2019 December/January Administrator Newsletter

The 


Administrator

December 2019/ January 2020 Volume 45, No. 5

Where Are We on the Road to an

Adequacy Study?

VIEWPOINT, PAGE 1 3

PERSPECTIVE

5

SPOTLIGHT

The

Voice

7

8

ASKED

A-MUSINGS

for School Administrators

AAEA Administrator is a monthly 29The publication of the Arkansas Association

ngs of Educational Administrators (AAEA) for members of the AAEA. Center 2020 Assistant Principals of the Year Awards

EDITORIAL Managing Editor: Amy Manning-McNabb Editor In Chief: Michelle Briggs Address: 219 South Victory Little Rock, AR 72201 Phone: 501.372.1691

p. 12

Web Site: www.theaaea.org Follow us on: Facebook: Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators

In this Issue

Twitter: @The_AAEA Instagram: @aaea_littlerock

Executive Viewpoint - Dr. Richard Abernathy

1

President’s Perspective - Scott Spainhour

3

Administrator Spotlight - Pam Dean

5

Benefits Corner

7

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

Asked and Answered

7

Michelle Briggs, Director of Events & Operations m.briggs@theaaea.org

“A-Musings”

8

Robyn Keene, School Finance Consultant r.keene@theaaea.org

2020 Assistant Principal of the Year Awards

9

AASBO Board President Honored

9

Professional Development Opportunities

12

Administrator Job Openings

14

Salary Survey

15

Please contact us if we may provide assistance to you in any way.

STAFF Dr. Richard Abernathy, Executive Director r.abernathy@theaaea.org

Marty Smith, Member Relations Manager m.smith@theaaea.org Karen Dean, Business Manager k.dean@theaaea.org Amy Manning-McNabb, Communications Manager a.mcnabb@theaaea.org Christy Dodds, Business Development Manager c.dodds@theaaea.org Madison Greene, Administrative Specialist m.greene@theaaea.org

2020 AACIA Conference p. 12 Your Association Staff Administrator December 2019/January 2020

2019-2020 AAEA CORPORATE SPONSORS PRESTIGIOUS American Fidelity Assurance Co. Educational Benefits, Inc. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Lifetouch National School Studios, Inc. Pro Benefits Group, Inc. Renaissance Learning, Inc. Scholastic Education

DISTINGUISHED Imagine Learning

DIAMOND AETN Apple Apptegy ClassWallet Classworks Edgenuity Energy Systems Group Entegrity Energy Partners, LLC ESS Excel Energy Group, Inc. First Security Beardsley Forecast5 Analytics PowerSchool Smart Data Dashboard Stephens, Inc. Winsor Learning

PLATINUM AAMSCO Baldwin & Shell Construction Caddell Construction Co. (DE), LLC C.R. Crawford Construction, LLC Legacy Construction Management Nabholz Northwest Evaluation Association - NWEA TRANE US, Inc. University of Arkansas: Department of Curriculum & Instruction

GOLD Cognia Crow Construction Generation Ready, Inc. Kinco Constructors, LLC Middleton, Inc. Red Comet

SILVER ACE Sports Architecture Plus, Inc. French Architects, PA Hight-Jackson Associates, PA SEAS Virco, Inc. Please consider doing business with AAEA Corporate Sponsors when appropriate for your school/district. Their support of the AAEA is vital for us to serve you in your work.

2019-2020 AAEA BOARD OF DIRECTORS Scott Spainhour AAEA President

Debbie Atkinson AAEA Secretary/Treasurer

Superintendent, Greenbrier

Principal, Bergman

Roger Ried AAEA President-Elect

Shawn Higginbotham AAEA Past President

Principal, Southside

Superintendent, Lake Hamilton

Benny Weston AASA President Superintendent, Mena

Pharis Smith AAESP President Jackson County

Robert Poole AASA President-Elect

Stacey DeFoor AAESP President-Elect

Superintendent, Prescott Jon Collins AASA Secretary

Principal, Conway Lori Griffin AAESP Past President

Superintendent, West Memphis Principal, Fort Smith Chad Jordan AASSP President

David Maxwell AASSP President-Elect

Assistant Principal, Green County Tech

Principal, Mena

Brad Ray, AASSP Past President

Barbara Garner ArkASPA President

Assistant Principal, Fort Smith

Assistant Superintendent, Crossett

Dr. Joe Rollins AACTEA President

Paul Jenkins AAFC President

Director of Workforce Development, NW AR ESC

District Test Coordinator & ASCIP Coordinator, Blytheville

Charles Warren AASBO President

Dr. Sherrie Bayles AASEA President

Chief Financial Officer, Fort Smith

Special Education Supervisor, Springdale

Aaron Randolph AAGEA President

Dr. Stephanie Nehus AACIA President

Director of Gifted Programs/ Federal Programs, Cabot

Superintendent, Hot Springs

Jeff Wasem AAMLA President

Bill Tietz ASPMA President

Principal, Bentonville

Assistant Superintendent Watson Chapel

Dr. Richard Abernathy Executive Director Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators

Administrator December 2019/January 2020

EXECUTIVE

Viewpoint Adequacy Study: Are We There Yet?

