WASDA NEWSMAY 2015

Welcome to WASDA’s May edition of our online Newsletter!

We are looking forward to seeing many of you next week at the WASDA Annual

Educational Conference at The Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake! WASDA was pleased to

work in collaboration with the Wisconsin School Public Relations Association (WSPRA) in

designing the content and structure of this 3-day conference. The networking and shared learning

promises to be very worthwhile.

An invoice for your 2015-2016 WASDA dues will be emailed to all Wisconsin

superintendents in May. You will also be able to pay your AASA dues and SAM-Online

membership from this invoice.

We are always looking for new ways to serve our members. If we can ever be of service to

you, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to serve you!

Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators4797 Hayes Road

Madison, WI 53704608/242-1090

608/242-1290 - FAXwww.wasda.org

MAY 2015 WASDA E-NEWS

WASDA President’s Message

WASDA Executive Director’s Report

WASDA Annual Educational Conference

Election of WASDA Board of Directors

WASDA New Superintendents Workshop V

Richard Magnuson Obituary

WASDA Phase II Workshop IV

New Building Administrators Program

New Superintendents

Implementing District-Level Change

Kenneth Cole Obituary

2015 WASDA Legal Seminar

The Capitol Report - John Forester, Dir. Of Gov. Relations

Superintendent Vacancies

WASDA Calendar of Events

www.wasda.org

WASDA

President’s Message

May 2015Kris Gilmore

Supt., D. C. Everest

“Future Ready”

As I talk with many of our colleagues across the state, one of the things we all have in common is our work in thedigital transformation happening in our schools. Schools and leaders are at different places along the journey ofimplementation ranging from technology in classrooms all the way to 1:1 district wide. As my own district hasembarked on the 1:1 transition, I have been amazed by the research, resources, planning and communication thatneeds to occur for successful implementation.

This implementation process may seem overwhelming and unmanageable, but there are numerous resourcesavailable to help all of us. The United States Department of Education is working to encourage and supportsuperintendents who take a leadership role in this transition to digital learning through the Future Ready Pledge. The Future Ready Pledge helps superintendents take into consideration the resources necessary to leverage themaximum impact on student learning, human capacity, digital materials, and device access to use bandwidth wiselyand effectively. Additionally, it provides a framework for achieving goals, implementation guidance, onlineresources, and regional summits. More information regarding the Future Ready Pledge is available at http://tech.ed.gov/futurereadypledge/

These resources help to align school districts with those who have been there and are willing to share best practices.As we prepare our kids to be future ready, I thought this video really sums up what we all envision.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlPL-qb-0W8

Kris Gilmore - kgilmore@dce.k12.wi.us

WASDA

Executive Director’s Message

May 2015

Dr. Jon Bales

“Leadership Opportunities”

Please click on the link below to hear a message from Jon.

CLICK HERE.

Please send your comments and questions to Jon - jbales@wasda.org.

WASDA 48th Annual Educational ConferencePlanned & Conducted with the Wisconsin School Public Relations Association

“Closing the Communication Gap: Building Relationships with Key Audiences in Your District”

May 6-8, 2015The Osthoff Resort - Elkhart Lake

We know that real continuous improvement in schools requires an education community that is inspired andengaged in focused and aligned work. We know that the success of public education in a community is tied to thecitizens’ and business leaders’ sense of connection and meaningful support of the schools goals and needs. Andwe know that policy and regulatory authorities must be fully engaged in understanding the needs of schools and theevidenced-based policies that will produce the type of improved outcomes we all seek for students. It follows thenthat the knowledge, skills and attributes school leaders need to be effective in nurturing engagement in these variousaudiences is central to meeting their responsibilities to the students and communities they serve. This conferenceis specifically designed to bring you national, state level and local leaders’ perspectives and expertise in strategiesand best practices to improve your capacity to be effective in your role. We hope you are able to join us. Thecomplete program and registration information can be found at www.wasda.org!

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ELECTION OF WASDA BOARD MEMBERS

PRESIDENT-ELECT: There will not be a ballot for the President-elect position. Since no member of theassociation came forth to be placed on the ballot opposite Todd Gray, Supt., Waukesha, there is no need for a ballotelection. Todd Gray will assume the office of President-elect of WASDA as of July 1, 2015.

