AdminiScope Summer 2014

A dmini Published quarterly for members of The Buckeye Association of School Administrators

S cope I hope this issue of the AdminiScope finds each of you reflecting on a great start to the school year and all of the great things you will be able to experience with your students, staff, and community in the year ahead. Now is the time we get to implement the plans that have been prepared to provide students a great experience and experience the satisfaction that comes with seeing those planning efforts result in success. While you may never receive the credit you deserve for this great work, you will know that your leadership was a major contribution and can take great pride in your efforts. This will be a year of change and new opportunity at BASA as well. Just as you work on plans to better serve students, we work on plans to better serve our members. To that end I am pleased to announce that BASA has formed the Ohio School Leadership Foundation. The foundation was created as a 501(c3) organization that will permit us to pursue funding from foundations and businesses for programs and opportunities to support school leadership and our profession. Some of our current BASA programs will be shifted to the foundation so that outside funding can be secured. In addition the foundation will be able to provide program evaluation, survey work, and other efforts to support school leadership. You will certainly hear more about this effort as we move forward. As a result of the formation of this new foundation Dr. Jerry Klenke will be transitioning on January 1, 2015 from his role as Deputy Executive Director at BASA to the role of President of the Ohio School Leadership Foundation. With Jerry’s rich background and experience, he is very well suited to lead the establishment of the foundation and make its operation a valuable resource for superintendents. By Dr. Kirk Hamilton, BASA Executive Director

Summer 2014

President’s Message By Michael Tefs, Ed.D.

In a recent column of Inc . magazine, entrepreneur Brad Feld explained how

he writes his way to a solution. “Finally, after almost 20 years of writing, the light bulb came on for me. I write to think,” he explains. I am using this article by “writing to think” my way to a successful 2015 and the awesome responsibility of serving as a superintendent of schools. The Buckeye Association of School Administrators (BASA) is watching the educational landscape and working diligently to cultivate your advocacy and professional development. There are more actions that require our attention and leadership than I have ever experienced. Here are just a few initiatives that I am “thinking” about and working to build systems for their successful implementation: Curriculum: Nationally, the Common Core State Standards debate continues to flourish and has certainly made landfall here in Ohio in the form of HB597. We all have been working diligently, since 2010, at implementing Ohio’s new learning standards. Assessing what is noise and what is material to our leadership as superintendents for the academic learning standards we deliver instructionally is certainly up for debate and often dependent on our local political and philosophical cultures. How are you engaging this conversation in your professional learning community? Continued on page 5

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The Common Core: Where We’ve Been – and Where We are

By the BASA Staff

While House Bill 597 (which would abolish the Common Core in Ohio) is headed for a favorable report from the House Rules Committee during Labor Day week, this legislation will not receive a vote from the full House until after the General Election on November 4. (There are no voting sessions scheduled before then.) In 1996, the nation’s governors and business leaders founded Achieve, Inc. as a bipartisan organization with the goals of raising academic standards and graduation requirements, improving assessments, and strengthening accountability. Within two years, Achieve initiated an Academic Standards and Assessments Benchmarking Pilot Project, and this led to the launch of the American Diploma Project in 2001. The project’s goal was to identify the essential knowledge and skills most demanded by higher education and employers. After two years of research, a landmark report, “Ready or Not: Creating a High School Diploma That Counts,” was issued. In 2005, Achieve joined with the National Governors Association to launch the American Diploma Project Network in 13 inaugural states, including Ohio. Those states joining committed to raise the rigor of their high school standards, assessments, and curricula. Ohio’s entry into this effort probably reflected the fact that then Ohio Governor Bob Taft was the co-chair of Achieve at that time. Work then began on the development of the Common Core State Standards with Achieve in partnership with the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers. A first public draft of the standards was then released in March 2010. Ohio was the first state in the nation to hold regional public awareness and input meetings across the state with more than 500 people in attendance. Work on the Common Core standards had accelerated following the passage of House Bill 1 by the 128 th General Assembly. The legislation, which was contained within the budget bill, required the State Board of Education to adopt revised academic content standards in English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies by no later than June 30, 2010. The same legislation required State Superintendent of Public Instruction Deborah Delisle to present the revised standards before the Education Committees of both the Ohio House and the Ohio Senate prior to their adoption by the State Board of Education. The report identified a “common core” of English and mathematics academic knowledge and skills (then called “benchmarks”) for success in college and the workplace.

The State Superintendent introduced the standards to the two committees in May 2010, and the State Board formally adopted them at its June 2010 meeting.

