The
Administrator
December 2019/ January 2020 Volume 45, No. 5
Where Are We on the Road to an
Adequacy Study?
VIEWPOINT, PAGE 1 3
PERSPECTIVE
5
SPOTLIGHT
The
Voice
7
8
ASKED
A-MUSINGS
for School Administrators
AAEA Administrator is a monthly 29The publication of the Arkansas Association
ngs of Educational Administrators (AAEA) for members of the AAEA. Center 2020 Assistant Principals of the Year Awards
EDITORIAL Managing Editor: Amy Manning-McNabb Editor In Chief: Michelle Briggs Address: 219 South Victory Little Rock, AR 72201 Phone: 501.372.1691
p. 12
Web Site: www.theaaea.org Follow us on: Facebook: Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators
In this Issue
Twitter: @The_AAEA Instagram: @aaea_littlerock
Executive Viewpoint - Dr. Richard Abernathy
1
President’s Perspective - Scott Spainhour
3
Administrator Spotlight - Pam Dean
5
Benefits Corner
7
Mike Mertens, Assistant Executive Director m.mertens@theaaea.org
Asked and Answered
7
Michelle Briggs, Director of Events & Operations m.briggs@theaaea.org
“A-Musings”
8
Robyn Keene, School Finance Consultant r.keene@theaaea.org
2020 Assistant Principal of the Year Awards
9
AASBO Board President Honored
9
Professional Development Opportunities
12
Administrator Job Openings
14
Salary Survey
15
Please contact us if we may provide assistance to you in any way.
STAFF Dr. Richard Abernathy, Executive Director r.abernathy@theaaea.org
Marty Smith, Member Relations Manager m.smith@theaaea.org Karen Dean, Business Manager k.dean@theaaea.org Amy Manning-McNabb, Communications Manager a.mcnabb@theaaea.org Christy Dodds, Business Development Manager c.dodds@theaaea.org Madison Greene, Administrative Specialist m.greene@theaaea.org
2020 AACIA Conference p. 12 Your Association Staff Administrator December 2019/January 2020
2019-2020 AAEA CORPORATE SPONSORS PRESTIGIOUS
2019-2020 AAEA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
American Fidelity Assurance Co. Educational Benefits, Inc. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Lifetouch National School Studios, Inc. Pro Benefits Group, Inc. Renaissance Learning, Inc. Scholastic Education
Scott Spainhour AAEA President
Debbie Atkinson AAEA Secretary/Treasurer
Superintendent, Greenbrier
Principal, Bergman
Roger Ried AAEA President-Elect
Shawn Higginbotham AAEA Past President
DISTINGUISHED
Principal, Southside
Superintendent, Lake Hamilton
Benny Weston AASA President Superintendent, Mena
Pharis Smith AAESP President Jackson County
Robert Poole AASA President-Elect
Stacey DeFoor AAESP President-Elect
Imagine Learning
DIAMOND AETN Apple Apptegy ClassWallet Classworks Edgenuity Energy Systems Group Entegrity Energy Partners, LLC ESS Excel Energy Group, Inc. First Security Beardsley Forecast5 Analytics PowerSchool Smart Data Dashboard Stephens, Inc. Winsor Learning
PLATINUM AAMSCO Baldwin & Shell Construction Caddell Construction Co. (DE), LLC C.R. Crawford Construction, LLC Legacy Construction Management Nabholz Northwest Evaluation Association - NWEA TRANE US, Inc. University of Arkansas: Department of Curriculum & Instruction
GOLD Cognia Crow Construction Generation Ready, Inc. Kinco Constructors, LLC Middleton, Inc. Red Comet
SILVER ACE Sports Architecture Plus, Inc. French Architects, PA Hight-Jackson Associates, PA SEAS Virco, Inc. Please consider doing business with AAEA Corporate Sponsors when appropriate for your school/district. Their support of the AAEA is vital for us to serve you in your work.
Superintendent, Prescott Jon Collins AASA Secretary
Principal, Conway Lori Griffin AAESP Past President
Superintendent, West Memphis Principal, Fort Smith Chad Jordan AASSP President
David Maxwell AASSP President-Elect
Assistant Principal, Green County Tech
Principal, Mena
Brad Ray, AASSP Past President
Barbara Garner ArkASPA President
Assistant Principal, Fort Smith
Assistant Superintendent, Crossett
Dr. Joe Rollins AACTEA President
Paul Jenkins AAFC President
Director of Workforce Development, NW AR ESC
District Test Coordinator & ASCIP Coordinator, Blytheville
Charles Warren AASBO President
Dr. Sherrie Bayles AASEA President
Chief Financial Officer, Fort Smith
Special Education Supervisor, Springdale
Aaron Randolph AAGEA President
Dr. Stephanie Nehus AACIA President
Director of Gifted Programs/ Federal Programs, Cabot
Superintendent, Hot Springs
Jeff Wasem AAMLA President
Bill Tietz ASPMA President
Principal, Bentonville
Assistant Superintendent Watson Chapel
Dr. Richard Abernathy Executive Director Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators
Administrator December 2019/January 2020
EXECUTIVE
Viewpoint Adequacy Study: Are We There Yet?