The following WASDA members will be listed on the ballots for the election to be held in May:

CESA #2-East Steve Bloom - Palmyra-EagleCESA #2-West Barb Sramek - MarshallCESA #3 Bryce Bird - RiverdaleCESA #3 Kyle Luedtke - BentonCESA #10 Special election - nominees have until May 13*CESA #11 Ron Walsh-Elk Mound

*Special Election in CESA #10. Current WASDA Board representative for CESA #10, Cheryl Gullicksrud, willbe assuming the position at the Administrator for CESA #4. Therefore, a special election will be conducted forsomeone to serve the final year of her current three-year term. Members have until May 13 to submit theirnominations to the WASDA office.

Election ballots will be emailed to WASDA members in the above named CESAs on May 15 with a closing datefor the election of June 1. All of the elections are for a three-year term.

WASDA NEW SUPERINTENDENTS WORKSHOP VSponsored by

WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2015The Osthoff Resort - Elkhart Lake

PROGRAM

8:00 a.m. COFFEE & ROLLS

8:30 - 9:45 a.m. IMPORTANT LEGAL ISSUES IMPACTING NEW SUPERINTENDENTSAs much attention as the Budget Bill will be receiving through June, new superintendentsneed to be aware of other emerging legal issues, as well as be updated with regard to thelatest developments regarding well-known legal principles. Superintendents have a muchgreater role in governance then in previously held positions, and the legal principles thatunderscore that role will also be identified. Finally, working with legal counsel and the rolethat legal counsel can play in the success of a superintendent will also be explored. Attorney Michael Julka, Boardman & Clark LLP

9:45 - 10:00 a.m. BREAK

10:00 - 11:00 a.m. KEY SPRING AND SUMMER FINANCE VARIABLESThis session will highlight key summer timelines and finance variables such as state budgetimpacts, state aid considerations, end-of-year planning and cash flow. Come and learn howthese items may impact you and discuss how other districts are navigating through.Mike Clark & Debby Schufletowski, Baird's School Business Solution Team

11:00 – 12:00 a.m. THE BASICS OF FINANCING A FACILITY PROJECTLearn about the key data points related to municipal debt, including bond rating, bondstructure, interest rates and disclosures.Brian Brewer & Mike Clark, Baird's School Business Solution Team

12:00 - 12:45 p.m. LUNCH

1:00 - 1:15 p.m. HELPING YOU HELP YOUR PRINCIPALConsider AWSA your partner in supporting the school leadership in your district. Jim Lynchwill touch base with you on a few key aspects of this partnership.Jim Lynch - Executive Director, AWSA

1:15 - 1:30 p.m. How to take advantage of networking with peers and a review of Phase II of the NewSuperintendents ProgramJoe Heinzelman, WASDA Executive Coaching Program

1:30 - 3:30 p.m. SCHOOL FINANCE ESSENTIALSData drives the money! So, eventually, you’ll need to submit finance and student count datato the SFS Team. Whether you or another staff member will be completing the SFS reports,this session will introduce you to the various reporting requirements – what reports arecollected by the SFS Team, what the data is used for, when they are due, what type of districtdata will be needed, how it’s submitted, and common pitfalls and solutions. DPI School Finance Team

3:30 p.m. ADJOURN MEETING AND CONCLUDING COMMENTSJoe Heinzelman, Assistant Director, WASDA Executive Coaching Program

REGISTER AT WWW.WASDA.ORG!

RICHARD MAGNUSON

Richard W. Magnuson passed away Monday, April 13th, 2015 at TidewellHospice in Port Charlotte, FL. He was born October 10, 1941 in Duluth, MN.,graduated from Cathedral High, then served in the Navy. Dick earned a B.S. degreein Biology from U of MN, Duluth, his Masters and Specialist from U of WI, Madison,and doctorate from U of MN, Mpls.