Dr. Richard Abernathy

AAEA Executive Director

We seem to be getting closer to having a study of educational issues approved by the legislature. Hopefully before the Christmas break the proposal will be approved, and we will have a fresh look at education adequacy in Arkansas. I have had several administrators ask me why there was such push back from some legislators for conducting a study.

Below are a few thoughts on why there is pushback.

Every legislator I have visited with h a s a g re e d t h a t t h e re a re concerns with school funding.

Concerns range from lack of funding to distribution of the current funding for schools.

However, everyone knows that funding of schools cannot just be an open check book. So, let’s look at some of our concerns • The increase in teacher salary and the minimum wage i n c re a s e w i l l p l a c e s o m e districts in a financial hardship.

This is recognized by our policy leaders and should be dealt

with before districts have to cut services to kids. Fortunately, the Governor placed $60M in this area to help districts with the teacher salary increase.

However, this funding stream sunsets in three years.

The minimum wage was increased by our voters in Arkansas; however, no additional funds w e re p ro v i d e d t o s c h o o l districts to meet this new requirement.

Some districts who struggle financially have been hit twice by these two new requirements.

• The Enhance Student Achievement (ESA) legislation will change the use of our poverty funds for students. The use of dollars has expanded over time with legislative intent to fund various programs they felt would be beneficial but no other source of revenue was available.

Example, school safety – This is very important to our students, parents and schools. However, no money was placed in the matrix Continued on next page

1

Administrator December 2019/January 2020

Executive Viewpoint, continued

funding model for this when it was established over 15 years ago.

So, policy makers allow districts to use ESA (formally NSL) funds to hire school resources officers.

This is just one example of many that we could use. The rules for ESA funds sunsets on June 2022.

It is very unclear about the future allowable expenditures of these dollars, but the legislature should come up with a solution in the 2021 legislative session.

It would be great if we had the latest available research to help guide legislators in this policy making process.

• There are things in the funding matrix that we know are wrong but politically we have not been able to change for a variety of reasons.

An example of this would be transportation. The original Picus Odden Associates Report said that transportation would be an area that should be pulled out of the per student funding and placed in another category. The legislative adequacy committee in 2009 recommended pulling part of the dollars out to set aside in a special category, but politically could not gather enough votes during the legislative session.

Then the legislators did create an enhanced transportation category and have slowly increased those dollars.

But, the problem still exists that some schools have to spend more money than the matrix allows for transportation, and other districts do not spend the money given to them per student for transportation. It isn’t rocket science. If I have to spend more for transportation than funded, then I have to pull those dollars from somewhere else… maybe teacher salaries? Again, this is just one example.

• There are many legislators who have expressed a concern about a new study and the potential increase in recommended funding. I certainly understand that line of thinking as some schools are not adequately funded now to take care of our students. Districts do not have the resources or capacity to deal with the significant increase in

mental health issues facing our kids and staff. I consistently hear from administrators about the mental health issues and behavioral issues they face every day even in our elementary schools.

We have to deal with this issue both from a policy perspective as well as a research perspective.

Legislators have also expressed a concern about what would happen if recommendations came back and they didn’t adopt all of them. Would not approving all the recommendations set the state up for a potential lawsuit? My response is that the state has never accepted all the researched based recommendations.

An example of this is the research has consistently recommended a 1:15 teacher student ratio in kindergarten. There are many other examples where research says what is needed for move student achievement for and policy makers have not adopted.

• Administrators have also expressed a concern about opening a new adequacy study and rightfully so. There may be some things that are currently funded that could be reduced.

An example would be digital learning. Does it really take as much money to fund a digital learning course compared to a course taught in a classroom?

There are other areas where administrators should be paying attention to if a study is actually conducted.

The bottom line is that we need a new study to determine what the research says about student achievement and the funding needed to meet those needs. Without an unbiased study, we will continue to have funding issues as well as needs of student not addressed. Without the research to back up the study then we are just all guessing at solutions. So, what is it going to be….a researchedbased study or continuing to guess at what magical program will save our kids? We should know in a few days.

