June 10, 2010  WASSP meeting at Wapati

Items discussed:

1.State Conference is November 1-2 in Casper:  featuring Jon Gordon, Coach Jim Morris (Blindside)

2.EmmaJo reported on America’s Promise Grant:  wrap up in Cheyenne, Laramie, or Saratoga

3.Ken:  Next NASSP convention is in San Francisco Feb 23-25 or worse.

4.Dues:  Haven’t been raised in six years.  Put it out for a vote.

5.PTSB webiste:  list of what you can teach under your certification.

6. 6.State convention:  can we join others?
   

Meeting of the WASSP Board

May 12, 2010

IN ATTENDANCE:  Joanne, Shannon, Ursula, EmmaJo, Tony, Christy, Matt and Mike.

7:55

Minutes   Ursula sent out minutes after April meeting;  read

Treasurer:  need significant monies to pay EmmaJo through October and reimburse expenses 2008-2010.  Need approximately 6000 without travel.

Old business: 

Drop out:   We need to have the wrap up in June to get as many people back as possible. Mike Sobias is and was excited about putting business people together so that they can continue to meet 2X year, and he would find funding.  Dates in June we need to talk about; EmmJo suggests emailing to see if we can get dates. Tony wants P16 to work together with America’s Promise; wrap up and get participation.  EmmaJo will check with America’s promise and the P16 to see if they can work together.

Next Year’s Convention:  November 1 and 2:  John Gordon is signed up to be there November 1 through sponsors.  EmmaJo doesn’t think there’s a problemwith money.  Needs other’s help re businesses that can be contacted.  First Interestate Bank she thinks should be a big sponsor (1-2000.)  John will speak for two hours primarily with the Energy Bus and the Shark and the Goldfish type topics.  Save the date has been sent.  Spec Ed speaker as well.  Two sets of POY because last year’s date conflicted with DC forum date.  Holiday Inn/Ramada Inn on river.  69/room.  Free hot breakfast out by swim pool/plaza area.  Right next door would be our meeting room.  $4.95 for folks who don’t stay there.  If we have those rooms there, we won’t pay room charges for our rooms, based on 75 people.  (That’s twice as many people as we usually have.)  We’ll  pay a 40 set up for each room if we don’t have people attend.

Tony wants to make sure that when we put the budget together, 75 people is ambitious, so we should plan on room set up fees in that budget.  EJo wonders if we should invite other schools to come view John Gordon.   JG regularly charges 25,0000…we’re getting him for 7500.  He limits the number of schools he visits.  We could open his presentation and charge 50/75/100 to come see him.  Tony saw him in DC and thought he did a great job.  Ursula’s staff will probably be going; UW will send coaches.  Coaching book The Training (something.)  Last year we gave them all the Steve Edwards book.  Maybe we could give them a John Gordon book.  We could survey at registration to see which book they’d like.  Work it in with registration.

Bill Ayres:  did anyone find anything out about that?  Matt had a couple of conservative parents that found out that we had something to do with bringing them down; far right parents.  Heard his speech was pretty good.  EmmaJo got some phone calls, etc. and decided not to respond in the paper.  More to lose than to gain.   WE dodged the bullet and no need to stir things up.

New business

BOE:  met in Laramie last Friday.  Surveys to administration (18 responses.)  Got 186 responses from teachers.  Differentiated transcript means very little to schools.  Tony guarantees that it’s not going away. 

Wapati:  Tony’s newsletter:  Casper bounced back.  Tony sent the newsletter to all principals.  Not to asst principals probably because state doesn’t keep track of them (Tony got emails from state.)  June 11-12.  Mtg for exec directors at 4:00 on the 10th. 

Joanne will be there; Shannon will not be there; Ursula won’t be there; EmmJo will be there; Christy will, Matt and Mike will not be there.  So, we won’t have our executive meeting retreat then.  We will have a short WASSP meeting while everyone else has their group meetings.

Terazzi will retire June 2011. 

Union Pacific Meeting:  Ursula and EJo met with them last night.  They will provide one speaker of their choice for our convention, and they’d like to come to the convention this year.

