Learn from your peers about a multitude of issues facing school directors and administrators. Choose from 29 sessions offered exclusively Wednesday and Thursday.
Legislative Update (repeats on Thursday, 1-2:15 p.m.)
Hear up-to-date information from the General Assembly and State Board of Education regarding issues of interest to board members.
Presenters: Timothy Allwein, assistant executive director for Governmental & Member Relations; Beth Winters, director of legislative services; Cynthia Eckerd, legislative information director; and Karen Devine, network operations director – all of PSBA
Why PDS? Making the Case for Professional Development Schools in PA
This session will inform and promote the partnership between pre-K-12 schools and school districts with universities, particularly their teacher education programs. This national school-reform movement, Professional Development Schools, encourages ongoing teacher learning, faculty development and inquiry leading to pre-K-12 student achievement. The presentation highlights the reform movement’s history, theory and success implementation across Pennsylvania.
Presenters: Alison L. Rutter, assistant professor, East Stroudsburg University; John Burrus, principal, Smithfield Elementary School, East Stroudsburg Area SD; and Dr. H. George Bonekemper, board member, Upper Perkiomen SD
Partnering with Local Law Enforcement Agencies
In order to effectively handle the various types of critical incidents that schools face in today’s society, it is imperative that a strong, productive and effective partnership be formed with local law enforcement agencies. The traditional role of law enforcement being in a reactive mode to school issues is no longer used at Seneca Valley SD. The partnership between the Jackson Township Police Department and the Seneca Valley administration uses an open, progressive, proactive and professional approach to preventing incidents and dealing with them after they have occurred.
Presenters: Dr. Donald J. Tylinski, superintendent, and Dr. Matthew McKinley, assistant superintendent, secondary – both of Seneca Valley SD; and Len Keller, chief of police, and Officer John Marn, school resource officer – both of Jackson Township Police Department
Extending Student Athlete Success: The Role of the School Board
The purpose of this presentation is to update attendees on the results of a project assessing the status of scholastic sports across Pennsylvania. Information will be provided as to what coaches, parents, athletes and athletic directors feel is the role of the school board in providing the best possible experience for student-athletes. Attendees will learn to recognize how their decisions coincide with or detract from the purpose of scholastic sports.
Presenter: Dr. Aimee Kimball, director of mental training, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Sports Medicine
A Healthy Student is Ready and Able to Learn
This session will highlight a data-management tool using a Web-based portal solution enabling best practice approaches to promoting student wellness and achievement. Abington SD will share its success in partnering with a business that shares its vision of removing barriers to learning, including issues of health and wellness. The presenters will demonstrate that by collaborating with the community and businesses, you can have a positive impact on today’s youth.
Presenters: Dr. Amy F. Sichel, superintendent, and Judy Bomze, director of pupil services – both of Abington SD; and Martha Harris, vice president, Coordinated Health Solutions, InnerLink Inc.
The Role of School Board Members as Champions for Afterschool Programs
Afterschool programs are among the most promising educational innovations today. They provide opportunities for students to engage in enriching learning activities and for schools and communities to form powerful collaborations. Learn proven strategies from school boards around the nation for creating partnerships, finding funding and aligning resources to support programs that promote student success and parent and community engagement in schools.
Presenters: Aaron Dorsey, manager, Extended-Day Learning Opportunities, NSBA; Antonio Green, project director for 21st Century Programs, William Penn SD; and Dr. Richard P. Weinstein, superintendent, Middletown Area SD
Transforming the Strategic Plan Into a Blueprint for Student Achievement
Pine-Richland SD’s Transformation Blueprint transforms the district’s strategic plan into a document that vividly describes the specific strategies and programs that will improve its schools. The use of a blueprint helps to take the district vision from an “artist’s rendering” to step-by-step strategies that identify how schools will operate. Participants will understand how to apply this process to their own strategic plans.
