ANNUAL CONVENTION

Mark your calendar for 2010 at the Ramkota Hotel:
October 28 for the School Law Seminar and New Member Seminar
October 29-30 for the Annual Convention

The 2009 NDSBA Annual Convention was held on Friday and Saturday, October 30-31, at the Ramkota Hotel in Bismarck. The School Law Seminar and New Member Seminar were held Thursday, October 29, also at the Ramkota.

Reelected officers are President Maurice Hardy, Beach; Vice President Angela Korsmo, West Fargo; NE District Director Jannell Lagein, Rock Lake; and SW District Director Kirsten Baesler, Mandan. Newly elected SE District Director is Greg Allen, Jamestown.

The convention opened with a General Session presented by Jim Brazell, who discussed 21st century science and technology, demographic changes, and the pressure on U. S. education to meet needs of the future. Brazell serves as a consulting analyst to the Texas State Technical College System and the University of Texas at Austin and is responsible for developing a strategy to expand K-12 Career and Technology Education through partnerships with higher education.

Beth Ekre, North Dakota's 2009 Teacher of the Year, was Saturday's General Session speaker. She shared her passion for her profession and her purpose in being a careful builder in the lives of children she impacts each day. Beth teaches sixth grade at Carl Ben Eielson Middle School in Fargo.

Clinic sessions on Friday and Saturday included topics relating to board development, finance, student achievement, technology, and safe and healthy schools. The School Business Managers had specific sessions that addressed issues of particular interest to their position.

Exhibitors were present on Friday to share expertise on their products and services.

A Networking Social was held immediately following Friday afternoon's business session that gave attendees a chance to connect with others from around the state.

On Saturday morning, the Delegate Assembly passed the following resolutions:

NEW RESOLUTION
COMMISSION ON EDUCATION IMPROVEMENT
NDSBA shall support the Legislature of North Dakota continuing to authorize and fund the North Dakota Commission on Education Improvement beyond the current sunset date established by the 61^st Assembly of the Legislature.

RESOLUTIONS READOPTED AS WRITTEN

1.	TAXING AUTHORITY OF THE STATE

NDSBA shall oppose any attempt to limit the taxing authority of the state.

2.	TAXING AUTHORITY OF SCHOOL BOARDS

NDSBA shall oppose any attempts to further limit or eliminate the taxing authority of school districts without significant net gains to all districts through state funding sources.

RESOLUTIONS READOPTED AS AMENDED

1.	REGIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATIONS

NDSBA shall support the State of North Dakota increasing financial support to REAs that are in place and work toward expanding resources available to these REAs so educational opportunities for students all across the state can be improved.

2.	HIRING IN DIFFICULT-TO-FILL POSITIONS

NDSBA shall support legislation that provides flexibility for school boards to hire off the salary schedule, without reference to the negotiated agreement, when necessary to hire in an area required for school approval or accreditation.

BELIEFS AND POLICIES STATEMENT ADOPTED

SCHOOL CALENDAR

NDSBA believes local school boards should set school start dates.

RESOLUTIONS DISCONTINUED

The Delegate Assembly voted to drop the following resolutions because they have been accomplished, are no longer relevant, or have become an ongoing effort of NDSBA.

1.	REDISTRIBUTION OF 2007-09 SURPLUS SPECIAL EDUCATION "EXCESS COST" DOLLARS

NDSBA shall support redistribution of all "excess cost" money by placing such excess in the ADM portion of the formula which would garner an approximately $50 per student across the state.

Adopted in 2008. Accomplished during the 2009 Legislative Session.

2.	APPROPRIATED FUNDING FOR REAs

NDSBA shall meet with the Department of Public Instruction and seek inclusion of a coordinator and basic support staff per Regional Education Association in the Governor's budget.

Adopted in 2007. The 2009 Legislative Assembly agreed with the premise that each REA has similar set costs regardless of size and provided appropriated base grants to each REA.

3.	P-16 TASK FORCE

NDSBA will support general concepts of improving education recommended by the P-16 Education Task Force in defining education adequacy for all students in North Dakota providing initiatives are fully funded by the state.

Adopted in 2006. The 2009 Legislative Assembly did not reconstitute the P-16 Task Force so this resolution is no longer relevant. NDSBA is represented on the Commission on Education Improvement which works toward the same goals.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

As part of the Association’s annual audit report this year, it was recommended that NDSBA’s Constitution contain a clause that addresses removal of directors from the board. The purpose is to ensure sound corporate governance. The Delegate Assembly passed the following:

REMOVAL OF A STATE BOARD MEMBER

ARTICLE V

Section 6: Vacancies

All members of the Board of Directors shall hold the office to which elected or appointed for the term thereof or until a successor is elected or appointed. Vacancies on the Board of Directors that result from resignation, removal, death, disqualification, inability to act, failure of the members to elect the prescribed number of directors, or any other cause may be filled by the Board of Directors for the unexpired term. Vacancies in director positions filled by the Board of Directors shall be filled by a board member from the region with the vacancy.

Officers and directors of the association who have ceased to be members of their local school board shall continue to hold their respective office until the next annual election of the association. The past president may continue to serve on the Board of Directors even if no longer a member of a local board.

Section 7: Removal of a Board Member

When the Board of Directors determines that removal of an NDSBA board member is in the best interest of the Association, it shall implement the following procedure. The Board of Directors shall consider the issue of removal at either a regular or special meeting and shall provide notice of such meeting to the member being considered for removal. Removal shall require a two-thirds majority vote of the entire Board of Directors, excluding the member being considered for removal. Removal shall create an immediate vacancy on the Board of Directors.

All Standing Resolutions are posted on this Web site.