School Board News Today

In the Current Issue

• Obama transition team weighing funding increase for education
  When Barack Obama was campaigning for the presidency, he made some major promises about increasing the federal investment in education, including $18 billion in new money for K-12 education, a $10 billion investment in prekindergarten, and full funding for special education.
• Districts cope with rising numbers of homeless students
  When a 15-year-old boy and his 13-year-old sister went to school recently in Macomb County, Mich., they had no idea what would await them when they came home: Although their father had been laid off from a professional job a few months ago, their mother was working, and the children thought their family was getting by. They were shocked to discover their family had been evicted and was now homeless.
• Final NCLB rules impose new burdens on districts
  The U.S. Education Department has issued final regulations making major changes in how the No Child Left Behind Act is implemented.
• Be inspired at NSBA’s Conference
  Three outstanding speakers have been lined up so far for General Sessions at NSBA’s Annual Conference, April 4-7 in San Diego.
• Shrinking budgets mean school boards must make tough decisions
  The nation’s struggling economy -- leading to rising unemployment, less consumer spending, and reduced tax receipts -- is taking a toll on school district budgets. While districts hope to avoid cuts affecting the classroom, many are considering teacher layoffs, larger class sizes, and reductions in education programs.
• Despite recession, most voters support school bonds and levies
  The nation’s economic troubles did not appear to discourage most voters confronted with school bonds or levies on the Nov. 4 ballot.
• Federation Focus/The Central Region: Central Region states concerned with funding, student achievement
  The Minnesota legislature will have to deal with a projected deficit of $2 billion when it convenes in January, which means local districts probably will have to trim their budgets, says Bob Meeks, executive director of the Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA).
• Former NSBA President Gallucci reflects on governance
  Jane, based on your experience and familiarity with national trends, what do you see as the pre-eminent leadership challenges facing school board members around the country?
• Chronic absenteeism of young students often overlooked
  Everyone knows children can’t learn if they’re not in school. Yet, many school board members are not aware that they might have schools with large percentages of “chronically absent” students.
• NSBA President: Professional development is a wise investment
  When school boards confront tough budget battles, how can they make the best decisions to maximize limited resources? How can board members choose the most cost-effective technology systems? What about the instructional methods most likely to produce student achievement gains, or the facility improvements most likely to reduce energy costs?
• NSBA Editorial/Boards’ Eye View: The Bush years: Some lessons learned
  As the education community looks forward to a new era in the federal role in education, it’s also a good time to look back and evaluate what has happened over the last eight years -- and consider the lessons to be learned.
• Legal Ease: School Law Notes
  Boards must protect children from sexual misconduct By Donald F. Austin and Michael A. Patterson
• Innovations
  
• Fast Report