Dues Increase:  We’re not covering everything.  EmmaJo:  I get paid 850 per month, and I asked not to have salary raised, but I had expenses phones, etc.  $1000 per year without receipts just to cover.  Hasn’t been paid expenses for 09 and 10.  She’s gone to meetings to NASSP etc. but hasn’t been reimbursed.  DC is gone, but director’s retreat is still held.  She’s gone to all that she’s supposed to go to, except the Toronto one.  This year she signed up for one in a couple of weeks, however, 1000 room and + transportation,  it seemed too hard and expensive.  Cancelled this one.  She’ll get the info, but won’t spend the money and effort to go.  Most states have full time employees with staff.  They make 100,000 per year with benefits.  Dues are higher in other states.  We haven’t had a dues increase since NASSP has increased.  We’re the lowest dues in the nation.  Tony asked Ejo to have a comparison of dues at retreat.  However, if NASSP isn’t notified by first of June, we have to wait another year.  EJo indicates that small increments are better than a huge increase.  $115 for Wyoming portion.  $349 total.  Members have to be informed and vote for an increase.  Christy needs estimate of unreimbursed travel expenses in order to anticipate needs for budget increase.  Mike says email out Rocky Mt. expenses and take a look at what other states are charging and offering.  Tony warns that folks might drop out because they aren’t getting anything out of it.  Shannon says to increase membership.  BINGO. 

Matt asks if we’ve endorsed a candidate  or two for State Supt.  Ted Adams and Mike Massey both very strong. Future agenda item.

Schedule the retreat ASAP.

Meeting adjourned at 7:50.

Christy Campbell

WASSP Minutes

April 7, 2010

Present: Tony Anson, Matt Straningan, Mike Helenbolt, Ursula Harrison, Ken Griffith, Dana Lyman

Approval of minutes for February:

Treasurer’s report:

Old Business

Drop Out Forum:

Convention on Nov 1 & 2 in Casper – SAVE THE DATE Matt and Mike suggested Mike Mattos and Anthony Mohomad from Solution Tree as possible speakers.  Tony also commented that the Special Ed division would like to present at our convention – EmmaJo has some speakers lined out. Tony will contact her.

Regional Meetings- Mike reported that he had sent out an invite but got no response. Tony reported that Joanne had tried a couple of times. Everyone is so busy and to add another meeting?

School Improvement Report – We did not have a booth or the window, Ursula did take it, and nor were the elementaries allowed to display their window. Unless we are going to be like the vendors we will need to pay. Next September Ursula will talk to Walt about sharing the space. We will have to pay for a booth; NASSP has some books for us to sell.

POY Applications – these were sent to Superintendents back in January and an  email went out to all Principals. Check with EmmaJo for the applications.

New Business

PTSB Volunteer – Ken received 5 names

John Cook, Tracy Raglan, Phil Gerhard, Joanne Flanagan, Barbara Leseith.  We discussed sending all 5 and letting the PTSB decide. It was proposed by Matt that we rank them and then send the list. The top 3 were 1. Joanne Flanagan, 2. John Cook 3. Tracy Raglan. Ken will send this to Dr. Pollard

BOE Meeting – Tony reported that they are meeting monthly, discussing the rules and regs. They have put together a questionnaire for principals and this will be sent out on the list serve. Having looked back over the history it looks as if it was a pro-active response to NCLB. Is it something to continue or is it done. After all it led to the 3 endorsements and what does that really mean? Tony will keep us informed.

Newsletter – Need articles, Mike has already got his in., Tony made an appeal for us all to send ASAP.

Other – Matt says that he had some concerns from parents with regards to WASSP endorsing Bill Ayers. Tony said the only contact he had about it was if he wanted to participate in a WEN conference, he had no idea who or what. Will check and see if anyone spoke for WASSP

Wapiti – The Elementary is in Charge – June 11 and 12,  Walt Wragge has invited a motivational speaker Jim Tunney who is an NFL Referee, we will also have the superintendent candidates

Ken – he has cleaned up the list serve and got a few new folks interested. He also suggests that we have a mini regional meeting and invite SD, ND, NEB and a few others. As far as NASSP is concerned these meetings in DC are gone. Remember that we need to invite all when we have our convention. Ursula said that we did last time and for both of the Dropout Forums.

Tony expressed concern over the social at nationals and whether we do that again, Ken said that he will pick up next years.

