named the 2022 Arkansas Association of Secondary School Principals (AASSP) Principal of the Year.

AAFC Howard Wallace Federal Coordinator of the Year: Dr. Camille Sterrett

Dr. Camille Sterrett, Director of Special Programs for the Dumas School District, was recently named the 2022 Arkansas Association of Federal Coordinators (AAFC) Howard Wallace Federal Coordinator of the Year.

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Congratulations!

AACTEA Administrator of the Year: Roger Nicholson

Roger Nicholson, CTE Coordinator for Highland Public Schools, who was recently named the 2022 Arkansas Association of Career and Technical Administrators (AACTEA) Administrator of the Year.

Registration will open soon!

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

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Benefits Corner Employee Benefits: The Only Guide You Need Submitted by Kylie Freyaldenhoven, Sales Operations Analyst, Educational Benefits, Inc. Written by Kellie Wong The term “employee benefits” is used regularly, but often with a limited, traditional definition in mind. The traditional concept refers to legally mandated benefits plus a few voluntarily added by employers. With a new generation of employees, soon to become the majority of the workforce, and a competitive, global labor market, comes new workforce needs and expectations.

Employers are responding with a menu of voluntary employee benefits, driven by generational shifts and technology that is dramatically changing the workplace.

What are employee benefits? Employee benefits are non-salary compensation and perks. They consist of government mandated and voluntary indirect and noncash compensation.

Federal and state mandated benefits include health insurance, worker’s compensation, unemployment insurance, and required leave time for caring for family and/or personal medical purposes. Health insurance, and family and medical leave, are not required for all businesses. Some states have mandated disability insurance and retirement plan requirements.

What are benefits that are voluntary? These are benefits an employer voluntarily offers employees, and benefits programs are a top employee recruitment, retention, and engagement strategy. The list of benefits in this category began fairly simply with things like dental insurance and life insurance options. Today, the list of voluntary benefits has grown significantly to include things like reward programs, unlimited vacation time, and flexible work schedules. Bottom line is that voluntary benefits are any perk offered to employees that is not mandated by law.

Employee benefits have always been important, but today they have new implications. Employers use benefits to attract top talent, especially in a tight labor market, and to retain employees once hired. They enable smaller companies to compete with larger businesses that may be able to pay higher salaries. Benefits also act as employee engagement tools and support a positive corporate culture. One survey found that 35 percent of American workers would not accept a position if the corporate culture was not positive, even if the job was ideal.

Millennials have had an enormous impact on the types of benefits offered and with good reason. Pew Research Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data found that millennials already account for 35 percent of the U.S. labor force with 56 million people working or looking for employment. They will comprise 75 percent of the global workforce by the year 2025, an important fact to know in a globalized labor market.

The question that is frequently asked is, “What are employee benefits that have meaning for millennial employees?” Some involve money, but many don’t.

Numerous employee surveys and research projects, including by Gallup, have discovered millennials want meaningful work and benefits like always-on feedback.

Millennials also want opportunities to develop strengths and skills, pursue career growth, enjoy work-life balance, and work remotely. These needs and expectations drive the benefits companies are offering.

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

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Publication Sneak Peek: School Law Review This segment features content from other AAEA publications. School Law Review is a quarterly publication available to subscribing districts. The following excerpt comes from the June 2022 issue.

RECENT COURT DECISIONS CONCERNING EMPLOYEES Tabb v. Durham Pub. Schs., U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit (March 2, 2022)

Cloutier v. Ledyard Bd. of Educ., U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut (December 17, 2021)

A drama teacher claimed that the district discriminated against him on account of his race in violation of Title VII when it refused to hire additional staff to assist him or pay him for additional work he performed. The district argued that it had legitimate reasons for not hiring an assistant or paying the teacher for extra work based on allotments determined by the district’s board that dictated hiring decisions, and those allotments were based on student enrollment, not race.

Further, the teacher was not treated less favorably than other similarly situated white teachers since he received more supplemental pay than any other teacher and was not mandated to perform any extra work as part of his job.

A teacher filed suit alleging the district violated Title VII based on her being subjected to a hostile work environment based on gender stereotypes involving repeated verbal and physical sexual harassment for over a year. The teacher identified as a male heterosexual and claimed that he was being harassed by eleven coworkers and supervisors who “branded” him regarding his sexual preferences based on male sex stereotypes and being different from the dominant form of masculinity.

The circuit court affirmed the lower court's dismissal of the case, concluding that the teacher failed to show that the district’s legitimate reasons for its actions were in any way based on the teacher’s race.

The court declined to grant the district’s motion to dismiss the case, finding the teacher had presented significant evidence showing the harassment was severe and pervasive enough to warrant consideration by a jury.

Interested in more from School Law Review?

Contact our office at 501-372-1691.

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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 outof-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 Camden Fairview School District Nashville School District Valley View School District Valley View School District Russellville School District DeQueen School District Little Rock School District Dover School District West Memphis School District West Memphis School District McCrory School District Russellville School District Ouachita School District Forrest City School District Rogers School District Mansfield School District Beebe School District Mountain Pine School District Huntsville School District Dierks School District McCrory School District

Position Principal – Ivory Junior High Assistant Principal Elementary Dean of Students High School Assistant Principal High School Principal High School Principal Assistant Principal – High School/Athletic Director Assistant High School Principal Principal – Junior High District Treasurer LEA Supervisor RHS Assistant Principal Secondary Principal Building Principal Assistant Principal Middle School Principal Junior High School Assistant Principal Maintenance Supervisor Assistant Principal, Huntsville Middle & Intermediate School Superintendent Superintendent Continued on Next Page

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Job Site Subscription Service District Name Academics Plus Charter School Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators Alpena School District Arkansas Arts Academy England School District Dumas School District Gurdon School District Russellville School District Atkins School District Russellville School District Pea Ridge School District Blytheville Public Schools Harmony Grove–Benton School District Wynne School District Blytheville School District Lonoke School District Pea Ridge School District ResponsiveED Camden Fairview School District Warren School District Gurdon School District Melbourne School District West Fork School District Lonoke School District Atkins Public School Bryant Public Schools Centerpoint School District Visit Our Job Site For More

Position Middle Assistant Principal 4-7 Financial Services Coordinator Superintendent K-6 Elementary Assistant Principal High School Principal (7-12) Middle Level Assistant Principal Middle School Principal Executive Director of Leading & Learning for 5th – 12th Grades Assistant Maintenance Director Executive Director or Leading & Learning for PreK-4th Grades Principal – Middle School (5-6) High School – Assistant Principal District Technology Supervisor Intermediate School Principal Director of Finance Principal Assistant Principal Federal Programs Coordinator – Little Rock Assistant Middle School Principal Middle School Assistant Principal Maintenance Director High School Assistant Principal 7-12 Assistant Principal Principal Maintenance Director High School Assistant Principal Dean of Students/ALE Director https://arkansas.schoolspring.com/

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