11.11 BASA Member Update

Fall 2016

The BASA staff would like to extend our thanks to each of you for what you do each day. Your work is critical, and we know that Ohio’s schools are led by the very best. We hope you take great pride in the many accomplishments of your students and know that you play a significant part in their success. We also express our appreciation for supporting your professional association. It is your involvement with BASA that allows us to have a positive influence on the profession. We have made great strides in Ohio. We have increased graduation rates, are narrowing the achievement gaps, and as a state, have improved our standing significantly. We continue to be the focal point of public dialogue and will continue to be as long as we are one of the largest portions of the state budget and the political focus of economic improvement in the state and country. Everyone has been to school, and everyone has the answers. I not only think it is a great time to be a leader, but a time that our ability and willingness to lead may be more important than it has ever been. Things are changing and will continue to change. They will change with our involvement or without, but they will change. While it may not feel this way, the real exciting aspect of being an educational leader today is that we have the opportunity to help lead the way, to help bring about the desired changes, and the opportunity to help make things better for the generations to come. We have the opportunity to help design the future of education, to help shape the opportunities for future generations. Madeline Hunter once said, “If you want to feel secure, do what you already know how to do. If you want to be a true professional and continue to grow . . . go to the cutting edge of your competence which means a temporary loss of security. So whenever you feel like you don’t know what you’re doing . . . know you’re growing.” continued on page 6 A Great Time to Lead By Dr. Kirk Hamilton, BASA Executive Director

President’s Message By Kelly Spivey

Today, superintendents are leading in a critical time where more policy changes and educational challenges occur than ever before. It is easy to become distracted in the work. Superintendents continue to problem solve many issues, some of which include the following: • Planning and implementing school safety plans and training • New teacher evaluation measures • New student assessments • New graduation requirements • Higher accountability measures • Engaging your community in securing additional local funding It is certainly easy to get lost in the sense of urgency. As BASA President, I was recently invited to participate in Speaker Rosenberger’s Educational Policy Summit. Representative Bob Cupp, Representative Kirk Schuring, and House Finance Chairman Ryan Smith also participated in a conversation about early childhood education, K-12 academic standards, school choice, and college readiness. This forum provided an opportunity for educators and agencies to provide input on critical issues facing education including the new College Credit Plus, end of course exams, graduation requirements, teacher licensure concerns, and the impact of poverty on educational outcomes. I believe that many of our legislators truly want to hear from educators and their constituents on critical issues impacting student achievement. As superintendents, we have an obligation to educate our public and legislators on these educational issues. As we do this, it will be important to bring solutions to the problems. continued on page 5