February 2013 Newsletter

Yavapai County Education
Service Agency
News
Our Mission: The Yavapai County Education Service Agency provides quality leadership, services, and support
Volume 7, Issue 2
in response to identified and anticipated needs that will ensure the highest quality education for students.
Volume
5, Issue
12
February
2013
Our Vision: The “First Choice” for Responsive Educational Services
December 2011
2013
Events
Mark Your Calendar
Feb 11
2013
Boardmanship Training,
YCESA, 2970 Centerpointe
East Dr, Prescott, 4:00 pm 8:00 pm (RSVP)
Feb 13
2013
Yavapai County Spelling Bee.
Camp Verde USD Multi-Use
Complex Theater.
Feb 19
2013
Professional Development
Summit, Camp Yavapines,
Prescott, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm.
Feb 28Mar 1
2013
Northern Arizona K-8
Regional Science Fair,
Tri-City College Prep
High School, Prescott.
Apr 24
2013
Countywide Administrators
Meeting, Camp Yavapines,
Prescott, 8 am.
ERROR SHORTS ARIZONA SCHOOLS $38 MILLION
An error in calculating the Classroom Site Fund (CSF), since 2006 has shortchanged hundreds of Arizona public and charter schools while causing others to
be overpaid. The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) will reimburse $38
million to those underfunded and set up payment plans to recoup the $6 million
that others were overpaid. *
The money comes from a six-tenths of one percent sales tax approved by voters
in 2000. The ballot measure, Prop 301, sets aside money in a classroom-site fund
and is earmarked to pay teachers and provide instructional support in the
classroom. The available money fluctuates each year based on sales-tax revenue.
The original formula for distributing the Prop 301 money set a per-pupil allocation
in March based on state revenue estimates. Schools then used that estimate to
budget for the following school year. When estimates fell short of revenue, there
was no mechanism in the law to make up for prior-year shortages. State law was
changed to allow for adjustments.
When ADE made the shortfall adjustments, however, officials used current-year
student enrollments instead of previous-year enrollments. Some schools gained or
lost students, and therefore, received incorrect per-student funding.
Source: Anne Ryman, The Republic, azcentral.com Jan 27, 2013
* According to AASBO’s Chuck Essigs, CSF money can be carried over into
subsequent years; schools will not have to spend a windfall this year.
Classroom Site Fund Error Payment Plan Announced
Lyle Friesen, Arizona Department of Education’s (ADE) Deputy Associate Superintendent of School Finance, said
there is enough money available to cover the payments for the Classroom Site Fund (CDF) error. No adjustments,
positive or negative will be made prior to March 2013.
In most cases, school districts and charter schools are due additional CSF funding for prior years. However, this is
not always the case. For the schools that were overpaid, the adjustments will be made over the final five payments
for FY 2013 and the 12 payments for FY 2014.
CSF distributions made during FY 2011 and FY 2012 each included $120 per weighted student count for the current
year. The budget capacity amount for both FY 2011 and FY 2012 was $120. However the total projected CSF
revenue of $220 for FY2011 and $219 for FY2012 was used for distribution purposes, without specific differentiation
of current year and prior year portions. Amounts in excess of $120 were intended to apply to shortfalls in CSF
revenues in FY 2006 through FY 2010. Unfortunately, the methodology used to distribute the monies intended for
prior year shortfalls was distributed in a manner which assumed all charter schools and all school districts were in
existence every year, FY 2006 through FY 2010, with the same student count as they had in FY 2011 and FY 2012.
This methodology resulted in school districts and charter schools which were not in existence every year or which
were growing in student count receiving more CSF funding intended for prior year shortages than they were actually
Continued on Page 2
shorted.
1
02/01/13
Classroom Site Fund Error Payment Plan Announced
Continued from Page 1
As indicated in previous CSF payment memos (beginning with FY 2012 CSF payment 9 memo, 12-051), amounts in
excess of $120 were intended to cover prior year payment shortages. The memos also provided advance notice
that a review of payments was being conducted and adjustments would be made.
Information for each school district and charter school will be provided shortly. A summary report for FY 2005
through FY 2012 will be e-mailed to business managers. This summary report will provide the student count for
each year, original and current, along with the original and recalculated CSF for each fiscal year.