Adjourn: 7:23

February 10, 2010

6:50 WEN meeting commences

In attendance:

Mike Hellenbolt, Matt Strannigan, Tony Anson, Christy Campbell, Larry Uhling, Ursula Harrison, Emma Jo Spiegleberg, Shannon Harris, Dean Kelly, Ken Griffith, Joanne Flanagan

Minutes approved (change 115 new members to 125 members)

$229 in treasury

Emma Jo will have some  $$ to send in soon, but not very much.

Old Business:

Drop out forum:  we should call businesses and send EmmaJo their email if they’re interested

$62 rooms at Holiday Inn; other facility is all set.

Freudenthal is a no, McBride is a no, Simpson is yes, someone else yes

Here’s who’s coming:    No answer on that.

Discussion of potential attendees from Cheyenne.  Ursula will call Mike H.  Dean Kelly asked for the invitation to be sent to forward to parent groups. 

Emma Jo encourages us to get this attendance up to 40 people.

Next year’s convention in Casper.  Hotels contacted?  No.  Working on Drop out Forum.

Nov 1-2:  Tony asks is it normally 1.5 or two?  We had it 1.5 this year because drop out forum.  We traditionally have two days and will continue to have it 2 days for one credit.  We will begin at breakfast and end at 3:30 on last day. 

Regional meetings:  anybody had any?  NOPE

EmmaJo suggests that the regional reps set the meetings up on the WEN.  That’s possible, but the problem is that we’re not doing it.  That was one of our goals…but not much movement being made.  Dates are a problem.  Joanne reports that she will get something set up; Shannon the same.  Mike and Larry will put that on their lists.

(Ok, guys, this discussion is going from one topic to another…fine with me, BUT!!!!!)

National convention:  State social will be Saturday evening. Herff Jones will help out.  EmmaJo will send out invitations to those registered.  Anything we need to do for Ken?  Everything for Ken happens Friday morning, which is almost pre-convention.  Ken has tote bags to hand out to the initial meeting, new cards coming…not much going on, he’s about to hit up the pres and pres elects, coordinators, etc.  Ursula asks if there will be something for her to hand out on Thursday.  When Ken gets there, he’ll have something.   Both Ursula and EmmaJo will hand things out at the social Thursday.  Ursula is driving, so she has offered to transport things for him.  Ken thanks us for the support; he’s anxious, and WE’RE excited that he’s a candidate for Pres elect.  The meeting is at 9:00 Friday; here’s the process:  two candidates, each candidate gets a 5 minute speech; coordinators go into caucus and prepare 5-7 questions, then the meeting opens, one at a time they’re questioned for 20 minutes, then the voting reps vote, and it’s done right there.  That slate of candidates goes to the general session business meeting and unless there’s a surprise, it’s a done deal.

There’s a state pres meeting on Sunday that Tony will be unable to attend.  Larry would be his rep, but is also unable to attend.  Ursula will go.

School improvement:  Ursula will take the stuff down for the booth (window shade.)  Do we want to sell books?  She doesn’t really want to sit there and man the table, so we won’t sell books.

POY applications:  letter to sups?  EmmaJo has contacted most sups.  That info should be forthcoming.

Any further old business?   No.

New business:

Tony:  State is developing a principal and certified evaluation instrument.  Beginning next year, we have to use the state-developed instrument or defend their own instrument as to how it addresses the standards.  M (Textbook company) has an online instrument.  Tony will get the website so we might be able to look at sample things.  The principal one is based on Marzano 12  areas that improve instruction. 

Will the districts have an opportunity to take a look at these or have input?  Only five principals represented at the meeting; we’ll take a look at it then.

It has exactly to do with Chapter 29 adoption.

Next Monday, Feb. 16, Joanne and Tony are going to the BOE Study meeting in Casper.  Purpose is to consider future of the BOE.  Group seems to have purpose to get together to prove that we have to have an accountability system (BOE) by law.  Are there adjustments that can be made that will make this more manageable?  (Local control, but do exactly as we say!)  It’s going to come down next year to the total system K-12.  We’re going to have to incorporate the BOE into the lower grades next year.

Elem is putting on Wapati June 11-12.  That’s Thursday and Friday. (no, Friday and Sat.)  Retreat:  Is there a better time to put on the WASSP retreat?  June 10?   We need a commitment to start at noon and go through dinner on Thursday. 