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Administrator December 2019/January 2020

PRESIDENT’S

Perspective

Arkansas Districts and Schools Serving Their Communities All the Year

“Tis the season” for giving back, serving others, and spreading the Christmas spirit, but as we wrap up the holidays, let’s take time to remember the impact that districts across our great state are making by giving back to their communities all through the year. Whether it be for project based learning, community serving learning, or teaching social emotional competencies in real-life situations, our educators are facilitating experiences for Arkansas students to help them learn the true meaning and impact of “giving back.”

Scott Spainhour

AAEA Board President

Superintendent

Greenbrier School District

Prescott High School partnered with its school board and many community entities such as the Food Share Bank, Hillside Nursing Home, Nevada County Chamber of Commerce, and the Nevada County Extension Office as partners in supporting students who are seeking projects to improve the Prescott Community. PHS is striving to promote civic responsibilities and additional growth opportunities in social skills, behavioral skills, or both.

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Administrator December 2019/January 2020

President’s Perspective continued

Far north at Marshall Elementary School, kindergarten through fourth grade students in the Searcy County School

District, along with educators and community members, have established the Marshall School & Community Garden, which recently was recognized at the state capitol for the “Best Community Collaboration School Garden” by Farm Credit of Western Arkansas.

Cooking stir-fried broccoli, raising free-range chickens, and dissecting garden soil are all parts of a year in the life of a Marshall Elementary student through the garden. The nine raised garden beds and year-round high tunnel provide opportunities for student service-learning year-round. The garden was dreamed up by two teachers, but it has become a community-wide point of pride. Initial donations were sourced from a local lumber company, the nearby City of Leslie, home improvement stores, and several individuals. Parolees from the Searcy County Jail were recruited to build the garden beds, and this gave several of them a much-needed connection to their child’s school. Children even today tell proudly how their father helped to build this garden. A local women’s recovery ministry has also spent time caring for the garden in the summer.

MES’ after-school Garden Club is the single largest extracurricular activity on campus, with more than 50 students enrolled each semester. 8-10 families volunteer alongside school staff each season, and others stop by to see what is happening! During the summer, some of the produce is donated to local families in need via the Summer Meals Feeding Program at the Civic Center. Other produce is sold as a fundraiser at the local farmer’s market, which has long valued the contributions of our garden. Beginning this school year, we hired a permanent garden educator for growing & programming. She has collaborated with our county extension agent to host a 4-H summer day camp in the garden, at a time when students are otherwise away from campus. This has all led to our recent recognition as the AR Community Collaboration Garden of the Year for 2019!

Moving to Northwest Arkansas to take a look at Creekside Middle School, community spirit is literally “driven” by the school’s “Summer Book Bus,” a dream come true for local librarians. Dozens of the school and district faculty jumped in to make a summer bookmobile dream a reality. Six to ten teachers are volunteering each week throughout the summer to ensure their students have books in their hands during the long break. Donations of books are taken from the school community as yet another simple but specific way to help Creekside give back to Bentonville.

Hundreds if not thousands of more examples can be shared from every region of the state. Our educators are setting the standard for not only their students, but also their communities, as they model serving others.

I encourage you to find and share these stories of service in your own schools and districts.

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Administrator December 2019/January 2020

SP

T

Light

O

n the court is where Pam Dean realized that she wanted to go into a profession where she could directly affect the lives of people. At first, healthcare seemed a good option.

“I wanted to go into the medical field until I realized the people who made the biggest impact on my life,” she said. “The people who impacted me the most, other than my mother, were my basketball, volleyball, and softball coaches growing up in Marion and West Memphis, AR. I wanted to do the same for others, especially those who came form single parent homes.”

“Take it one day at a time.

It’s about the journey not the destination.”

Pam Dean, principal at Park Avenue Elementary in the Stuttgart School District, says it was the love of the game that led her to a career in education.

In 2001, she became a physical education and health teacher and a girls’ basketball and softball in the Stuttgart School District.

“Other administrators might be surprised that I used to be a softball and basketball coach,” Pam states.

In 2009, she became the assistant principal at Park Avenue Elementary and then took on the mantle of principal in 2013.

Throughout her career, she has completed three years of Master Principal training with the Arkansas Leadership Academy, served as the Zone Director for the Arkansas Association of Elementary School Principals (AAESP), and was a Cohort 3 Professional Learning Communities grant recipient.

“I want to complete the Cohort 3 of the PLC grant, earn a master principal designation, and continue to impact education at Park Avenue Elementary,” Pam said.

Going into a career in education can be exciting but daunting.

“Take it one day at a time. It's about the journey not the destination,” she advises. “This is my sixth year as a principal, and I am just beginning to feel like we are doing the right work through our partnership with Solution Tree.”