Please e-mail SchoolFinance@azed.gov with questions receiving and reviewing your report. Emails will be
responded to in order received.
Source: Lyle Friesen, ADE School Finance
CSF Adjustment News from Essigs
Chuck Essigs, AASBO’s Director of Governmental
Relations, shared that the ADE website now has a report
that lists the Classroom Site Fund (CSF) adjustments by
individual district and charter. To view the ADE report, go
to www.azed.gov/finance/files/2013/01/csf-shortfallreport.pdf .
He cautions, however, that since this is a budgetcontrolled fund, these cash adjustments by ADE will not
automatically impact your FY 2013 CSF spending limit.
Any corrections that have been made to your student
count could result in a change in your CSF spending limit.
Essigs says that if you have been only spending up to
your available cash, these adjustments may be of
assistance. Again, he reminds districts and charters that
in no case are they authorized to have expenditures
above the ARS 15-978 limit.
Source: Chuck Essigs, AASBO
ASBA Policy Services and
Required Actions
The Arizona School Board Association (ASBA) has
posted its “Policy Services Recommended and
Required Actions for 2013” on their FTP site under
“Annual Recommended and Required Actions.”
The online address for the FTP site is
ftp://lp.ctspublish.com The UserID and Password
are both “arizona” in all lower case letters.
This posting resulted from a recent email
attachment that was too large to be delivered to
many districts.
Contact E. Renae Watson, ASBA policy
technician, with questions or concerns—602254-1100 or 800-238-4701; rwatson@azsba.org
Contributed by Renae Watkins, ASBA
GOVERNOR’S BUDGET PROPOSAL RELEASED
Rebecca Gau, Director of the Governor's Office of Education Innovation (GOEI),
announced the release of Governor Jan Brewer's budget proposal. Viewed it at
azospb.gov/
In addition to education funding for Common Core, performance funding, school safety,
capital, and technology, the budget includes a recommendation of $1.5 million for GOEI
to fund “master teachers at regional centers.” Gau revealed that it amounts to a $300,000 contract per
region intended for whatever each regional needs are.
This funding request is intended to support the $40 million education budget proposed for districts and
charters. Gau said that if the state is funding professional development, technology, resources, or whatever the
local education agencies (LEAs) require to support the roll out of the Common Core or other needs, it makes
sense to have resources at the regional level to provide assistance. Human capital appears to be of greatest
need, and the GOEI calculated the budget amount on three people per region. Each of the five regions may
have a different need. The intent is to be flexible and to supplement the Race to the Top (RTTT) funding the
regions have received, with the acknowledgement that the work of the regional centers is much greater than
what this RTTT funding can support. Gau points out that this is all “pass through” funding; GOEI will retain nothing
for administration.
If this proposed item makes it through to the legislature's final budget, each region will submit a scope of work
and budget to GOEI. With minimal strings attached, GOEI will match the contract to the regions' needs. This
funding now sits with the legislative appropriations process.
Source: Rebecca Gau, GOEI
2
02/01/13
3
02/01/13
ROUNDUP ...a gathering of Education News
Round-Up is a new feature linking you to some valuable and interesting education news from around Yavapai
County, Arizona, and the nation.
· Arizona's Public Schools Face Tougher Standards
http://www.azcentral.com/community/tempe/articles/20121212arizona-public-schools-tougherstandards.html?sf8381932=1
· Reformer: Prepare Arizona Students to Compete Globally
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/20130105arizona-students-compete-globally.html
· Academic Standards to Rise for AZ Schools http://azstarnet.com/news/local/academic-standards-to-risefor-az-schools/article_06d503ff-3407-5dc3-bc88-e57fbf7d7262.html
· New Education Standards will Fail your kids and America's Future if we don't act now
http://www.forbes.com/sites/brettnelson/2013/01/07/new-education-standards-will-fail-your-kids-andamericas-future-if-we-dont-act-now/
Source: West Central Regional Service Center
www.WCRSC.org
New Assessment and Accountability
Associate Superintendent at ADE
Dr. Leila Williams is the new Associate Superintendent for Assessment and Accountability for
the Arizona Department of Education (ADE). She
replaces Roberta Alley who is retiring after many
years of having had a significant impact on state
assessments and how ADE supports educators and
students in Arizona. Dr. Williams has extensive
experience in assessments, policy, research, special
education, and standards. She has worked with
Alley for the past five years.
