1. www.vsba.org General Assembly 2013 Recap

2. www.vsba.org Thanks and Hello Some background on the session and your VSBA advocacy team

3. www.vsba.org Hot Topics Expected 65% Rule Pay for Performance/Continuing Contracts Choice Virtual School Funding Teacher Probationary Period Labor Day Opening Law Unfunded/Underfunded Mandates Charter Schools & College Partnership Laboratory Schools Non-Public School Student Participation in VHSL Activities Carryover Funds A-F School Report Cards

4. www.vsba.org Safety/security Task force bills (HB2343, 2344, 2345, 2346, 2347) School-based offenses (HB1864) Definition of firearm for expulsion (HB1866) Definition of bullying (HB1871) Immunity for reporting illegal activities (SB1376) Bus decals (SB899)

5. www.vsba.org Personnel Reassignment (HB1388, SB936) Evaluation confidentiality (HB1889) SOQ Staffing flexibility (SB1172, HB2066) Teacher licensure (SB1345) Teacher Fairness (SB1223, HB2151) Teach for America (SB1175, HB2084) Strategic Compensation Grants (SB1185, HB2083)

6. www.vsba.org Content/curriculum HS to Work Partnerships (HB1248, HB2101) Civics Education commission Waiver form for CTE experience Math remediation (HB1350) Reading intervention (SB1171, HB2068) 3 rd grade SOL assessments (HB2144) Student Growth Indicators (SB1167)

7. www.vsba.org School Board governance and more… SB Consolidation proposals (SB1201) SB salary increases (HB1735) Posting of policies (HB2019) Request for DOE waivers (SB1189) SB-initiated Charter School applications (HB2076) Organizations Eligible for Tax Credits (SB1009) School residency for students in kinship care (SB960) Child abuse investigations (HB2193)

8. www.vsba.org Other bills that passed… Health Awareness of eating disorders (HB1406) Epinephrine administration (HB1468, SB893) CPR and Defibrillators (HB2028, SB986) Special education Services for deaf/hard of hearing (HB1344, SB1097) Athletics/extra-curricular Military family exemption from VHSL rule (HB1750, SB1191, HB1497)

9. www.vsba.org Hot Issues Revisited Safety Grievance process, probationary period A-F Grading system (HB1999, SB1207)) OEI (SB1324)

10. www.vsba.org Legislative Trends Focus on safety post-Newtown Flexibility – staffing, testing, but NOT Labor Day? Concern for persistently low-performing schools, but Louisiana vs. Finland – Label it, take over, then look for what works External vs. internal solutions – education community not at the table Concepts vs. details

11. www.vsba.org “They’ll be back!” Issues coming around again… VHSL? Virtual Schools? Charter authorizing body? …requiring proactive, year-round approach

12. www.vsba.org Other takeaways: a school board perspective Membership advantage: Top-notch lobbying – Crafting legislation – Improving legislation – Talking to patrons about consequences – Compelling testimony – Expertise – Collaborative relationships with education stakeholders