Dr. Richard Abernathy AAEA Executive Director
We seem to be getting closer to having a study of educational issues approved by the legislature. Hopefully before the Christmas break the proposal will be approved, and we will have a fresh look at education adequacy in Arkansas. I have had several administrators ask me why there was such push back from some legislators for conducting a study. Below are a few thoughts on why there is pushback. Every legislator I have visited with h a s a g re e d t h a t t h e re a re concerns with school funding. Concerns range from lack of funding to distribution of the current funding for schools. However, everyone knows that funding of schools cannot just be an open check book. So, let’s look at some of our concerns • The increase in teacher salary and the minimum wage i n c re a s e w i l l p l a c e s o m e districts in a financial hardship. This is recognized by our policy leaders and should be dealt
with before districts have to cut services to kids. Fortunately, the Governor placed $60M in this area to help districts with the teacher salary increase. However, this funding stream sunsets in three years. The minimum wage was increased by our voters in Arkansas; however, no additional funds w e re p ro v i d e d t o s c h o o l districts to meet this new requirement. Some districts who struggle financially have been hit twice by these two new requirements. • The Enhance Student Achievement (ESA) legislation will change the use of our poverty funds for students. The use of dollars has expanded over time with legislative intent to fund various programs they felt would be beneficial but no other source of revenue was available. Example, school safety – This is very important to our students, parents and schools. However, no money was placed in the matrix Continued on next page
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Administrator December 2019/January 2020
Executive Viewpoint, continued
funding model for this when it was established over 15 years ago. So, policy makers allow districts to use ESA (formally NSL) funds to hire school resources officers. This is just one example of many that we could use. The rules for ESA funds sunsets on June 2022. It is very unclear about the future allowable expenditures of these dollars, but the legislature should come up with a solution in the 2021 legislative session. It would be great if we had the latest available research to help guide legislators in this policy making process. • There are things in the funding matrix that we know are wrong but politically we have not been able to change for a variety of reasons. An example of this would be transportation. The original Picus Odden Associates Report said that transportation would be an area that should be pulled out of the per student funding and placed in another category. The legislative adequacy committee in 2009 recommended pulling part of the dollars out to set aside in a special category, but politically could not gather enough votes during the legislative session. Then the legislators did create an enhanced transportation category and have slowly increased those dollars. But, the problem still exists that some schools have to spend more money than the matrix allows for transportation, and other districts do not spend the money given to them per student for transportation. It isn’t rocket science. If I have to spend more for transportation than funded, then I have to pull those dollars from somewhere else… maybe teacher salaries? Again, this is just one example. • There are many legislators who have expressed a concern about a new study and the potential increase in recommended funding. I certainly understand that line of thinking as some schools are not adequately funded now to take care of our students. Districts do not have the resources or capacity to deal with the significant increase in
mental health issues facing our kids and staff. I consistently hear from administrators about the mental health issues and behavioral issues they face every day even in our elementary schools. We have to deal with this issue both from a policy perspective as well as a research perspective. Legislators have also expressed a concern about what would happen if recommendations came back and they didn’t adopt all of them. Would not approving all the recommendations set the state up for a potential lawsuit? My response is that the state has never accepted all the researched based recommendations. An example of this is the research has consistently recommended a 1:15 teacher student ratio in kindergarten. There are many other examples where research says what is needed for move student achievement for and policy makers have not adopted. • Administrators have also expressed a concern about opening a new adequacy study and rightfully so. There may be some things that are currently funded that could be reduced. An example would be digital learning. Does it really take as much money to fund a digital learning course compared to a course taught in a classroom? There are other areas where administrators should be paying attention to if a study is actually conducted. The bottom line is that we need a new study to determine what the research says about student achievement and the funding needed to meet those needs. Without an unbiased study, we will continue to have funding issues as well as needs of student not addressed. Without the research to back up the study then we are just all guessing at solutions. So, what is it going to be….a researchedbased study or continuing to guess at what magical program will save our kids? We should know in a few days.