Ursula has been on the committee for hiring of leadership at UW.  UW expresses shock at turnover of principals at this state.  University believes that there is no professional development for principals. Not true.  University does not receive info.  Not true.  Ursula suggested that they had an active member on our committee.  Met with Kate whatever her name is and suggested that she felt strongly that they became more active in the loop so that they knew what was going on.  It’s a concern about turnover.  Why are they leaving?  No support.  Big districts do mentoring; don’t know what they do in small districts.  Heather’s on this committee; although Tony hasn’t invited her, she has  been invited , but she doesn’t attended and she hasn’t paid her dues. 

Is the turnover really a problem?  Ken doesn’t believe it is.  It is at some districts, who are unfriendly to principals, but overall, it doesn’t seem to be.

The state is very interested in NBC for principals.  Mary Garland from Elbogen foundation met with Ursula.  How can they help fund principal certification?   $$ is always an issue. 

Certification (or lack thereof) for sups is an issue as well.

Tony suggests inviting UW to the drop out forum. Ursula is meeting with them today. 

Joanne asked about the survey that the UW is allegedly giving.  Ursula couldn’t get specifics re any turnover.  Lack of support is allegedly from the district level. 

Ursula will get more info.

Any further business to come before us?

Ken wants info ASAP re the fall convention.  We need it by the first of April so that we can get it on the newsletter and folks can add it to the calendar.

Best turnout in a long time.  Good job, everyone!!!

7:37 Meeting over

Christy Campbell

Secretary

Meeting of the WASSP Board

January 13, 2010

6:50  Tony called the meeting to order

In attendance:  Tony, EmmaJo, Ursula, Mike H, Matt S, Dana, Christy, Dean Kelly and Chris B, Larry U

Sec report:  sent via email earlier

Treasurer’s report  1079 left in account.  EmmaJo paid through January; Allied Ins paid; enough for February left in account.

EmmaJo reported that we have a bill for 9000+ due, and after that’s paid, the treasury will receive $$ for 115 members.

Drop out forum:

Februry 22 NOT at the Holiday Inn; Cheyenne Community Center will be a really good situation for us.  Let’s encourage business owners in SE Wyoming to attend; everything’s been approved;

Spring School Improvement:  we should have a booth; Ursula has to go; let’s discuss at the next meeting.

Membership cards:  anything out to Cheyenne? EJ reports that we have 125 members.  Tony reports that the principals in Cheyenne don’t have a membership card; Mike reports that the people in his bldg and another JH have not heard from NASSP or anywhere else; no confirmation. Ursula says that NASSP sent them a card that they have to peel off.  Did they throw it away?  Mike will be a test case.  Cards are just arriving now from payment last fall.  Long turn around.  EJ reports NASSP is still having trouble with computer system.

Next year’s convention, any reports?  Jon Gordon wants to present, but we don’t know how much he costs.  He’d be a big draw if we could get him.  Have we started looking for hotels and such?  November 1-2 in Casper. Mike wanted to mention two speakers from the PLC community Mike Mantos and Dr. Anthony Mohammed  Solution Tree is the website.  Mohammed was at the elem conf last year, and he was well received. EJ mentions Todd Whitaker, although he’s been around the state a lot, including WAEMSP and SIM.   What should we charge for registration? Anita Archer RTI in residence in Laramie; should Ursula ask her?

Regional meetings:  Anyone had one yet?  No one reports meeting.

Any more old business?  Brandon Jensen is our Assistant Principal of the Year, from Cody High School.  Dave has resigned/retired at the end of this year.  All of us should search for people to fill out the POY forms.  Ursula says to send out a general announcement to all members (email) to principals themselves.  Send to supts, too, to nominate someone.  T asks EJ for email list for supts. 

National convention:  Get names for ideas for state convention.  Who’s going?  Tony, Walt W, Ursula, EmmaJo, Dave F,

State social:  Is that set?  EJo has been in touch with D. Johnson re cost.  NASSP schedules that.  In the past EJo takes care of convention money and uses extra to pay for the social; however, no extra $$ this year.  We have a CD that in 1990 was worth 6000, now 8500.  They pay us 2.5% on the CD.  EJo’s question:  Can she take out $2500 prior to it’s maturity to pay for our share of the bill?  Moved and seconded.  Voted, motion passed.  We’ll use the interest to fund the social Emma still has rooms;

Anyone heard from Ken?  He emailed Tony yesterday that he had a meeting.  Ursula’s concern is that we were supposed to send something out launching him as a candidate, but we haven’t heard a word from him.  Bio necessary; we presume that he’s still running.