He taught at Orchard Ridge Middle School in Madison, became a principaland then superintendent at St. Croix Central in Hammond/Roberts, WI. He went on tobecome the superintendent of the Sauk Prairie School District. Upon retiring, he took

a part-time superintendent job in Argyle, WI. Dick was a member of Kiwanis, Lions Club, and served on thelibrary board for St. Croix County. He also served on the board of Madison Technical College for severalyears and the board of directors for WI Area School District Administrators. He was the Apple ambassadorfor his computer club.

Dick loved the lake and boating, spending many wonderful times at their lake homes over the courseof 37 years. Dick & Judi lived in Port Charlotte, FL during the winter months and White Bear Lake, MN, inthe summers. Dick enjoyed golfing, photography and had a love for music.

Dick is survived by his wife of 49 years, Judi, daughter Kristin (Richard Burniston) London, England,son Steven (Sonja), Petaluma, CA., granddaughter Ingrid, London, England, sister Karen Shramm (Glenn),Duluth, MN., brothers and sisters in-law: Wm. Larson (Shirley) Des Moines, IA, David Falk (Vera),Rosemount, MN, Gus Johnson (Donna), Duluth, MN., Gary Torgerson, Virginia, MN, Philip Torgerson(Roberta),Duluth, MN, Carol Torgerson, Duluth, MN. and many nieces and nephews.

Those who were privileged to know Dick knew he was a man of high integrity, professional in his job,caring and considerate of others. He was loved by many.

There will be an Open House in Port Charlotte, April 26, to honor Dick and a Memorial Service atthe River Arts Center in Sauk Prairie, June 20th, at 1:00. Memorials can be made to Sauk Prairie Dollarsfor Scholars, P.O. Box 24, Prairie du Sac, WI 53578.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!2015 FALL SUPERINTENDENTS CONFERENCE

Presented by WASDAin cooperation with the

Wisconsin Department of Public InstructionTony Evers, State Superintendent

SEPTEMBER 16-18, 2015MADISON CONCOURSE HOTEL

WASDA PHASE IIFor Second-Year Superintendents

WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2015The Osthoff Resort - Elkhart Lake

PROGRAM

8:00 a.m. COFFEE & ROLLS

8:30 - 9:45 a.m. IMPORTANT LEGAL ISSUES IMPACTING NEW SUPERINTENDENTS(Together with the first-year superintendents.)As much attention as the Budget Bill will be receiving through June, new superintendentsneed to be aware of other emerging legal issues, as well as be updated with regard to thelatest developments regarding well-known legal principles. Superintendents have a muchgreater role in governance then in previously held positions, and the legal principles thatunderscore that role will also be identified. Finally, working with legal counsel and the rolethat legal counsel can play in the success of a superintendent will also be explored. Attorney Michael Julka, Boardman & Clark LLP

9:45 - 10:00 a.m. BREAK

10:00 - 11:30 a.m. OVERVIEW OF ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES IN PROVIDING OPEBBarry Forbes, WASB

11:30 – 12:00 a.m. REVIEW AND ANALYSIS OF CURRENT OPEB PRACTICES IN REPRESENTEDDISTRICTS

12:00 p.m. LUNCH

1:00 - 3:00 p.m. OPTION 1:Superintendent discussion and targeted learning in significant policy and practice areas forpublic school district operations and leadership.

1:00 - 3:00 p.m. OPTION 2:Optional participation in scheduled professional development sessions as part of theWASDA Annual Educational Conference.

3:00 p.m. ADJOURN MEETING AND CONCLUDING COMMENTSJoe Heinzelman, Assistant Director, WASDA Executive Coaching Program

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NEW BUILDING ADMINISTRATORS PROGRAMAugust program helps new building leaders get off to a great start!

Now is the time of year when there are many changes in school district administrative teams. As principals retireor move, you’ll be hiring a new group of first-time principals and APs to round out teams and bring new energy toschools and districts.

The research is clear: highly effective school leadership is essential to high performing schools. It is the mission ofAWSA’s New Building Administrators Program to provide the support necessary for first-year principals andassociate principals to succeed right from the start, and build a solid foundation from which they continue to expandleadership practice. As new members of your administrative team grow confident in their roles, the entire team willbe strengthened.