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Administrator December 2019/January 2020
PRESIDENT’S
Perspective
Arkansas Districts and Schools Serving Their Communities All the Year
“Tis the season” for giving back, serving others, and spreading the Christmas spirit, but as we wrap up the holidays, let’s take time to remember the impact that districts across our great state are making by giving back to their communities all through the year. Whether it be for project based learning, community serving learning, or teaching social emotional competencies in real-life situations, our educators are facilitating experiences for Arkansas students to help them learn the true meaning and impact of “giving back.”
Scott Spainhour AAEA Board President Superintendent Greenbrier School District
Prescott High School partnered with its school board and many community entities such as the Food Share Bank, Hillside Nursing Home, Nevada County Chamber of Commerce, and the Nevada County Extension Office as partners in supporting students who are seeking projects to improve the Prescott Community. PHS is striving to promote civic responsibilities and additional growth opportunities in social skills, behavioral skills, or both.
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Administrator December 2019/January 2020
President’s Perspective continued
Far north at Marshall Elementary School, kindergarten through fourth grade students in the Searcy County School District, along with educators and community members, have established the Marshall School & Community Garden, which recently was recognized at the state capitol for the “Best Community Collaboration School Garden” by Farm Credit of Western Arkansas. Cooking stir-fried broccoli, raising free-range chickens, and dissecting garden soil are all parts of a year in the life of a Marshall Elementary student through the garden. The nine raised garden beds and year-round high tunnel provide opportunities for student service-learning year-round. The garden was dreamed up by two teachers, but it has become a community-wide point of pride. Initial donations were sourced from a local lumber company, the nearby City of Leslie, home improvement stores, and several individuals. Parolees from the Searcy County Jail were recruited to build the garden beds, and this gave several of them a much-needed connection to their child’s school. Children even today tell proudly how their father helped to build this garden. A local women’s recovery ministry has also spent time caring for the garden in the summer. MES’ after-school Garden Club is the single largest extracurricular activity on campus, with more than 50 students enrolled each semester. 8-10 families volunteer alongside school staff each season, and others stop by to see what is happening! During the summer, some of the produce is donated to local families in need via the Summer Meals Feeding Program at the Civic Center. Other produce is sold as a fundraiser at the local farmer’s market, which has long valued the contributions of our garden. Beginning this school year, we hired a permanent garden educator for growing & programming. She has collaborated with our county extension agent to host a 4-H summer day camp in the garden, at a time when students are otherwise away from campus. This has all led to our recent recognition as the AR Community Collaboration Garden of the Year for 2019! Moving to Northwest Arkansas to take a look at Creekside Middle School, community spirit is literally “driven” by the school’s “Summer Book Bus,” a dream come true for local librarians. Dozens of the school and district faculty jumped in to make a summer bookmobile dream a reality. Six to ten teachers are volunteering each week throughout the summer to ensure their students have books in their hands during the long break. Donations of books are taken from the school community as yet another simple but specific way to help Creekside give back to Bentonville. Hundreds if not thousands of more examples can be shared from every region of the state. Our educators are setting the standard for not only their students, but also their communities, as they model serving others. I encourage you to find and share these stories of service in your own schools and districts. 4
Administrator December 2019/January 2020
SP
T
Light
O
n the court is where Pam Dean realized that she wanted to go into a profession where she could directly affect the lives of people. At first, healthcare seemed a good option. “I wanted to go into the medical field until I realized the people who made the biggest impact on my life,” she said. “The people who impacted me the most, other than my mother, were my basketball, volleyball, and softball coaches growing up in Marion and West Memphis, AR. I wanted to do the same for others, especially those who came form single parent homes.”
“Take it one day at a time. It’s about the journey not the destination.” Pam Dean, principal at Park Avenue Elementary in the Stuttgart School District, says it was the love of the game that led her to a career in education.
