2. OUR MISSION The mission of School Superintendents of Alabama is to provide a united voice for school superintendents in our state. SSA promotes public education in Alabama and the nation; is the leading advocate for children and youth in our state; provides a forum for discussion of educational issues and organizational values; provides professional development to promote the efficient operation of the office of school superintendent; and disseminates to members pertinent information about public education.

3. IN SUMMARY, WHY WE EXIST… To give superintendents... Quality Professional Learning Opportunities A Leading Voice in Sound Public Policy Development and Advocacy Meaningful Collaboration and Networking

4. HOW WE GET IT DONE ORGANIZATION COMMUNICATION

5. HOW WE GET IT DONE ORGANIZATION COMMUNICATION

6. ORGANIZATION: THE BIG PICTURE o Active Superintendents (132) o Board of Directors (21) o 9 District Presidents (elected by peers); o 4 Exec Officers, Leg. Chair, 4 CLAS reps, 2 AASA reps (approved by membership); o Scholarship/Awards Chair, (approved by Board) o Executive Committee (5) o Past Pres, President, Pres-Elect, Treas., Leg. Chair o Executive Director

7. 132 MEMBER SUPERINTENDENTS o Membership is by system o Sitting Superintendent is the voting member o SSA Membership includes: o AASA membership for the superintendent, including Legal Defense Fund and Liability Insurance Fund o Up to 4 others can be associate members o Associates have no vote and no liability insurance

8. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE BOARD o Employ and Contract with Executive Director o Establish terms of employment for all staff o Approve consultant contracts o Approve Annual Budget and Financial Statement o Establish SSA Positions and Goals o Serve as conduits of information

9. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE o Make important decisions between Board meetings o Make recommendations to the Board regarding Exec Director’s employment and terms o Study any pressing issues and make recommendations to the Board

10. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR o Lead the association to achieve its goals o Provide a unified voice for superintendents in Montgomery o Liaison to other groups, partners, legislators, state board and SDE o Provide quality professional learning opportunities for superintendents o Administer day-to-day operations

11. OFFICE ORGANIZATION o Lisa Woodard -- (FT) Director, Governmental Affairs o Diane Black -- (FT) Coordinator, Programs and Technology o Connie Edwards -- (FT) Coordinator, Finances and Membership o Janet McCain -- (PT) Conference Planner and PR o Kathi Wallace – (PT) Coordinator, Executive Coaching

12. HOW WE GET IT DONE ORGANIZATION COMMUNICATION

14. DISTRICT MEETINGS o Main Purpose: for superintendents to network, connect, and discuss common issues o To receive information from and interact with SSA staff and SDE o To allow SSA Business Members to interact with superintendents o Sponsor lunch/breakfast/breaks o District meetings can only be sponsored by SSA Business Members or public and/or non-profit agencies (e.g. universities, Chambers of Commerce, etc.

15. HOW WE GET IT DONE ORGANIZATION COMMUNICATION

16. Professional Development o Three Conferences yearly o Professional development at each; PLUs embedded o Interaction with State Superintendent and staff o National affiliation: American Association of School Administrators (AASA) o School Administrator o National Conference and other professional opportunities o Special studies o For example, Health Care Reform webinar

17. HOW WE GET IT DONE ORGANIZATION COMMUNICATION

18. 2011-12 SOUND PUBLIC POLICY WORKING WITH OTHERS o Groups we work with: o A+, AEA, AASB, BCA, CLAS, Students First o All Public Officials as called upon o Brought together a disparate group to host discussions on: o Charter Schools o Other Model Legislation

19. 2011-12 SOUND PUBLIC POLICY SYMPOSIUM FOR EDUCATION o Hosted Re-united & Expanded Legislative Symposium o SSA o AEA o AASB o CLAS o AASBO Presenters John Draper (Support for Public Schools) Sujit Canaga-Retna (State Retirement Plans) Ed MacDonald (RSA New-hire Options) Nancy Prothero (Charter School Issues) Tommy Bice (Changing Expectations) Norris Green (Rolling Reserve Act) Marquita Davis (State Finance)

20. 2011-12 SOUND PUBLIC POLICY ACHIEVEMENTS o Budget: o Saved 1600 jobs o Passed Fleet Renewal Bond o Shifted ‘split’ to K-12 o Stopped budget consolidation o Stopped diversion efforts from ETF o Policy: o Passed School Board Governance Improvement Act o Redefined “de minimus” o Raised Economic Reporting Threshold to $75,000 o Stopped bad charter school bill o Stopped voucher bill

21. HOW WE GET IT DONE ORGANIZATION COMMUNICATION

22. THE GOAL IS TO WEAVE COLLABORATION AND NETWORKING THROUGHOUT EVERYTHING THAT WE DO

23. 2011-12 COLLABORATION AND NETWORKING o List-serve - Superintendents only (2-way) o SSA communications listed earlier o Additional networking time at Conferences o District Meetings o Exec Director attended each district at least once

24. ORGANIZATION COMMUNICATION LEADERSHIP MAKES THE DIFFERENCE