Last fall, House Bill 237 was introduced to abolish the Common Core standards and the related assessments. The legislation received two hearings before the House Education Committee but was not scheduled for any subsequent hearings. Among the criticisms of the bill were that it would lead to reduced rigor and that there was no alternative set of standards offered. With no hearings scheduled, it has been reported that over twenty members of the Ohio House have signed a discharge petition, a not often used legislative tool to move a bill out of committee directly onto the House floor for a vote.

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Executive Director – continued from page 1

The Common Core- continued from page 2

The need for the discharge petition has now probably become moot with the introduction of House Bill 597 on July 28. Originally only a placeholder bill, HB 597 declared the legislature’s “intent that sections of the Revised Code be amended, enacted, or repealed to rescind the adoption of the Common Core Initiative academic standards as the state's primary and secondary academic content standards in English language arts and mathematics.” However, unlike the earlier House Bill 237, this legislation outlined the alternative to the Common Core standards. The proposal is to use the Common Core standards for this coming school year, standards adopted by another state (probably Massachusetts) in 2015-16 and 2016- 17, and then new Ohio standards (to be developed) for 2017-18 and thereafter. Naturally, this would mean that there would be three sets of academic content standards in four years. Critics of the Common Core counter that the final Ohio standards could be based on the standards used by another state and thus reduce the number of changes that might occur if developing the final Ohio standards without a model. Opponents of the Common Core charge that it is a national curriculum, that it is not sufficiently rigorous, and that it jeopardizes student privacy. What is apparent to most observers of the Ohio General Assembly is that the issue has become just as political as it is pedagogical. BASA Presents: A Day With Dave Weber Come out and enjoy two power packed presentations: “Overcoming Life’s Goliaths” and “Leadership Redefined” October 14, 2014 9:30-3:00

Filling the role of Deputy Executive Director is another important step in this transition. I am pleased to announce that Dr. David Axner will be joining BASA on January 1 to serve as the Deputy Executive Director. Many of you will know Dave from his many years as a superintendent and as a very active member of BASA. Dave has served on the BASA executive committee, represented BASA on the Educator Standards Board, and has served on many committees. He is deeply committed to the organization and the profession. We welcome Dave to the BASA staff and know that he will have to fill some very big shoes. The 2014-2015 school year will be filled with opportunities and challenges. We look forward to working with you to take advantage of those opportunities and meeting those challenges. Join us! BASA’s 45 th Fall Conference September 30 & October 1, 2014 Conference Location: Hilton Columbus at Polaris Featuring Key Note Speakers: Jeff Nischwitz , Founder-The Nischwitz Group “Change is Not An Option: Innovation is a Choice” Steve Dembo , Director of Online Community- Discovery Education “Building Bolder Schools: It Doesn’t Hurt to Be First”

Doubletree Worthington 175 Hutchinson Avenue Columbus, OH 43235

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Free Training Sessions with OLAC in September The Ohio Leadership Advisory Council (OLAC), along with BASA, is set to host two trainings for State Support Teams (SSTs) in September. By participating in the training, SSTs can become Certified OLAC Facilitators.

The trainings will be hosted on two separate dates at the Quest Conference Center: September 18, 2014 or September 26, 2014 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. 8405 Pulsar Place Columbus, OH 43240

To learn more about the training sessions, visit www.ohioleadership.org/events.

Call for Nominations: OLAC’s Outstanding District Award Each year, OLAC honors one district in Ohio that has gone above and beyond to embrace the OLAC tools and resources and emphasize shared leadership in their district. Applications are now being accepted for the 2014 award. The award will be presented at the 2014 OLAC Action Forum, scheduled for December 2, 2014 at the DoubleTree Columbus – Worthington. Nominees should exemplify the following criteria:  Demonstrate implementation of the practices in the Ohio Leadership Framework.  Promote the use of OLAC tools, resources, and modules for district and individual professional development.  Participate and support regional/state OLAC professional development opportunities.

To download an application, visit www.ohioleadership.org .

AdvantaCore School Improvement Solutions

AdvantaCore supports PreK-12 public, private, and charter schools and school districts by identifying gaps and weaknesses that are preventing them from achieving peak performance and offering a full menu of proven solutions that will strengthen the entire school community so all students can succeed. As the core resource for strengthening school communities, AdvantaCore meets the unique needs of its clients with a wide range of services, from professional coaching and school system audits to development and customized implementation of professional development programs . By supporting and improving schools throughout the region, it can innovate, implement, and share what works— building strong school communities so that all students can succeed .