In 2001, she became a physical education and health teacher and a girls’ basketball and softball in the Stuttgart School District. “Other administrators might be surprised that I used to be a softball and basketball coach,” Pam states. In 2009, she became the assistant principal at Park Avenue Elementary and then took on the mantle of principal in 2013. Throughout her career, she has completed three years of Master Principal training with the Arkansas Leadership Academy, served as the Zone Director for the Arkansas Association of Elementary School Principals (AAESP), and was a Cohort 3 Professional Learning Communities grant recipient. “I want to complete the Cohort 3 of the PLC grant, earn a master principal designation, and continue to impact education at Park Avenue Elementary,” Pam said. Going into a career in education can be exciting but daunting. “Take it one day at a time. It's about the journey not the destination,” she advises. “This is my sixth year as a principal, and I am just beginning to feel like we are doing the right work through our partnership with Solution Tree.” Pam looks forward to her legacy as a principal and a mother and hopes to leave good memories in her wake. “ I want to be remembered how I loved my family and that I made an impact on education at Park Elementary and truly cared about our students and staff.” 5
Administrator December 2019/January 2020
Continued on next page
Q A &
What is your favorite thing about your job? With Pam Dean
“Seeing the impact we have with our students. ”
What major changes have you seen in education during your career? All of the different mandates (school health index, body mass index screening, school report cards, school improvement plans) and student mental health What is the best advice you have ever received? Don’t worry about being right, just be consistent. Matt DeVan, Solution Tree PLC coach. What is the most daring thing you’ve done? I’m not a big fan of heights, so I would say riding in my brother’s-in-law airplane or riding the Mummy Ride at Universal Studios in Orlando. What’s something that amazes you? How time flies…. Days are long but the years are short. What have you done that you are most proud of? Family, especially my two daughters Paige Dean, 13 years old, 8th grade student at Stuttgart Junior High School; Ali Dean, 9 years old, 3rd grade student at Park Avenue Elementary; and Russ Dean, husband. He is a farmer and an awesome father to our two girls. What do you enjoy doing during your time off? Spending time with my family, traveling, and junking (redoing something old) What is one of the things on your “Bucket List?” Become a PLC model school, become a designated principal with the Arkansas Leadership Academy, and retire well so I can travel all over the United States If you weren’t in your current position, what would you be doing? Coaching girls’ basketball Where do you see yourself in five years? Continuing to work in the Professional Learning Communities and completing the Master Principal Designation 6
Administrator December 2019/January 2020
CORNER
B E N E F I T S
Asked
& Pre-Tax vs. Post Tax Deductions: What’s the Difference?
Many of you may have heard your employer’s payroll department or someone mention pre and post-tax benefits. You may have even seen this on your paycheck but do you really understand the difference between the two? Let’s discuss the basics.
Pre-tax deductions are withheld from
your wages before they are taxed. Pretty simple, right? By reducing the taxable amount of your wages, you net more of your paycheck. On the other hand, post-tax deductions are withheld after your wages are taxed. Post-tax deductions, therefore, have no positive effect on your taxable income. Pre-tax deductions: Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Some Voluntary Benefits (Cancer, Accident, Hospital), Life Insurance (up to $50k in Arkansas) Post-tax deductions: Disability Insurance, Life Insurance, Critical Illness Coverage, Garnishments, Dues, Christmas and other employer specific funds Drawbacks to pre-tax deductions? In some cases, an employee, who nets more of their paycheck because of pre-taxed deductions, could owe taxes on the withheld money in the future. For example, if you were to pre-tax $50k of your life insurance, your beneficiary would have to pay taxes on the $50k death benefit. That being said, you may consider post-taxing the permanent life insurance deduction, if you want your beneficiary to receive the full amount of death benefit. If you have questions about your deduction options, please reach out to your payroll department or Benefit Consultant. Column Provided by: Shane Pennington, Regional Sales Executive, Educational Benefits, Inc.
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Administrator December 2019/January 2020
Answered
Mike Mertens, AAEA Assistant Executive Director
A common question this time of the year deals with staff bonuses. This is a perfect example of needing to know the regulations before implementing a transaction that, on the surface, appears to be fairly straightforward. 6-20-412 is the section of the law that deals with bonuses, otherwise known as "nonrecurring salary payments." (a) A school district in this state may pay licensed personnel a nonrecurring salary payment from revenues not considered to be recurring sources of revenue. (b) A nonrecurring salary payment under this section shall not increase the base salary of the recipient for purposes of calculation of future salary requirements. (c) A nonrecurring salary payment under the provisions of this section shall be divided equally among licensed personnel employed by the school district at the time approved by the board of directors of the school district unless the board of directors and a majority of the licensed personnel agree to a different distribution. (d) A payment to a targeted educator made in the form of a supplement as an addendum to a contract in fulfilling this section, and § 6-5-307(a) shall not be considered a nonrecurring salary payment under this section. In addition, it is important to know that "equally" means an equal dollar amount, not an equal percentage, not prorated based on the days contracted or worked, and not prorated based on full-time or part-time status. Lastly, these regulations apply to certified staff. Bonuses for classified employees are at the discretion of the district.
If you have questions for Mike, email them to a.mcnabb@theaaea.org.
A-MUSINGS:
The One to Read When You Need Encouragement
Contributor: Jeff Wasem, Principal Creekside Middle School Bentonville School District If you have an amusing, insightful, or unusual story about your experience as an educator or administrator that you’d like to share for our “A-Musings” column, email Amy Manning-McNabb, Communications Manager, at a.mcnabb@theaaea.org.