Pam looks forward to her legacy as a principal and a mother and hopes to leave good memories in her wake. “ I want to be remembered how I loved my family and that I made an impact on education at Park Elementary and truly cared about our students and staff.”

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Administrator December 2019/January 2020

Continued on next page

Q A &

What is your favorite thing about your job?

With

Pam Dean

“Seeing the impact we have with our students. ”

What major changes have you seen in education during your career?

All of the different mandates (school health index, body mass index screening, school report cards, school improvement plans) and student mental health What is the best advice you have ever received?

Don’t worry about being right, just be consistent. Matt DeVan, Solution Tree PLC coach.

What is the most daring thing you’ve done?

I’m not a big fan of heights, so I would say riding in my brother’s-in-law airplane or riding the Mummy Ride at Universal Studios in Orlando.

What’s something that amazes you?

How time flies…. Days are long but the years are short.

What have you done that you are most proud of?

Family, especially my two daughters Paige Dean, 13 years old, 8th grade student at Stuttgart Junior High School; Ali Dean, 9 years old, 3rd grade student at Park Avenue Elementary; and Russ Dean, husband. He is a farmer and an awesome father to our two girls.

What do you enjoy doing during your time off?

Spending time with my family, traveling, and junking (redoing something old) What is one of the things on your “Bucket List?”

Become a PLC model school, become a designated principal with the Arkansas Leadership Academy, and retire well so I can travel all over the United States If you weren’t in your current position, what would you be doing?

Coaching girls’ basketball Where do you see yourself in five years?

Continuing to work in the Professional Learning Communities and completing the Master Principal Designation 6

Administrator December 2019/January 2020

CORNER

B E N E F I T S

Asked

&

Pre-Tax vs. Post Tax Deductions: What’s the Difference?

Many of you may have heard your employer’s payroll department or someone mention pre and post-tax benefits. You may have even seen this on your paycheck but do you really understand the difference between the two?

Let’s discuss the basics.

Pre-tax deductions are withheld from

your wages before they are taxed. Pretty simple, right? By reducing the taxable amount of your wages, you net more of your paycheck.

On the other hand, post-tax deductions are withheld after your wages are taxed.

Post-tax deductions, therefore, have no positive effect on your taxable income.

Pre-tax deductions: Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Some Voluntary Benefits (Cancer, Accident, Hospital), Life Insurance (up to $50k in Arkansas) Post-tax deductions: Disability Insurance, Life Insurance, Critical Illness Coverage, Garnishments, Dues, Christmas and other employer specific funds Drawbacks to pre-tax deductions? In some cases, an employee, who nets more of their paycheck because of pre-taxed deductions, could owe taxes on the withheld money in the future. For example, if you were to pre-tax $50k of your life insurance, your beneficiary would have to pay taxes on the $50k death benefit. That being said, you may consider post-taxing the permanent life insurance deduction, if you want your beneficiary to receive the full amount of death benefit.

If you have questions about your deduction options, please reach out to your payroll department or Benefit Consultant.

Column Provided by:

Shane Pennington,

Regional Sales Executive,

Educational Benefits, Inc.

7

Administrator December 2019/January 2020

Answered

Mike Mertens, AAEA Assistant Executive Director

A common question this time of the year deals with staff bonuses. This is a perfect example of needing to know the regulations before implementing a transaction that, on the surface, appears to be fairly straightforward. 6-20-412 is the section of the law that deals with bonuses, otherwise known as "nonrecurring salary payments." (a) A school district in this state may pay licensed personnel a nonrecurring salary payment from revenues not considered to be recurring sources of revenue. (b) A nonrecurring salary payment under this section shall not increase the base salary of the recipient for purposes of calculation of future salary requirements. (c) A nonrecurring salary payment under the provisions of this section shall be divided equally among licensed personnel employed by the school district at the time approved by the board of directors of the school district unless the board of directors and a majority of the licensed personnel agree to a different distribution. (d) A payment to a targeted educator made in the form of a supplement as an addendum to a contract in fulfilling this section, and § 6-5-307(a) shall not be considered a nonrecurring salary payment under this section.

In addition, it is important to know that "equally" means an equal dollar amount, not an equal percentage, not prorated based on the days contracted or worked, and not prorated based on full-time or part-time status. Lastly, these regulations apply to certified staff. Bonuses for classified employees are at the discretion of the district.

If you have questions for Mike, email them to a.mcnabb@theaaea.org.

A-MUSINGS:

The One to Read When You Need Encouragement

Contributor: Jeff Wasem, Principal Creekside Middle School Bentonville School District If you have an amusing, insightful, or unusual story about your experience as an educator or administrator that you’d like to share for our “A-Musings” column, email Amy Manning-McNabb, Communications Manager, at a.mcnabb@theaaea.org.