If your district has recently hired or plans to hire a new principal in the coming months, please encourage those newadministrators to look into the benefits of joining the New Building Administrators Program. Please contact JohnFischer (LINK TO JOHNS email johnfischer@awsa.org) at AWSA with the name and email address of your newadministrators so he can reach out to them with an invitation to the program.

Benefits of the Program:

New Building Administrators Conference SeriesThis five-session orientation and professional development series for first-year building administrators provides aframework for ensuring a successful school year and offers opportunities for ongoing support and networking. Thefirst session of the series will take place on August 4, 2015 in Madison. The conference series is designed anddelivered by a four-person faculty of outstanding practicing school and district leaders. Licensure SupportAWSA provides licensure support to individuals as they navigate the requirements of PI 34, including online toolsfor developing PDPs and PDP review. As one of the founding partners of Quality Educator Interactive (QEI),AWSA members can create, maintain, and share their Professional Development Plan (PDP) online. AWSAmembers may access the QEI for no additional cost.

Discounted AWSA MembershipBrand new principals, associate principals, and other school administrators may receive the services of the AWSAat a $100 discount on the first year of membership when they join as an Introductory Member.

Job-related counselingProfessional information & advice from AWSA's Executive Staff: Jim Lynch and Joe Schroeder. If you have a principal who is retiring, please email Robin Herring (link to robinherring@awsa.org).

NEW SUPERINTENDENTS

If you are leaving your district, please be sure to notify the WASDA office of the name of the new personwho will be assuming the superintendency. If the new person is either new to the superintendency or new to thestate of Wisconsin, be sure to have them hold the dates of August 5-6 for the first New SuperintendentsWorkshop for the 2015-16 school year, which will be held at the Holiday Inn-Stevens Point.

IMPLEMENTING DISTRICT-LEVEL CHANGEREQUIRES SOUND PLANNING, COACHING

By: Pamela Whyte, Key ClassroomsThis is a critical time in educational history, a time that will be remembered as transformational to our

schools and districts. The initiatives we are undertaking at this time seem to far outweigh those we haveimplemented in the past 20 to 30 years. Although the changes are transformational and we understand how muchthey will positively impact student learning, they are still quite difficult to implement.

The district administrator position represents the fulcrum among lawmakers, the community and schools.To that end, it is perhaps no surprise that this position is difficult to fill, almost impossible to retain and causes manyto look outside education for their next career move. It is my hope that we can dig deeper into how we implementchange rather than focusing on the incredible amount of change taking place. District administrators have very littlecontrol over the initiatives, laws and projects that must occur within their organizations. However, they have morecontrol over how the changes will take place and the journey their districts will take to follow rapidly evolving laws,regulations and expectations.

The following are three of the most powerful strategies that can help ensure the changes we undertakebecome transformational to student learning:Coaching

Coaching can take place among students, teachers and administrators, and it’s aimed at changing bothpractices and beliefs. Although peer coaching is very effective, subordinate coaching is equally so. Teacherscoaching students, older students coaching younger students, principals coaching teachers and superintendentscoaching principals are all excellent examples of the effectiveness of coaching within a school district. The impact of coaching depends on the willingness to be coached and the skills of the individual doing the coaching.The best way to encourage a willingness to be coached is to create an environment of meaningful coaching,questioning, reflection, risk taking and sharing. For coaches, it’s important to first learn what skills they need, howto gain them, how to practice them and, finally, how to constantly improve on them.Project Implementation

There are no effective business models that would allow for the sheer quantity of initiatives we need toimplement in education at this time. Thus, project implementation is critical to transformation.

Could you reflect on past efforts in your district and think, “I wish we would have done that differently?”Of course you could—that’s part of learning and growing as a community. However, there are many times whenwe just don’t have the time or resources to cohesively think through project implementation. Instead, districtadministrators spend time fixing what was not done the right way, including miscommunications and misseddeadlines.

Sometimes, after a year of implementation, there’s another year of ironing out the wrinkles required.Successful project implementation includes critical planning, detailed timelines and considering the aspects of who,what, where, when and how of each aspect of the project. Spending more time on planning will result in a moresuccessful journey overall.Professional Learning Communities

District administrators know that professional learning communities (PLCs) are based on research and bestpractices, and they are the unifying common thread in transformational schools. Whether they are fully functioningand focused on student learning or they are Wednesday afternoon meetings, most districts have some form of PLCoperating in their schools.