G
eneration Changers,
One of the best parts of leadership is being able to see the entire landscape of the school. One of the most challenging parts of leadership is being able to see the entire landscape of the school. My heart is heavy right now for many of you who are going through some very tough circumstances with family - maybe there is a financial need that cannot be filled, or a new diagnosis was given to you or someone you love, or you are just battling things from your past you just cannot seem to ever shake completely. When you layer these things with the needs of our amazing students, it makes for an energy tank that can empty quickly. There is not as much time for rest as you desire - the next appointment, the next practice, the next phone call. It can all become a lot to balance. Why do these things present in our lives? Honestly, my faith tells me it is because every situation, good or bad, is to glorify a Greater Good. You may not believe what I believe, and I would never pressure anyone into that - those are personal decisions for you to make. I do believe, regardless of your faith, that how we respond to these circumstances, makes us who we are. We can control, somewhat, the response. I am not saying it is simple. It's not. Over the course of the past 2 years, we, as a school and a district, have invested a lot of resources into the social and emotional support of our kiddos. I paused this morning while I was reading and asked - does our staff feel that same social and emotional support? They are the ones who are leading these students in the classroom.
This is not a pitch for an extra program, an invitation to another meeting, or any type of to do list check off. Actually, I believe it is much more important. It is awareness. How is your balance? You may be in a season that is asking a lot of you. You may be battling one of the examples presented above. Or, you may be awesome - loving life - living the dream. How would you define your season today? Wherever you believe you are I want you to know that you are loved, you matter, each day does mean something, you have support here, and your colleagues want you to reach out if you need us.
NEW WEBSITE. NEW APP. STILL THE
Voice
FOR SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS.
Click here to take a tour of the AAEA App! 8
Administrator December 2019/January 2020
Congratulations 2020 Assistant Principals of the Year! Cited as a staunch advocate for both teachers and students, Jimmy C. King, Assistant Principal at L.M. Goza Middle School in Arkadelphia, has been named the 2020 Arkansas Association of Middle Level Administrators (AAMLA) I n re c o g n i t i o n o f t h e important role of middle level school principals, the award is given to a secondary school assistant principal who exemplifies quality leadership according to their colleagues and/or people throughout their community. Dr. Richard Abernathy (left), AAEA Executive Director, presented Jimmy King (right) with the AAMLA 2020 Assistant Principal of the Year at Goza Middle School on November 19.
"Mr. King excels in school leadership by relating effectively to students, faculty, parents, and fellow administrators," said Cheryl Merk, principal, L.M. Goza Middle School. King, who has served as assistant principal at the middle school since 2000, admits he has high expectations for not only students but their parents as well. "To help ensure that all students can succeed and achieve at high levels, as school leaders, we need to make all policy and decisions based on the belief that every child can and will achieve at high levels," he said. King is also a member of the Arkansas Safe Schools Association (ASSA) and was awarded their Administrator of the Year Award in 2016. King will now be nominated for the the 2020 National Outstanding Assistant Principal of the Year Award by the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP). NAESP will share the winning assistant principal's best practices with other principals in the nation.
Praised for his commitment to the individual success of all students, school safety, a n d l i t e r a c y, D o n Eichenberger, assistant principal at Springdale High School in the Springdale School District, has been honored with the Arkansas Association of Secondary School Principals (AASSP) 2020 Assistant Principal of the Year Award.
(Left t.o right) Dr. Richard Abernathy, A A E A E x e c u t i v e D i r e c t o r, D o n Eicheberger, and Dr. Jim Rollins, Superintendent, Springdale School District. Dr. Aber nathy presented Eichenberger with the AASSP award on November 20
The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) National Assistant Principal of the Year program annually recognizes outstanding middle level and high school assistant principals who have succeeded in providing high quality learning opportunities for students. From state winners, three finalists are named as contenders for the National Assistant Principal of the Year award. "I stress to my staff, my teachers, and my students that the most important thing we have to offer students is the ability to read and the ability to think and reason at a high level," Eichenberger said. He has served in the Springdale School District for 29 years. Eichenberger is committed to school safety. "I work directly with the FBI and Department of Homeland Security Northwest Arkansas Gang Task Force to help fight the negative and destructive effects of gang and gang-related activities that affect my students,” he said. Currently, Eichenberger serves as supervisor on Homeless Families in Transition, a community-based program.”Mr. Eichenberger also serves as our homeless liaison, continually striving to meet students' basic needs as well as socialemotional needs,” said a colleague.