Presenters: Dr. James Manley, superintendent; Dr. Billie Rondinelli, assistant superintendent/secondary; Dr. Mary Bucci, assistant superintendent/elementary; and Rich Herko, board member – all of Pine-Richland SD
Career and Technical Education Reform Efforts in Pennsylvania
Over the past several years, the Bureau of Career and Technical Education/Pennsylvania Department of Education has provided resources and policy changes to improve career and technical education. Changes in recent state regulations and implementation of Perkins IV requirements have increased accountability. Learn what this means to you as you partner with career and technical centers.
Presenters: Lee Burket, director, Bureau of Career and Technical Education, PA Department of Education; Dr. Clyde Hornberger, executive director, Lehigh Career and Technical Institute; and Jackie Cullen, executive director, PA Association of Career and Technical Administrators
Communicating Value-Added Reports with Parents, Community, School Boards and Media
Pennsylvania school districts and educational agencies, such as the Parent Teacher Association and Pennsylvania School Boards Association, have collaborated to develop strategies and materials to support school districts and agencies in the effective communication of value-added reports to school boards, parents, media and community. As part of the collaboration, school districts and educational agencies volunteered to implement the identified strategies to establish best practices for all districts and agencies across the commonwealth to use. Districts and agency representatives will share their experiences and materials.
Presenters: Dr. Cindy Goldsworthy, assistant to the superintendent for curriculum and instruction, Derry Township SD; and Teresa Stoudt, program coordinator, PaTTAN
Opening Doors: A New Approach to Member Involvement
PSBA is unveiling major changes in its organizational structure in order to promote member participation. A task force of local school board members and PSBA Board of Directors and staff have developed a comprehensive plan that will be implemented with the approval of changes to the association’s bylaws at the business meeting of this conference, at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. PSBA President-Elect Fred Botterbusch and PSBA Executive Director Tom Gentzel will describe this important initiative and how it will affect all PSBA members.
Presenters: Frederick E. Botterbusch II, PSBA president-elect and Dallastown Area SD school director; and Thomas J. Gentzel, executive director, PSBA
Thursday, Oct. 16 – 9-10:15 a.m.
PIL Support (Pennsylvania Inspired Leadership Programs for Experienced Administrators)
This session will provide the participants with information about the obligations and opportunities available to incumbent administrators under the Pennsylvania Inspired Leadership support programs. The requirements to maintain administrative certification under Act 45 will be reviewed, as an overview of three Support Units aligned with the Core Standards and a preview of the units being developed for the six Corollary Standards. Dr. Patrick Crawford, PASA director of Professional Development, will provide a description of the PASA programs currently being offered and those proposed for the future. Participants also will learn about other approved providers that can help meet the continued education required of experienced administrators.
Presenters: Dr. Timothy McNamee, superintendent, Mohawk Area SD; Dr. Richard Mextorf, superintendent, Loyalsock Twp. SD; and Dr. Patrick Crawford, director of Professional Development, PASA
Legal Update (repeats at 1-2:15 p.m.)
Hear a review of judicial and legislative developments that have an impact on school governance and liability exposure.
Presenter: Sean Fields Esq., associate counsel, PSBA
Revising the Pennsylvania Academic Standards – Purpose, Process and Progress
Which of Pennsylvania’s academic standards ought to be eliminated? What’s currently missing from the standards? Learn about the process and progress to revise the standards in this session. See how others have weighed in on Pennsylvania’s academic standards, and then lend your voice to influence “version 2” of the state standards. Learn about the alignment of the standards with other Pennsylvania Department of Education initiatives.
Presenters: Amy C. Morton, executive director; Mark Hennes, special projects supervisor; and Dr. Jean Dyszel, curriculum consultant – all of Capital Area IU; and Dr. Leslie B. Trimmer, curriculum alignment specialist, Standards Aligned Systems, Lancaster-Lebanon IU
Data Teams – Who? What? When? Where? Why? and How?
Presenters will discuss the purpose of data teams and the process for developing data teams at the building levels. How can data be used to drive instruction? Who is involved in this process? When do these discussions take place? How do you get teacher buy-in? How do you get started?