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President’s Message - continued from page 1

School Improvement: Unpacking and constructing a robust and publicly transparent communications campaign around the results of the Local Report Card (LRC) will rest as our responsibility. What analytics a school district deploys, the structures and protocols for gap analysis, and gap closure must be evaluated. Though I am personally a significant supporter of the Ohio Improvement Process (OIP), the real question is: “What research-based school improvement model will be used to improve student achievement and respond to the data contained within the LRC of your school district?” Personnel Performance Reviews: Implementing Ohio’s Teacher/Principal Evaluation System (OTES/OPES) continues to challenge the field. How we lead the inconsistencies of the student learning objectives (SLOs) yet embrace a rubric that is wonderfully well composed will need to be addressed. How the effects of HB362 (Alternative Framework) are implemented will require great collaboration and time. Regardless of collective bargaining agreements or statute, superintendents are ultimately responsible for ensuring that this system is implemented with respect for the professional dignity of our faculty and that student achievement improves annually. Morale around this system rests with our leadership. Legislation: Sub. HB 264 takes effect on September 11, 2014. I am so incredibly fortunate to have Akron Children’s Hospital as a partner in our school district (Wooster City). They are assisting tremendously with ensuring that we not only meet but exceed the legislated expectations for service delivery of our diabetic students. How will your school system meet these demands? Human Resources: Recent retirements have brought new teachers and administrators to our schools, and their coaching is more crucial than ever. Thinking how the field supports our newest employees is more than “mentoring.” Their support needs to be initiated with sincere strategic design and energy. Their retention demands great effort on our part. The questions posed above were meant to stimulate some reflective inquiry. They are certainly not an exhaustive list. There are still the new Kindergarten Readiness Assessment, November ballot issues, labor negotiations and relations, etc. I wish you all the very best and sincerely hope that you will contact BASA when a need arises as BASA is here for you.

Thank you for reading. I assure you that writing this has helped me think and reflect on my own leadership this year.

Blessings.

Feld, Brad. (2014, April). The best way to improve the way you think. Inc Magazine , 23-26. Retrieved from: http://www.inc.com/magazine/201404/brad-feld/improve-problem-solving-skills.html

Two Exciting and Distinct BASA Professional Development Tours in June 2015!!

Trip 1 - BASA Professional Development Tour to China, June 8 – June 17, 2015.

Trip 2 - EF Professional Development Tour in conjunction with the EF Global Student Leaders Summit in Davos, Switzerland, June 20 – 29, 2015.

Please see information included in this mailing

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BASA Installs New President

Dr. Michael Tefs has been installed as the new BASA president. Dr. Hamilton, Executive Director of BASA, was the Master of Ceremonies for the installation ceremony held August 12 th at Wooster High School – Performing Arts Center. The new BASA president, Dr. Tefs, is a passionate and active member of BASA and currently serves as the Chair of the Local Report Card Committee and a member of the Ohio Department of Education State Department Committee. Michael was also awarded the Exemplary Educational Leadership award for Region 10 and in 2011 was a graduate of the Ohio School Leadership Institute. Several people were asked to give remarks about during the ceremony. Mr. Michael Steiner, Wooster BOE President, spoke of Michael’s leadership abilities and the pride of the Board of Education in having Dr. Tefs lead the district. Mrs. Emmy Beeson, Superintendent of Ridgement Local Schools, spoke of Dr. Tefs leadership, collaborative nature, and his intense focus on school improvement. Finally, Dr. Dale Fortner, retired Superintendent Wadsworth City Schools, spoke of Michael’s loyality, intelligence, and ability to promote and support staff and students. BASA is proud to have Dr. Michael Tefs as the BASA president! During the president installation ceremony, Robert Hamm, Superintendent, Dover City Schools, was installed as Regional Director for Region 7. Dr. James Metcalf, Superintendent, Plymouth Shiloh Local, was installed as Regional Director of Region 10. Michael Lamb, Superintendent, Shawnee Local Schools, was installed as President-elect of BA SA.

Dr. Michael Tefs, BASA President and Dr. Kirk Hamilton Executive Director.

From left to right: Michael Lamb, President-Elect; Robert Hamm, Regional Director for Region 7, James Metcalf, Regional Director for Regional 10 and Dr. Michael Tefs, BASA President.