AASBO Board President Honored with International School Business Official Award The Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) is pleased to announce that Charles West Warren, SFO, Chief Financial Officer, Fort Smith School District, Fort Smith, AR, has earned the Certified Administrator of School Finance and Operations® (SFO®). Charles Warren, CFO Fort Smith School District
School business professionals who earn the SFO certification have proven that they have the required knowledge, expertise, and fiscal credibility to lead
9 Administrator December 2019/January 2020
their school district and effectively manage the district’s finances. The SFO designation is granted to highly qualified school business professionals who fulfill multiple requirements, including demonstrating certification eligibility (through work experience and education); passing a comprehensive two-part exam that tests competency in accounting and school business management topics; and adhering to the ASBO International Certification Code of Conduct.
Professional Development
2020 C A L E N D A R 1/2020 Superintendent Symposium — January 15-16, 2020, DoubleTree Hotel, Little Rock
07/2020
CASBO Classes — July 7-8, 2020, AETN, Conway
08/2020
AACIA Conference — January, 29, 2020, Hot Springs Convention Conference Assistant Principal's Conference — January 30, 2020, University of Central Arkansas, Conway
AAEA Summer Conference — August 3-5, 2020, Marriott Hotel and Statehouse Convention Center, Little Rock
02/2020 ArkASPA Conference — February 18, 2020, Wyndham Riverfront, North Little Rock
03/2020 AASBO Conference — March 3-5, 2020, Hot Springs Convention Center
04/2020
09/2020 ArkASPA HR Bootcamp — September 8, 2020, Wyndham Riverfront, North Little Rock AAFC Fall Conference — September 23-25, 2020, Hot Springs Convention Center
10/2020
ASPMA Classes — April 2, 2020, AETN. Conway
ASPMA Conference & Certification Classes — October 5-7, 2020, Hot Springs Convention Center
CASBO Classes — April 16-17, 2020, Crowne Plaza, Little Rock
AAGEA Conference — October 22-23, 2020, Benton Event Center
05/2020 AAFC Spring Conference — May 6-8, 2020 Hot Springs Convention Center
AAEA Fall Conference — October 29, 2020, DoubleTree Hotel, Little Rock.
06/2020
Bill Daggett Cohort Conference — June 1, 2020, DoubleTree Hotel, Little Rock
To see a schedule of more AAEA events, go to theaaea.org and click on “Calendar.”
School Law Conference — June 2, 2020, DoubleTree Hotel, Little Rock AASEA Special Education Conference — June 8-9, 2020, Holiday Inn Airport, Little Rock 10
Administrator December 2019/January 2020
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER! AGENDA WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15 8:15 – 11:15
High Reliability Schools – Dr. Cameron Rains, Marzano Resources NOTE: This pre-conference session is designed for first year Superintendents & Mentors, but is open to anyone attending the Symposium, based on space availability.
11:45
Opening Lunch Session Welcome, Introductions, Recognitions
12:30 – 1:30
I’m Strong If You’re Strong: Leadership by Developing the Gifts of Your People and Shaping a Winning Culture – Dr. Kevin Elko, Keynote Speaker
1:30
Break
1:45 – 2:45
DESE Update – Secretary Johnny Key
2:45
Break
3:00 – 4:00
Dark Store Theory & Other Key Topics – Panel of Superintendents & Attorneys
4:00
Adjourn
THURSDAY, JANUARY 16 7:45
Breakfast Session Welcome, Introductions
8:15 – 9:15
AASA National Level Issues – Chris Rogers, AASA Policy Analyst
9:15 – 9:30
Break
9:30 — 10:30
Adequacy Committee Update from Legislators
10:30 — 10:45
Break
10:45 – 11:15
Governor Asa Hutchinson
11:15
Closing Remarks / Adjourn
Dr. Kevin Elko, Keynote Speaker Presentation: I’m Strong If You're Strong: Leadership By Developing The Gifts of Your People and Shaping A Winning Culture Dr. Elko received his Bachelors in Biology Education and Coaching from California University of Pennsylvania. He then went on to West Virginia University where he received two Masters and a Doctorate and was later inducted into West Virginia University Hall of Fame. He went on to intern at the United States Olympic Committee in Colorado Springs. In Sports, he has consulted with various successful NFL teams. In college sports, Dr. Elko has worked with seven BCS National Championship Football Teams. In the business world, Dr. Elko focuses on helping organizations in the areas of Leadership, Goal Setting, and various other motivational topics. His corporate clients have included ING, Tyson Foods, Abbott Labs, LPL Financial, The Hartford, Genworth, Jackson National Life, Pioneer Investments, Morgan Stanley, Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, and Sun Life. Dr. Elko is the author of four books, Nerves of Steel, The Pep Talk, True Greatness: Mastering the Inner Game of Business Success and Touchdown: Achieving Your Greatness on the Playing Field of Business and Life.