Presenters: Richard Fry, superintendent, and Kevin Roberts, director of curriculum & instruction & educational technology – both of Big Spring SD; and David Martin, director of technology, Capital Area IU 15
Link Crew Freshman Transition Program
The Link Crew is a program designed to train upper-class student mentors to lead freshman into a successful high school experience. The purpose of the program is to reduce freshman discipline referrals, absenteeism and guidance referrals; to improve student achievement; and to establish a better culture and bond among the student body at Susquehannock High School.
Presenters: Robert Bryson, high school assistant principal; Chuck Abbott, high school athletic director; Christine Bosley, high school learning support itinerant teacher; Kristin Kowalczyk, high school learning support teacher; and Jerri Groncki, board member – all of Southern York Co. SD
Thursday, Oct. 16 – 10:45 a.m.-noon
Hiring the Best
This session continues the study of how to hire the best teachers, a discussion begun at the 14th annual PASA Education Congress in the spring of 2008. Based upon his own extensive research, Dr. James Stronge outlined the qualities of the most effective teachers and how to recognize those qualities during the hiring process. Several school districts will share their experiences using Stronge’s research in recruiting, hiring and induction of new teachers. Participants will garner some strategies to ensure they are “Hiring the Best.”
Presenter: Dr. Heidi Ondek, assistant superintendent, Quaker Valley SD; and Dr. Deborah Kolonay, superintendent, Penn-Trafford SD
We Are Proud of Our Board Because…
Be positive…that’s what we are doing this morning. Sure, anyone can be negative and complain about their board and superintendent, but there is just as much to be proud of. Come and hear the many reasons school board secretaries are proud of the work of the school board and superintendent.
Presenters: Michelle Simpson, superintendent secretary/board secretary, Juniata Valley SD; Ruth Huck, administrative assistant/board secretary, Warren Co. SD; and Diana Hall, board secretary, Charleroi Area SD – all executive committee members of the PSBA Department of School Board Secretaries and Affiliates
A District-Wide Approach to Student Achievement Data Analysis: A Way to Improve Teaching and Learning
Western Wayne SD embarked on a major data analysis project to begin the 2007-08 school year. The goal was to provide each teacher in the district with every possible piece of student achievement data for their incoming students. The data are housed in one location for the teachers to access when they please. This data warehouse was built to include DIBELS, TerraNova, 4Sight and PSSA data. It also included professional development on use of the warehouse and on use of the data to improve instruction.
Presenters: Dr. Clayton S. LaCoe III, assistant superintendent, Western Wayne SD; and R. Scott Jeffery, high school principal, Blue Ridge SD, formerly Western Wayne SD
The Age of Accountability: The Principal’s Perspective
Building administrators continue to be faced with the dilemma of “leading” versus “managing” in the current “Age of Accountability.” This presentation will discuss the evolutionary changes to the principalship that have occurred over the past several decades to include the ever-changing responsibilities of today’s building leaders. An overview of the new-age principal’s responsibilities and professional development needs will be explored and discussed. Research will be presented that suggests the needs associated with today’s school leaders and clearly defines the responsibilities associated with the principal position in Pennsylvania.
Presenters: Dr. Mark A. Gross, senior high school principal, Somerset Area SD
Professional Discipline and Reporting Responsibilities
This presentation will provide an introduction to the Professional Standards and Practices Commission, reacquaint participants with the code of professional practice and conduct, develop an understanding of the professional educator discipline system, raise awareness of conduct that can trigger professional discipline, review investigative strategies and explore mandatory reporting and other responsibilities under the Professional Educator Discipline Act.
Presenters: Carolyn Angelo, executive director/legal counsel, Professional Standards and Practices Commission; and Steven L. Turner, professional conduct investigator, PA Department of Education
Hit the Ground Running: District Orientation for New School Board Members
Lewisburg Area SD has developed a local orientation program for all new school board members that is completed prior to the first meeting new members attend. The program is designed to bring newly elected or appointed board members up to speed as quickly as possible so they can be informed participants at their first meeting.
