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By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
Juab School District Board members have not been to an annual National School Board Association Annual Conference in the past four years, and, therefore, they would like to attend the spring event in San Francisco, California.
"These conferences are important to school board members," said Delanie Hathaway, board president.
Training is vital to the smooth working of the school board, she said.
The local school board is charged with the responsibility of establishing and maintaining a basic organizational structure for the local school system, developing curriculum, meeting federal and state mandates for public schools, appointing a superintendent and key members of the central office staff, adopting an annual budget, and creating a climate that promotes educational excellence.
2011 NSBA Annual Conference, will be held April 9-11 and board members reviewed an invitation they had received to make reservations.
Some of the questions asked by the national association which local board members were directed to ask themselves were: What more can my school board do to ensure a bright future for the students in our community? Could a new data report, technology, or innovative approach make a difference? Are there school districts across the country with creative solutions to the problems my district faces?
If they answered "Yes" to any of those questions, they were encouraged to attend the 71st NSBA Annual Conference where the focus will be on the key issues that are impacting school boards across the country.
"I have not been to an NSBA annual conference in the three years I have served on the board," said Dale Whitlock, board member.
Hathaway said attendance would let members get a national perspective from top-notch speakers, receive updates on federal legislation, and understand the legal implications of recent federal court decisions.
The national conference, she said, allows board members to share experiences and best practices with colleagues from around the country: to get new insights, more efficient strategies, and build relationships for the future.
Local school boards initiate educational policies at the local level and have a responsibility for implementing a variety of state and federal policies.
General Session keynote speakers for the conference will be: Juan Enriquez, bestselling author, businessman, and academic, who is recognized as one of the world's leading authorities on the economic and political impacts of life sciences; Condoleezza Rice, American professor, politician, diplomat and author who served as the 66th United States Secretary of State; Daniel Pink, an American writer who is the author of four books focused on the changing world of work.
Hathaway said, that in addition to the board, it would be wise to include the superintendent.
"I would appreciate the opportunity to attend," said Jim Shank, superintendent of Juab School District.
"Attendance does help us, as board members, gain the knowledge and insight we need," said Hathaway.
In Utah, it is the local board that is charged with the responsibility to establish and maintain a basic organizational structure for the local school system, develop curriculum, meet federal and state mandates for public schools, appoint a superintendent and key members of the central office staff, adopt an annual budget, and create a climate that promotes educational excellence.
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