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Superintendent Reminders

September 12

Post-August campaign reports due

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Absentee ballots available for eligible overseas and military voters for November election

October 6

Last day for voter registration for November general election Last day to file state consent applications for February 2015 bond issue Final day that absentee ballots (regular and/or in person) can be cast for November election Last day to file objections to voter registration lists for November election Precinct voter registration lists available for November general election Last day to file resolution for necessity for February 2015 bond issue combined with an income tax with Tax Commissioner Last day to file income tax resolution (stand-alone or combined with property tax) with Tax Commissioner

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November 1

Last day to request absentee ballot (by noon)

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Last day for absentee ballots to be mailed (postmarked) Absentee ballots may be voted in person or applied for in person until close of polls

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General and special election.

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Last day to certify resolution for operating/permanent improvement levy for February 2015 election. Last day for JVS to certify resolution for operating/permanent improvement levy to board of elections for February 2015 election

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Executive Director

Dr. R. Kirk Hamilton

BASA Calendar & Professional Development Programs

Deputy Executive Director

Dr. Jerry L. Klenke

Director of Governmental Relations

September 11

Tom Ash

Regional Meeting, Logan Hocking High School

Co-Directors of Member Development

11 Employee Discipline (Upslope), Auglaize County ESC 11-12 How to School Finance I, BASA 12 New Superintendents, Bricker & Eckler 16 Regional Meeting, Montgomery County ESC 17 Regional Meeting, The ESC Conference Center (Cuyahoga) 30 BASA Fall Conference, Hilton Columbus/Polaris

Kathleen D. Lowery/Debbie Campbell

Executive Assistant Executive Assistant Executive Assistant

Denise Hall

Kathryn Williams Tenecia Le’Flore

Adminiscope is published quarterly by the Buckeye Association of School Administrators. Annual subscriptions are included in membership dues. All rights reserved.

How to contact BASA Phone: (614) 846-4080 Fax: (614) 846-4081 Email: events@basa-ohio.org Web: www.basa-ohio.org

October 1

BASA Fall Conference, Hilton Columbus/Polaris

BASA Executive Committee

Michael Tefs President Wooster City Schools (330) 988-1111 wstr_mtefs@woostercityschools.org Michael Lamb President-Elect Shawnee Local Schools (419)998-8342 mike@limashawnee.com Randy Lucas Past President Barnesville EVS (740) 425-3615 barn_rl@omeresa.net

Robert Hamm

Region 7

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OSLI 29, Doubletree

Dover City Schools (330)364-1906 hammb@dovertornadoes.com

14 Dave Weber Conference Doubletree 15-16 How to School Finance I, (New Supts), BASA 21 Employee Discipline (Upslope), BASA 21-22 How to School Finance I, BASA 22 Employee Discipline (Upslope), Montgomery Cty. ESC 23 Employee Discipline (Upslope), The ESC Conference Center (Cuyahoga)

Doug Ute

Region 8

Newark City Schools (740) 670-7000 dute@laca.org

Susan Gunnell

Region 9

Huber Heights City Schools (937) 237-6300 susan.gunnell@huberheightscityschools.org

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Employee Discipline (Upslope), Augalize County ESC

James Metcalf

Region 10

Nate Johnson

Region 1

Plymouth-Shiloh Local Schools (419)687-4733 metalf.jim@plymouth.k12.oh.us David James Appointed Director Akron City Schools (330) 761-2920 djames@akron.k12.oh.us OACTS Warren County Career Center (513) 932-5677 maggie.hess@mywccc.org Margaret Hess

Stryker Local Schools (419) 682-2841 njohnson@strykerpanthers.org

Kevin Haught

Region 2

Arlington Local Schools (419) 365-5121 haughtk@ag.noacsc.org

Cynthia Walker

Region 3

Brooklyn City Schools (216) 485-8110 cynthia.walker@brooklyn.k12.oh.us

Mark Neal

OALSS

Russell Bennett

Region 4

Tri-Valley Local Schools (740) 754-1442 mneal@tvschools.org

Aurora City Schools (330) 954-2228 rbennett@aurora-schools.org Region 5 Mid-East Career & Tech Center (740)454-0105 tperkins@mideastctc.org Rhonda Bohannon Region 6 Three Rivers Local Schools (513) 941-6400 rbohannon@trlsd.org Tom Perkins

David Distel

OESCA

Our Mission

Hamilton County ESC (513) 674-4236 dave.distel@hcesc.org

The mission of the Buckeye Association of School Administrators is to inspire and support its members, develop exemplary school system leaders, and advocate for public education.