11 Administrator December 2019/January 2020
THOMAS R. GUSKEY, P.h.D. KEYNOTE SPEAKER Dr. Thomas Guskey is a Senior Research Scholar in the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Louisville and Professor Emeritus in the College of Education at the University of Kentucky. A graduate of the University of Chicago, he began his career in education as a middle school teacher, served as an administrator in the Chicago Public Schools, and was the first director of the Center for the Improvement of Teaching and Learning, a national research center. His articles have appeared in prominent research journals including the American Educational Research Journal, Educational Researcher, and Review of Educational Research, as well as practitioner publications such as Education Week, Educational Leadership, Phi Delta Kappan, and The Learning Professional, and School Administrator. In recognition of his contributions, Dr. Guskey was named a Fellow in the American Educational Research Association, the Association’s highest honor.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER AND TO READ LODGING INFORMATION.
AGENDA 8:00 - 8:45
Registration
8:45 - 9:00
Welcome & AACIA General Business Meeting
9:00 - 3:00
Effective Strategies for Grading and Reporting Student Learning Dr. Thomas R. Guskey, Keynote Speaker
Registration: $155 person. $10 per person discount for groups of 5 or more from the same school/district. NOTE: You must enter the code "AACIA2020" in the promo code field during the billing portion of the registration process to receive the discount. Onsite Registration Fee: $205, no group discount allowed during onsite registration.
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Administrator December 2019/January 2020
Agenda:
• • • • • • • • • •
8:30 - 9:00 Registration 9:00 – 9:15 Welcome 9:15 - 10:00 Opening Session: Behavior Management in Tier 1 and Tier Team Roles - Rocci Malone & Dr. Michael D. Watson 10:00 - 10:15 Break 10:15 - 11:30 Behavior Management, continued 11:00 - 1:00 Lunch on Your Own 1:00 - 2:00 Breakout Session 1: Opioid Addiction - Attorney General Leslie Rutledge 2:00 - 2:15 Break 2:15 – 3:00 Breakout Session 2 - Dayna Lewis 3:00 - 3:30 Issues Relevant for Building Administrators - Principal Panel
Registration Fees Online Registration: $100 AAEA Member/$120 Non-Member Onsite Registration: $125 AAEA Member/$145 Non-Member Deadline for Registration: January 24, 2020 Lodging: Hilton Garden Inn 805 Amity Road Conway, AR 72032 Please call (501) 329-1444 to make your reservation. Please mention Assistant Principal's Conference. $104 Single/Double Deadline for Reservation: January 8, 2020 Contact: Marty Smith AAEA Member Relations Manager ml.smith@theaaea.org
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Administrator December 2019/January 2020
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The AAEA Job Board is a calendar-year subscription that assists districts with the ever-increasing challenge of recruiting quality staff. It is a significant resource for educators, both in-state and out-of-state, seeking employment in Arkansas’ schools.
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Over 165 school districts are participating in the program in 2019, which has been extremely helpful to schools and educators over the years. The site is used yearround and is accessed extensively during the second semester. It is not unusual to see over 400 jobs posted on the Job Board at one time. With an account, school districts may post unlimited job vacancies throughout the year. Subscription renewals will be sent to superintendents this fall regarding 2020 renewal. To subscribe (by district) or to post job openings, contact Marty Smith, Member Relations Manager, at m.smith@theaaea.org or at 501-372-1691.
