Conference Registrants

September 28, 2007

Dear Conference Registrant:

Thank you for registering for the 2007 Annual Conference of the Nevada Association of School Boards. We look forward to seeing you in Reno at the Airport Plaza Hotel & Conference Center for this important event.

During the Conference, you will have many opportunities to meet other school board members, to network, and to learn about how to improve student achievement through more effective governance strategies. On Friday morning, October 12, the program will focus upon Nevada’s Open Meeting Law, recent developments related to retiree participation in the Public Employee Benefit Program, and ethics for elected public officials. On Friday afternoon, you will be able to select from among a menu of six different workshops that feature presentations on the Clark County School District’s empowerment program, the Nevada Growth Model to assess student achievement, school district emergency preparedness, capital financing issues in Nevada’s post-abatement world, term limits, and other important topics for local school district governance teams.

On Saturday, our attention will be placed on the Iowa Association of School Boards’ Lighthouse Study and its findings about the important impact of decisions made by local boards in promoting high- and/or low- student achievement. Several Nevada school boards will share their own experiences in making decisions that have positively impacted and improved student achievement. School board secretaries/administrative assistants will have the opportunity to attend an all-day workshop dedicated to improving their skills in working with school board members and superintendents.

Four Nevada legislators will share their comments about K-12 public education during the Conference: Senator Bill Raggio, Speaker Barbara Buckley, Assemblywoman Bonnie Parnell, and Assemblywoman Debbie Smith.  Although Governor Gibbons was invited to speak, he will be out of the State during the Conference.

Several student groups will perform during the Conference. It is a tradition for Conference attendees to pass the hat or a pitcher or whatever is handy after student performances in order to contribute to the monetary recognition of the high caliber of these performances.  We encourage you to come to these events prepared with some dollar bills or higher denominations to contribute for this purpose. Performing groups always appreciate this gesture because the funds collected are unexpected.  At last year’s Conference, for example, attendees contributed more than $500 for the Carson Middle School Red Hot Bell Peppers.  These funds enabled the group to purchase new sheet music to further enhance their incredible bell performances. Student groups will perform at the Reception on Thursday evening at the National Automobile Museum as well as after dinner on Friday at the Airport Plaza.  

After dinner on Saturday evening, outstanding school board members, local boards, superintendents, and others will be recognized for their contributions during the year. After the award ceremony, we have a special entertainment treat…something new for the Conference that we are sure you will enjoy. Singer, songwriter, cowboy, and poet Richard Elloyan will perform some of his music with a focus upon Nevada themes. Richard has graciously allowed NASB to use a line from one of his songs as a part of our Conference title.

Sunday morning’s activities will focus upon the superintendent’s evaluation and how school boards can develop specific district objectives that assist in the superintendent’s evaluation. Jim Huge will spend two hours working with us on an effective process for doing this meaningfully.

During the Conference, you may find it helpful to refer to BECOMING A BETTER BOARD MEMBER. Many of you already have copies of this important publication. Newly expanded and updated, this publication from the National School Boards Association has been revised to incorporate Key Work of School Boards concepts. Chapters address learning board service; exercising leadership; working with the superintendent and staff; understanding collective bargaining, education law, and school finance; communicating with your colleagues and the public; and many other topics of importance. Please bring your copy, if you already have one. If you would like to purchase a copy at the Conference, a limited number will be available for $38.00 at the registration desk. Copies may be purchased with check or cash.

Throughout the Conference, you will be able to meet some of our corporate friends who have contributed generously in support of the activities of the Association.  Several of these friends will also be participating in workshops.  We will thank these important partners at various points during the Conference. You will also see their corporate logos in your Conference notebook and on banners in our meeting rooms.

As you can see, we have a full program of opportunities available for you throughout the time of the Conference, October 11-14, at the Airport Plaza.  The final program will be posted online at www.nvasb.org on Thursday, October 4, should you want to access more specific information before your arrival.  If at any time during the Conference, you have a special need that should be accommodated, please let one of us know about that so that we can assist you. We look forward to seeing you in Reno.

Sincerely,

Sheila Moulton
President       

Dr. Dotty Merrill
Executive Director