Any more business to come before us?    None.

Meeting adjourned 7:21.

Christy Campbell, Secretary

December 9, 2009

6:50 members in attendance Larry, Dana, EmmaJo, Ursula, Tony, Christy,  Mike Hellenbolt and Matt Strannigan

Treasurer’s report:  $283

EmmaJo mailed Christy a check yesterday

EmmaJo reviewed financial report re funds not held by treasurer:

We have 125 members; it’s a cyclical year so we won’t have dues for everyone.

Here’s what we spent money on that had to do with convention:

239.48 speaker’s gifts, haven’t used all

$560 for lodging per night, reimbursed by those who stayed

Teton Science School

$608 breakfast

814 Lunch

1122 banquet

74.63 alcohol to be reimbursed

32 coffee and snacks

530 classroom use

200 AV equipment

540 staff to serve

160 administrative fee

5140.63 total for Teton Science School

add speaker gifts

We took in 9085 for 79 members dues

6328 paid NASSP

gifts for reception for POY 63

USPS 17.50

Reception at NASSP our half 2188.33 with ND

USPS  15.00

Ed Finkel will have an amount (?)

EMJo 85 regist

Room 119 shoshoni  Lodge

Door prizes 84.04

Laramie country club reimbursed  136.96

Supplies for convention 150.41   on credit card to EmmaJo

Plaques  (no amount stated)

515 Ed Research subscription

Bottom line cost total 6602.61  Took in 6000

APA has helped us John Draper out of Drop out Prevention; Steve Edwards and books out of APA; either raise convention fee or get more people.

APA:  do we really need an itemized statement?  What part do you need to update?  Haven’t spent any money since last time.

5718. XX  Edwards

466.85 from John Draper

We have enough money to do the next summit and Steve Edwards will come to do his part and John can’t come.  Steve will be 3000 + expenses.  EJ hasn’t heard back about an extension on the grant.  Schedule for Feb. 8 (Monday) best for Ursula and  Tony (Christy unavailable due to teaching obligations for WWCC)  Cheyenne or Laramie.  Follow up summit;  State Farm grant.  No extension necessary.  Try the south side Holiday Inn of Cheyenne.  Little America and Laramie charge exorbitant rates.  EJ will find out more info.

Did everyone get the minutes from the coalition meeting?

Report from Tony on SurveyMonkey on the convention:

62.5% said Monday is the best day

10 Tuesday

17.5 Wednesday

Look at come in Sunday night, full day on Monday, rest of it on Tuesday

October 30%

November 27.5

Comment on month:  When we go mid October, we run into hunting.  School improvement date?  No knowledge.  How does first week of November?  Affect hunting?  Affect State FB?  Monday shouldn’t be a problem. 

Tentative date:  First week of November.  Monday November 1-2

48.7 % went to Casper

20 Cheyenne

No one else came close

Suggestions for EmmaJo for a meeting place in Casper?  Hilton Garden Center.  Come on Inn.  Ramkata

Membership cards:  did they go out? EmmJo asks what that it.  Mike asked for her to send a membership card.  EJo says the principals don’t need a membership card.  Get that from NASSP.  EmmaJo can send something out to the people; new directory will help. 

Membership cards:  it would be nice to be able to identify members…EJo will send Mike a list.  Tony says that we can get the list from NASSP to Mike.   

Emma Jo reports that NASSP is going to a new computer system and their list may not be accurate.  EJo will send a list.  Dana asked for a copy of the list of members so that we can work on our membership drive.

Ursula will send out the list.  We’ve had 15 new members since November, but she’ll send the list of paid members.  107 + 15= 125

Tony:  If we have the list, please send it to all the regions, and we can make contacts.  Mike Helenbolt:  Let’s do something!!!  Let’s send something out to all principals to show that we’re still alive and have a pulse.