OPENINGS District Name
Position
Link
Atkins School District
Assistant Technology Coordinator
More Information
Bay School District
Superintendent
More Information
Dawson Education Service Cooperative
HIPPY Coordinator
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Harrisburg School District
Superintendent
More Information
Heber Springs School District
Superintendent
More Information
Jasper School District
Superintendent
More Information
Jonesboro School District
Special Education Director
More Information
Midland School District
Superintendent
More Information
Mineral Springs School District
Interim Superintendent
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North Little Rock School District
Elementary Principal
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North Little Rock School District
More Information
Pine Bluff School District
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Director of Legal Affairs
Riverview School District
Superintendent
More Information
Trumann School District
Superintendent
More Information
More Information
https://arkansas.schoolspring.com/
VISIT OUR JOB SITE FOR MORE 14
Administrator December 2019/January 2020
Salary Survey
2019
Average Salaries of Arkansas School Administrators
15
School Year
Superintendent
High School Principal
Elementary Principal
1993-94
53,775
43,648
41,584
1994-95
55,626
44,755
43,131
1995-96
57,514
46,450
44,725
1996-97
60,438
48,402
46,654
1997-98
61,444
49,603
47,826
1998-99
63,523
51,136
49,353
1999-00
66,626
53,012
51,172
2000-01
69,827
55,248
53,567
2001-02
72,647
57,808
56,079
2002-03
75,067
59,525
57,817
2003-04
77,529
61,536
59,764
2004-05
87,180
67,869
65,407
2005-06
89,755
69,117
67,147
2006-07
94,514
70,622
65,095
2007-08
96,871
71,601
66,148
2008-09
98,794
74,178
72,187
2009-10
99,734
74,251
72,940
2010-11
102,783
75,120
73,904
2011-12
104,477
75,378
74,704
2012-13
106,502
76,205
75,940
2013-14
107,910
78,049
76,555
2014-15
109,499
78,087
76,370
2015-16
111,984
79,892
78,600
2016-17
113,712
81,303
80,122
2017-18
115,635
82,190
80,570
2018-19
116,668
83,463
81,146
2019-20
119,041
84,238
82,542
Administrator December 2019/January 2020
A total of 225 school districts participated in the annual AAEA survey of salaries for school administrators and classroom teachers for the 2019-20 school year. The survey was conducted September through December. Data from 2018-19 is used for those districts that did not respond to AAEA’s request for current year data. The average salaries for various categories of state school administrators and classroom teachers, grouped by school district size, are shown in the table on page 17. National salary data comes from two sources: AASA (the School Superintendents Association) and NEA (National Education Association). AASA’s data on superintendent and principal salaries represent a small sample of school districts nationwide.
Continued on next page
2019
Results Superintendents
Elementary Principals
•
Increased from $116,668 in 2018-19 to $119,041 this year.
•
2019-20 $82,542 compared to 2018-19 $81,146
•
National median for districts less than 2500 ADM - $128,000, districts 2500-10,000 ADM - $167,444 and for districts 10,000-25,000 ADM 204,000. Source: AASA Partial Survey of Districts Nationwide
•
National median for districts less than 2500 ADM -$87,323, districts 2500-10,000 ADM - $98,000, and for districts 10,000-25,000 ADM $100,000. Source: AASA Partial Survey of Districts Nationwide
High School Principals •
2019-20, $84,238, up from $83,463 a year ago.
•
National median for districts less than 2500 ADM -$93,000, districts 2500-10,000 ADM $115,000, and for districts 10,000-25,000 ADM $122,000. Source: AASA Partial Survey of Districts Nationwide
Classroom Teachers •
2019-20 $50,163 an increase over 2018-19 $49,616
•
National Average for 2017-18 $60,477. Estimated National average for 2018-19 $61,730. (Source: NEA)
Additional Information for 2019-2020 AAEA has expanded the survey over the past several years to include additional categories. Here is the additional information gathered representing statewide averages. •
Bus Driver — Daily beginning rate of pay: $48.70
•
Bus Driver — Hourly beginning rate of pay: $16.21
•
Technology Coordinators — Average salary: $52,460.00
•
Federal Coordinators — Average salary: $77,804.00
•
Substitute Teachers — Beginning daily rate of pay: $72.87
•
80% of districts responding to the survey reported they outsourced substitute teacher services.
•
21% of districts responding to the survey reported they outsourced cafeteria services.
•
27% of districts responding to the survey reported they outsourced at least a portion of custodial services.
•
35% of districts responding to the survey reported they provided some kind of incentive for good perfect Continued on next page attendance. 16
Administrator December 2019/January 2020
2019
Results Enrollment
Superintendent
Deputy/Asst. Superintendent
Business Manager
High School Principal
Asst. HS Principal
Above 4,000
197,074
124,281
105,558
108,500
86,623
3,000-3,999
159,814
109,463
74,836
96,921
80,429
2,000-2,999
135,861
98,964
63,269
88,677
75,792
1,000-1,999
115,517
88,109
53,956
80,207
70,472
500-999
101,852
79,970
47,514
76,153
63,822
Below 500
93,625
-0-
43,587
72,535
57,539
State Average
119,041
107,802
56,088
84,238
79,829 *Limited Data
Enrollment
Jr. HIgh/ MIddle Principal
Elementary
Asst. Elem.
Special Ed.
Principal
Principal
Supervisor
Classroom Teacher
Above 4,000
98,164
91,303
75,388
97,576
55,838
3,000-3,999
87,560
84,688
70,719
85,690
49,385
2,000-2,999
84,239
79,166
65,259
78,194
49,000
1,000-1,999
79,398
75,395
63,917
71,736
45,648
500-999
75,128
73,584
63,916
64,899
43,310
Below 500
NA*
70,379
NA*
60,814
41,154
State Average
87,035
82,542
71,572
76,473
50,163
State salaries compiled by AAEA research - December 2019
17
Administrator December 2019/January 2020
*Limited Data
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