G

eneration Changers,

One of the best parts of leadership is being able to see the entire landscape of the school. One of the most challenging parts of leadership is being able to see the entire landscape of the school. My heart is heavy right now for many of you who are going through some very tough circumstances with family - maybe there is a financial need that cannot be filled, or a new diagnosis was given to you or someone you love, or you are just battling things from your past you just cannot seem to ever shake completely.

When you layer these things with the needs of our amazing students, it makes for an energy tank that can empty quickly. There is not as much time for rest as you desire - the next appointment, the next practice, the next phone call. It can all become a lot to balance.

Why do these things present in our lives? Honestly, my faith tells me it is because every situation, good or bad, is to glorify a Greater Good. You may not believe what I believe, and I would never pressure anyone into that - those are personal decisions for you to make. I do believe, regardless of your faith, that how we respond to these circumstances, makes us who we are. We can control, somewhat, the response. I am not saying it is simple. It's not.

Over the course of the past 2 years, we, as a school and a district, have invested a lot of resources into the social and emotional support of our kiddos. I paused this morning while I was reading and asked - does our staff feel that same social and emotional support? They are the ones who are leading these students in the classroom.

This is not a pitch for an extra program, an invitation to another meeting, or any type of to do list check off. Actually, I believe it is much more important. It is awareness. How is your balance? You may be in a season that is asking a lot of you. You may be battling one of the examples presented above. Or, you may be awesome - loving life - living the dream. How would you define your season today?

Wherever you believe you are I want you to know that you are loved, you matter, each day does mean something, you have support here, and your colleagues want you to reach out if you need us.

NEW WEBSITE. NEW APP. STILL THE

Voice

FOR SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS.

Click here to take a tour of the AAEA App! 8

Administrator December 2019/January 2020

Congratulations 2020 Assistant Principals of the Year!

Cited as a staunch advocate for both teachers and students, Jimmy C. King, Assistant Principal at L.M. Goza Middle School in Arkadelphia, has been named the 2020 Arkansas Association of Middle Level Administrators (AAMLA) I n re c o g n i t i o n o f t h e important role of middle level school principals, the a w a r d i s g i v e n t o a secondary school assistant principal who exemplifies quality leadership according to their colleagues and/or people throughout their community.

Dr. Richard Abernathy (left), AAEA Executive Director, presented Jimmy King (right) with the AAMLA 2020 Assistant Principal of the Year at Goza Middle School on November 19.

"Mr. King excels in school leadership by relating effectively to students, faculty, parents, and fellow administrators," said Cheryl Merk, principal, L.M. Goza Middle School.

King, who has served as assistant principal at the middle school since 2000, admits he has high expectations for not only students but their parents as well. "To help ensure that all students can succeed and achieve at high levels, as school leaders, we need to make all policy and decisions based on the belief that every child can and will achieve at high levels," he said.

King is also a member of the Arkansas Safe Schools Association (ASSA) and was awarded their Administrator of the Year Award in 2016.

King will now be nominated for the the 2020 National Outstanding Assistant Principal of the Year Award by the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP). NAESP will share the winning assistant principal's best practices with other principals in the nation.

Praised for his c o m m i t m e n t t o t h e individual success of all students, school safety, a n d l i t e r a c y, D o n Eichenberger, assistant principal at Springdale High School in the Springdale School District, has been honored with the Arkansas Association of Secondary School Principals (AASSP) 2020 Assistant Principal of the Year Award.

(Left t.o right) Dr. Richard Abernathy, A A E A E x e c u t i v e D i r e c t o r, D o n Eicheberger, and Dr. Jim Rollins, Superintendent, Springdale School District. Dr. Aber nathy presented Eichenberger with the AASSP award on November 20

The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) National Assistant Principal of the Year program annually recognizes outstanding middle level and high school assistant principals who have succeeded in providing high quality learning opportunities for students. From state winners, three finalists are named as contenders for the National Assistant Principal of the Year award.

"I stress to my staff, my teachers, and my students that the most important thing we have to offer students is the ability to read and the ability to think and reason at a high level," Eichenberger said. He has served in the Springdale School District for 29 years.

Eichenberger is committed to school safety. "I work directly with the FBI and Department of Homeland Security Northwest Arkansas Gang Task Force to help fight the negative and destructive effects of gang and gang-related activities that affect my students,” he said.

Currently, Eichenberger serves as supervisor on Homeless Families in Transition, a community-based program.”Mr. Eichenberger also serves as our homeless liaison, continually striving to meet students' basic needs as well as socialemotional needs,” said a colleague.