We can apply the characteristics of PLCs to all areas in a district, including funding, personnel, communityand, most importantly, student learning. Building a strong support system for PLCs and providing the right toolsand resources is the key to longevity with these efforts. Leveraging PLCs to implement various initiatives will createa journey of collaboration, shared learning and reciprocal accountability throughout an organization.

The bottom line is that it’s how things are done that will impact every staff member, student, parent andcommunity member of your district. Reflect with your leadership team on these three strategies to evaluate whereyour organization can improve and grow in meaningful ways.

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KENNETH COLE

Mount Horeb - Kenneth N. Cole, age 72, passed away on Saturday, April 25,2015, at his home in Mount Horeb. Ken was born on February 27, 1943, in Cincinnati,Ohio. He was the son of Kenneth L. and Minnie M. (Hamm) Cole. Ken grew up inMadison, Wisconsin, and received his degree in economics from the U.W.-Madison. Hewas employed by the State of Wisconsin Job Service for several years before leaving tojoin the Wisconsin Association of School Boards in 1968, retiring in 2005 after 37 yearswith the WASB, the last 17 as its executive director. During his career, Ken wasprivileged to work with school board members and school administrators throughout theState in advocating for the interests of Wisconsin's public school students. Ken enjoyed

reminiscing about his extensive travels and the people he met and with whom he worked. Ken married EliseBarnhart on August 31, 1991, and they were blessed with abiding love, laughter, and happiness. Ken is survivedby Elise and their five children--Kellie (Brian) Scott, Marcus (Collette) Cole, and Claire, Christian, andCameron Cole. He is also survived by grandchildren Michael Scott, Matthew Scott, and Bella Cole andadditionally by his sister Jeanne and brother-in-law Jerry Whitfield; sister-in-law and brother-in-law John andMary Ellen Feuling; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Eric and Jodi Barnhart, as well as by two nephews andfive nieces. Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Ken and Minnie Cole; and his father-in-law and mother-inlaw, Karl and Joette Barnhart. A gathering of family and friends will be held on Sunday, May 3, 2015, from10:00 a.m. until noon at Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Drive in Madison. A service celebrating Ken'slife will follow as will a luncheon, also at Cress. Ken's family wishes to thank Dr. David Hei, Dr. Mark Juckett,Family Nurse Practitioner Linda Eckstein, and Dr. Kristin Bradley of the Carbone Cancer Center for theirexpertise and determination in treating Ken's cancer so aggressively in pursuit of a sustained remission. We alsothank the wonderful nurses and nursing assistants at 1 S. Park Street, Meriter Hospital, and University Hospitaland Clinics for their care and compassion. Ken fought hard and endured so much for a chance at more time withhis family, which he cherished, and he will be in our grateful hearts forever. The family also wishes to thank theamazing nurses and nursing assistants of Agrace Hospice Care for making Ken as comfortable as possibleduring the last weeks of his life. Memorials may be directed to the UW Carbone Cancer Center (600 HighlandAvenue, Madison, WI 53792-6164); Agrace Hospice Care (5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711); orSecond Harvest Food Bank of Southern Wisconsin (2802 Dairy Drive, Madison, WI 53718).

2015 WASDA SUMMER LEGAL SEMINAR

Mark your calendars now and plan to attend WASDA’s Annual Summer Legal Seminar at the beautifulStone Harbor Resort in Sturgeon Bay. This year’s seminar will be held July 29-31.

WASDA members can call the Stone Harbor Resort now to reserve their room for the evenings of July 29and 30. Please call the resort directly at 1-920-746-0700. Please do not wait long to book your room as the resorttypically sells out for this event!

To assist in your planning, the seminar will kick-off with a reception at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 29,followed by dinner and the first presentation. The seminar will continue all day on Thursday and adjourn by noonon Friday, July 31. There will also be an informal golf outing at noon on Wednesday, July 29.

The program will be planned this spring. Registration information should be available online atwww.wasda.org in May.