Tony is working on a newsletter; Survey says electronically 98%.  Do we want to send it out to members, non-members, etc. or just members.  Format:  email is too easy to delete.  Send it out hard copy to each principal.  With membership application; regional folks to do follow up. 

Matt will send Tony the data base on principals.  Ursula reminds us that we just got the new directory.  20-25 new principals/AP from EMJo

Tony will send the newsletter and membership form snailmail.  Send out an email .

Regional meetings:  have we had anything? 

Ursula had a report from NASSP.  Regional meetings are underfunded.  One day workshop in DC.  Bring in President elect to train.  Coordinator to work with legislative actions.  Improvements:  in our regions, recruitment is down in every state except for Michigan. States went down.  Ours only five, (but it’s all relative.)  K-8 principal K-12 going to NAEMSP.  Lots of consolidation of principals of small schools.  NASSP has redesigned the magic pack, the promotion pack.  NASSP would like us to consider having a NASSP store.  Ursula will work on this to see if we want to host a bookstore at the convention.

Mike has an article in his head…Tony wants to get the newsletter out next week. 

From Tony:  Ursula will send members to Tony and to regional reps, we’re shooting for Casper Nov. 1-2; preliminary ideas regarding sites Wapati,

Ursula:  Is there any kind of article that we can put in the newsletter re Middle Level?  Since WAEMSP is going after them.  Tony will call Ken to get info to include in the newsletter.

Meeting ended 7:45.  Christy apologizes for the interruption!  

Respectfully submitted,

Christy Campbell, secretary/treasurer

Minutes of General Business Session, Jackson Conference

Matt Strannigan opened the general meeting at about 7:55 in Jackson Wyoming

SE discussion proposal next year…fall meeting face to face.  Driving membership and growing the group and profession.

SE face to face meeting. Fall meeting in conjunction with BYU game.  Morning meeting.  WEN forum?  Best practices and ideas.

Talked about June conference.  This is a great venue right here.  Perhaps this is a better setting.  Can we get this venue for the rates we get now?  Quality of speakers.  June conference we need great motivational  speakers instead of say, assessment.

Mike Mantoz inspirational. 

Strategic plan, short term and long term goals.

Tony Anson:    visited about dates for this conference.   Perhaps back it up to SIM or August.  Other places were Cody, Sheridan,   Regional meetings:   perhaps in Thermop. 

Larry Uhling:  face to face meetings and using the WEN once a month.   Get folks here.  Two X per year face to face, once a month fourth Wednesday a month for a WEN meeting.    Other discussion regarded  voting issues.

Our action plan for this year is vision

Mission:  build membership  (We had nine last year here and 40 paid here.)  Thirty attended, so growth.  Identify a core of leaders to attend the fall conference and run for office.

Fall and spring newsletter:  We need submissions for that.  Regional reps solicit information for that.

Action items:  fall conference brochure, put it out early.  Missed the goal by a month almost.    Drop out summit .  Attend SIM and distribute info.  Display booth.   Present at the spring conference as a follow up to drop out summit.

List serve:  Kudos to Ken.  We stumbled a bit at first, but certainly it has been beneficial as folks used it.

Ursula:  We use the WEN system for the steering committee.  Has found that the WEN is not great for regional meetings because of the distraction of the job…

Descriptions of the positions:  secretary/treasurer can serve as long as she wants.  Coordinator is elected every two years.  Reps from around the state:  we’ve tried to solicit  folks to serve.  Assistant Principals wanted us to have a meeting for them, but it’s hard to find a date for AP.  Should we have a separate program for AP?  We need a rep who wants to serve.  

NW:  Take Dan off the ballot.  Joanne Flanagan is the rep

SW:  Shannon Harris

SE:  Mike Helenbolt

NE:  Dean Kelley  will remain as the rep

Write ins for AP:  Joanne will talk to her AP to see if he or she will be willing to serve.

Roberts rules were replaced by Ursula’s:  Larry Uhling is up for president elect, and Ursula will congratulate Larry on his victory.

Tony Anson, Pres, Christty Campbell SEC, Ursula Coordinator, Mid level Dana Lyman.

Ken is running for Pres Elect.  Convention is in Phoenix mid March.  Rooms are reserved, but we have to turn the block in  by October 31.  Friday 13th, done by mid morning on Sunday.

That’s it!

8:07