AASBO Board President Honored with International School Business Official Award The Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) is pleased to announce that Charles West Warren, SFO, Chief Financial Officer, Fort Smith School District, Fort Smith, AR, has earned the Certified Administrator of School Finance and Operations® (SFO®).

Charles Warren, CFO Fort Smith School District

School business professionals who earn the SFO certification have proven that they have the required knowledge, expertise, and fiscal credibility to lead

9 Administrator December 2019/January 2020

their school district and effectively manage the district’s finances.

The SFO designation is granted to highly qualified school business professionals who fulfill multiple requirements, including demonstrating certification eligibility (through work experience and education); passing a comprehensive two-part exam that tests competency in accounting and school business management topics; and adhering to the ASBO International Certification Code of Conduct.

Professional Development

2020 C A L E N D A R 1/2020 Superintendent Symposium — January 15-16, 2020, DoubleTree Hotel, Little Rock

07/2020

CASBO Classes — July 7-8, 2020, AETN, Conway

08/2020

AACIA Conference — January, 29, 2020, Hot Springs Convention Conference Assistant Principal's Conference — January 30, 2020, University of Central Arkansas, Conway

AAEA Summer Conference — August 3-5, 2020, Marriott Hotel and Statehouse Convention Center, Little Rock

02/2020 ArkASPA Conference — February 18, 2020, Wyndham Riverfront, North Little Rock

03/2020 AASBO Conference — March 3-5, 2020, Hot Springs Convention Center

04/2020

09/2020 ArkASPA HR Bootcamp — September 8, 2020, Wyndham Riverfront, North Little Rock AAFC Fall Conference — September 23-25, 2020, Hot Springs Convention Center

10/2020

ASPMA Classes — April 2, 2020, AETN. Conway

ASPMA Conference & Certification Classes — October 5-7, 2020, Hot Springs Convention Center

CASBO Classes — April 16-17, 2020, Crowne Plaza, Little Rock

AAGEA Conference — October 22-23, 2020, Benton Event Center

05/2020 AAFC Spring Conference — May 6-8, 2020 Hot Springs Convention Center

AAEA Fall Conference — October 29, 2020, DoubleTree Hotel, Little Rock.

06/2020

Bill Daggett Cohort Conference — June 1, 2020, DoubleTree Hotel, Little Rock

To see a schedule of more AAEA events, go to theaaea.org and click on “Calendar.”

School Law Conference — June 2, 2020, DoubleTree Hotel, Little Rock AASEA Special Education Conference — June 8-9, 2020, Holiday Inn Airport, Little Rock 10

Administrator December 2019/January 2020

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

AGENDA WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15 8:15 – 11:15

High Reliability Schools – Dr. Cameron Rains, Marzano Resources NOTE: This pre-conference session is designed for first year Superintendents & Mentors, but is open to anyone attending the Symposium, based on space availability.

11:45

Opening Lunch Session Welcome, Introductions, Recognitions

12:30 – 1:30

I’m Strong If You’re Strong: Leadership by Developing the Gifts of Your People and Shaping a Winning Culture – Dr. Kevin Elko, Keynote Speaker

1:30

Break

1:45 – 2:45

DESE Update – Secretary Johnny Key

2:45

Break

3:00 – 4:00

Dark Store Theory & Other Key Topics – Panel of Superintendents & Attorneys

4:00

Adjourn

THURSDAY, JANUARY 16 7:45

Breakfast Session Welcome, Introductions

8:15 – 9:15

AASA National Level Issues – Chris Rogers, AASA Policy Analyst

9:15 – 9:30

Break

9:30 — 10:30

Adequacy Committee Update from Legislators

10:30 — 10:45

Break

10:45 – 11:15

Governor Asa Hutchinson

11:15

Closing Remarks / Adjourn

Dr. Kevin Elko, Keynote Speaker Presentation: I’m Strong If You're Strong: Leadership

By Developing The Gifts of Your People and Shaping A Winning Culture Dr. Elko received his Bachelors in Biology Education and Coaching from California University of Pennsylvania. He then went on to West Virginia University where he received two Masters and a Doctorate and was later inducted into West Virginia University Hall of Fame.

He went on to intern at the United States Olympic Committee in Colorado Springs. In Sports, he has consulted with various successful NFL teams. In college sports, Dr. Elko has worked with seven BCS National Championship Football Teams.

In the business world, Dr. Elko focuses on helping organizations in the areas of Leadership, Goal Setting, and various other motivational topics. His corporate clients have included ING, Tyson Foods, Abbott Labs, LPL Financial, The Hartford, Genworth, Jackson National Life, Pioneer Investments, Morgan Stanley, Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, and Sun Life.