Presenters: Kathy Swope, board president, and Dr. Mark DiRocco, superintendent – both of Lewisburg Area SD
Pennsylvania’s New Right-to-Know Law
An overview of Act 3, also known as the Right-to-Know Law or Open Records Act, goes into effect Jan. 1, 2009. Office of Open Records Executive Director Terry Mutchler will discuss requests, procedures, exemptions, appeals, fees and penalties under the new law.
Presenter: Terry Mutchler, first executive director, Office of Open Records
Thursday, Oct. 16 – 1-2:15 p.m.
Legislative Update (repeats from Wednesday, 3-4:15 p.m.)
Hear up-to-date information from the General Assembly and State Board of Education regarding issues of interest to board members.
Presenters: Timothy Allwein, assistant executive director for Governmental & Member Relations; Beth Winters, director of legislative services; Cynthia Eckerd, legislative information director; and Karen Devine, network operations director – all of PSBA
Legal Update (repeats from Thursday, 9-10:15 a.m.)
Hear a review of judicial and legislative developments that have an impact on school governance and liability exposure.
Presenter: Sean Fields Esq., associate counsel, PSBA
Voluntary Mergers – A Proactive Approach to Public Education
In Beaver County, Center Area SD and its neighbor the Monaca SD are entering into a voluntary public school merger. Several factors have aligned to make this voluntary action a reality. Officials will outline the process that led to this potential historic union, followed by a question-and-answer session.
Presenters: Robert Gradisek, board member; Dr. Daniel J. Matsook, superintendent; and Nicholas D. Perry, assistant superintendent – all of Center Area SD
Family and Community Connections With Schools: Enhance Student Achievement for All Children
Parent involvement is crucial to their children’s success. Families and community partners can be champions for schools. Participants will learn about key components of research-based approaches to building a comprehensive program of partnerships that link activities to results – increased achievement for all students. Model programs including the National PTA, SEDL and National Network of Partnership Schools as well as the Academic Development Institute Solid Foundation Strategies implemented by PA PIRC in Pennsylvania schools will be described.
Presenter: Karen Shanoski, project manager, Family-School-Community Partnership
Energy Management
In 30 months, Council Rock SD reduced energy consumption by more than 30% with approximately $150,000 in capital improvements. The savings during that period exceeded $3 million. The program is on target to reduce consumption by 40% in its first three years, a goal not achieved by another school district in the 15-year history of the federal Energy Star program. The savings are generated during the unoccupied hours by shutting off equipment when it is not needed. The program is driven by a five-point school board policy based on PSBA samples and best practice research from the federal Energy Star program.
Presenters: Robert Schoch, director of business administration; Thomas Schneider, supervisor of operational services; Marissa Higgins, student; and Theodore Caputi, student – all of Council Rock SD
Teamwork: The Key to a Successful District Operation
Williamsport Area superintendent, business manager and board member will discuss how the three entities work collaboratively and cooperatively to manage district operations and maintain a quality educational program for students that still focuses on student achievement as the number one priority. They will provide insight into their roles and responsibilities and give practical tips and strategies for creating a harmonious district climate.
Presenters: Dr. Kathleen R. Kelley, PASA president and superintendent; Charles E. Peterson Jr., PASBO president and business manager/board secretary; and Pamela Markle, PSBA president and board member – all of Williamsport Area SD
The Governance Mosaic: How a Highly Effective Board/Superintendent Relationship Fostered Top Academic Achievement and National Recognition in an Era of No Child Left Behind
The highly successful school board/superintendent partnership of this award-winning school district in suburban Pittsburgh will be shared and discussed. The governance framework and scaffolding embedded in this unique relationship that has led to the district being ranked in the top 3% of the nation’s largest school districts and among the best in Pennsylvania will be the focus of this presentation as the action plan for success is shared.
Presenters: Dr. Patricia P. Green, superintendent; Linda Bishop, board president; Maureen Grosheider, board member and protocol officer; Beth Ludwig, board member; and Dan Hubert, board vice president – all of North Allegheny SD