Dr. Elko is the author of four books, Nerves of Steel, The Pep Talk, True Greatness: Mastering the Inner Game of Business Success and Touchdown: Achieving Your Greatness on the Playing Field of Business and Life.

11 Administrator December 2019/January 2020

THOMAS R. GUSKEY, P.h.D. KEYNOTE SPEAKER Dr. Thomas Guskey is a Senior Research Scholar in the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Louisville and Professor Emeritus in the College of Education at the University of Kentucky. A graduate of the University of Chicago, he began his career in education as a middle school teacher, served as an administrator in the Chicago Public Schools, and was the first director of the Center for the Improvement of Teaching and Learning, a national research center.

His articles have appeared in prominent research journals including the American Educational Research Journal, Educational Researcher, and Review of Educational Research, as well as practitioner publications such as Education Week, Educational Leadership, Phi Delta Kappan, and The Learning Professional, and School Administrator.

In recognition of his contributions, Dr. Guskey was named a Fellow in the American Educational Research Association, the Association’s highest honor.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER AND TO READ LODGING INFORMATION.

AGENDA 8:00 - 8:45 Registration 8:45 - 9:00

Welcome & AACIA General Business Meeting

9:00 - 3:00

Effective Strategies for Grading and Reporting Student Learning Dr. Thomas R. Guskey, Keynote Speaker

Registration: $155 person. $10 per person discount for groups of 5 or more from the same school/district.

NOTE: You must enter the code "AACIA2020" in the promo code field during the billing portion of the registration process to receive the discount.

Onsite Registration Fee: $205, no group discount allowed during onsite registration.

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Administrator December 2019/January 2020

Agenda:

• • • • • • • • • •

8:30 - 9:00 Registration

9:00 – 9:15 Welcome

9:15 - 10:00 Opening Session: Behavior Management in Tier 1 and Tier Team Roles - Rocci Malone & Dr. Michael D. Watson

10:00 - 10:15 Break

10:15 - 11:30 Behavior Management, continued

11:00 - 1:00 Lunch on Your Own

1:00 - 2:00 Breakout Session 1: Opioid Addiction - Attorney General Leslie Rutledge

2:00 - 2:15 Break

2:15 – 3:00 Breakout Session 2 - Dayna Lewis

3:00 - 3:30 Issues Relevant for Building Administrators - Principal Panel

Registration Fees Online Registration: $100 AAEA Member/$120 Non-Member

Onsite Registration: $125 AAEA Member/$145 Non-Member

Deadline for Registration: January 24, 2020

Lodging: Hilton Garden Inn

805 Amity Road

Conway, AR 72032

Please call (501) 329-1444 to make your reservation.

Please mention Assistant Principal's Conference.

$104 Single/Double

Deadline for Reservation: January 8, 2020

Contact: Marty Smith

AAEA Member Relations Manager

ml.smith@theaaea.org

13

Administrator December 2019/January 2020

Click here to register!

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.

Tools to Help You Hire the

Best

Over 165 school districts are participating in the program in 2019, which has been extremely helpful to schools and educators over the years. The site is used yearround 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. Subscription renewals will be sent to superintendents this fall regarding 2020 renewal.

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

Position

Link

Atkins School District

Assistant Technology Coordinator

More Information

Bay School District

Superintendent

More Information

Dawson Education Service Cooperative

HIPPY Coordinator

More Information

Harrisburg School District

Superintendent

More Information

Heber Springs School District

Superintendent

More Information

Jasper School District

Superintendent

More Information

Jonesboro School District

Special Education Director

More Information

Midland School District

Superintendent

More Information

Mineral Springs School District

Interim Superintendent

More Information

North Little Rock School District

Elementary Principal

More Information

North Little Rock School District

More Information

Pine Bluff School District

Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Director of Legal Affairs

Riverview School District

Superintendent

More Information

Trumann School District

Superintendent

More Information

More Information

https://arkansas.schoolspring.com/

VISIT OUR JOB SITE FOR MORE 14

Administrator December 2019/January 2020

Salary Survey

2019

Average Salaries of Arkansas School Administrators

School Year

15

Superintendent

High School Principal

Elementary Principal

1993-94

53,775

43,648

41,584

1994-95

55,626

44,755

43,131

1995-96

57,514

46,450

44,725

1996-97

60,438

48,402

46,654

1997-98

61,444

49,603

47,826

1998-99

63,523

51,136

49,353

1999-00

66,626

53,012

51,172

2000-01

69,827

55,248

53,567

2001-02

72,647

57,808

56,079

2002-03

75,067

59,525

57,817

2003-04

77,529

61,536

59,764

2004-05

87,180

67,869

65,407

2005-06

89,755

69,117

67,147

2006-07

94,514

70,622

65,095

2007-08

96,871

71,601

66,148

2008-09

98,794

74,178

72,187

2009-10

99,734

74,251

72,940

2010-11

102,783

75,120

73,904

2011-12

104,477

75,378

74,704

2012-13

106,502

76,205

75,940

2013-14

107,910

78,049

76,555

2014-15

109,499

78,087

76,370

2015-16

111,984

79,892

78,600

2016-17

113,712

81,303

80,122

2017-18

115,635

82,190

80,570

2018-19

116,668

83,463

81,146

2019-20

119,041

84,238

82,542

Administrator December 2019/January 2020

A total of 225 school districts participated in the annual AAEA survey of salaries for school administrators and classroom teachers for the 2019-20 school year. The survey was conducted September through December.

Data from 2018-19 is used for those districts that did not respond to AAEA’s request for current year data.

The average salaries for various categories of state school administrators and classroom teachers, grouped by school district size, are shown in the table on page 17. National salary data comes from two sources: AASA (the School Superintendents Association) and NEA (National Education Association). AASA’s data on superintendent and principal salaries represent a small sample of school districts nationwide.

Continued on next page

2019

Results

Superintendents

Elementary Principals

•

Increased from $116,668 in 2018-19 to $119,041 this year.

•

2019-20 $82,542 compared to 2018-19 $81,146

•

National median for districts less than 2500 ADM - $128,000, districts 2500-10,000 ADM - $167,444 and for districts 10,000-25,000 ADM 204,000. Source: AASA Partial Survey of Districts Nationwide

•

National median for districts less than 2500 ADM -$87,323, districts 2500-10,000 ADM - $98,000, and for districts 10,000-25,000 ADM $100,000. Source: AASA Partial Survey of Districts Nationwide

High School Principals •

2019-20, $84,238, up from $83,463 a year ago.

•

National median for districts less than 2500 ADM -$93,000, districts 2500-10,000 ADM $115,000, and for districts 10,000-25,000 ADM $122,000. Source: AASA Partial Survey of Districts Nationwide

Classroom Teachers •

2019-20 $50,163 an increase over 2018-19 $49,616

•

National Average for 2017-18 $60,477.

Estimated National average for 2018-19 $61,730. (Source: NEA)

Additional Information for 2019-2020 AAEA has expanded the survey over the past several years to include additional categories. Here is the additional information gathered representing statewide averages.

•

Bus Driver — Daily beginning rate of pay: $48.70

•

Bus Driver — Hourly beginning rate of pay: $16.21

•

Technology Coordinators — Average salary: $52,460.00

•

Federal Coordinators — Average salary: $77,804.00

•

Substitute Teachers — Beginning daily rate of pay: $72.87

•

80% of districts responding to the survey reported they outsourced substitute teacher services.

•

21% of districts responding to the survey reported they outsourced cafeteria services.

•

27% of districts responding to the survey reported they outsourced at least a portion of custodial services.

•

35% of districts responding to the survey reported they provided some kind of incentive for good perfect Continued on next page attendance.

16

Administrator December 2019/January 2020

2019

Results Enrollment

Superintendent

Deputy/Asst.

Superintendent

Business Manager

High School Principal

Asst. HS Principal

  Above 4,000

197,074

124,281

105,558

108,500

86,623

3,000-3,999

159,814

109,463

74,836

96,921

80,429

2,000-2,999

135,861

98,964

63,269

88,677

75,792

1,000-1,999

115,517

88,109

53,956

80,207

70,472

500-999

101,852

79,970

47,514

76,153

63,822

Below 500

93,625

-0-

43,587

72,535

57,539

State Average

119,041

107,802

56,088

84,238

79,829 *Limited Data

Enrollment

Jr. HIgh/ MIddle Principal

Elementary

Asst. Elem.

Special Ed.

Principal

Principal

Supervisor

Above 4,000

98,164

91,303

75,388

97,576

55,838

3,000-3,999

87,560

84,688

70,719

85,690

49,385

2,000-2,999

84,239

79,166

65,259

78,194

49,000

1,000-1,999

79,398

75,395

63,917

71,736

45,648

500-999

75,128

73,584

63,916

64,899

43,310

NA*

70,379

NA*

60,814

41,154

87,035

82,542

71,572

76,473

50,163

Below 500 State Average

State salaries compiled by AAEA research - December 2019

17

Classroom Teacher

Administrator December 2019/January 2020

*Limited Data

Training

The

Networking

Voice

Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators

Mentoring

Legal Services

Advocacy

for School Administrators theaaea.org