Dr. Williams is available to attend regional meetings
to share assessment updates, and specifically
information on Partnership for Assessment of
Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) testing.
She can be reached at ADE 602-364-2811 and by
email at Leila.Williams@azed.gov.
Source: Leila Williams, ADE
IMPACT AID SUMMIT
Feb 20, 2013
Read Across America Day 2013
Walnut Canyon Press is distributing Arizona: Nations
and Art to all 90,000 Arizona 4th graders for Read
Across America Day 2013. This book supports
Arizona History and Native American Studies. A free
companion Teachers Unit has been created by
Michelle Homan, Hopi 4th Grade Teacher.
Districts interested in receiving free books for their
students should contact WalnutCanyonPress@
gmail.com with a total number of students. This
program is strictly voluntary. Books will be available
for pick up in Prescott (location TBD) in early
February.
The Yavapai County Education Service Agency is not
sponsoring nor endorsing this activity, but LEAs are
free to take advantage of the program if they wish.
10 AM – 3 PM ASBA, 2100 N Central Ave Ste 200, Phoenix, AZ
Register on-line at http://tinyurl.com/bgxdapx
Baboquivari Unified School District and the Arizona School Boards Association (ASBA) invite all Arizona school
districts and interested parties to attend the a one-day Impact Aid Summit in preparation for the 2013 National
Association of Federally Impacted Schools (NAFIS) Spring Conference.
With so many educational organizations advocating for so many important issues, the goal is to create a strategic
and unified message specific to Arizona that will focus on sustaining current funding levels.
Attendees will be provided an overview of state and federal school funding; learn the most current status of
Impact Aid; learn the key positions that the U.S. Congress may take on the Debt Ceiling and Sequestration; learn
strategies to effectively lobby while on Capitol Hill; and work with school districts in developing a "strategic, unified
message" when visiting Congressional Offices during the NAFIS Conference.
Contributed by Elizabeth Sanchez, ASBA
4
02/01/13
Owning a Home
Matters
Owning your own home can be a source of pride and
comfort, but it can also mean significant tax breaks. Talk to
a tax advisor or attorney to see if you can take advantage
of some of these or other potential tax benefits of
homeownership:
1. Deductible mortgage interest. If you itemize deductions,
you may be able to deduct the interest on a home
mortgage loan of up to $1 million on a primary or
secondary residence. See IRS Publication 530, "Tax
Information for Homeowners," available at www.irs.gov.
2. Deductible property taxes. Most states and localities levy
property taxes, which are also generally deductible on your
federal return.
3. Deductible interest on home equity loans and lines of
credit. Generally, the interest on loans of up to $1 million is
deductible if the loan is for home improvements. If you use
the loan for other purposes – such as debt consolidation, a
major purchase or education funding – you are limited to
deducting the interest paid on a loan of up to $100,000.
4. Capital gains exclusion on home sale. If you own your
home and have used it as your primary residence for at
least two of the five years prior to selling the home, married
couples filing jointly may be able to exclude up to $500,000
in capital gains on the sale. Single filers can exclude up to
$250,000. Be sure to retain receipts for home improvements, as you may be able to add those expenses to the
home's purchase price to establish your basis. See IRS
Publication 523, "Selling Your Home," at www.irs.gov for more
information.
Ready to buy a home?
The prospect of owning your first home stirs a lot of
excitement . . . along with a lot of questions. When owning a
home is what matters most, Credit Union West is your home
buying partner with mortgage loan professionals to answer
all your questions and put you in the home of your dreams.
Not happy with your current mortgage? Now is a great time
to review what options are currently available if you
refinance. A lower rate could save thousands of dollars in
interest expense. Is having more money each month or
paying off your loan faster on the top of the what matters
most list? Let us help you explore all of your refinancing
options.
Credit Union West invites you to talk to their Real Estate
professionals to learn about a mortgage that is just right for
you. Call 602-631-3200, 928-778-7156 or 800-621-0287 or
visit the website at www.cuwest.org.
Contributed by Credit Union West
Arizona Education Spending
Must Account for Inflation
The Arizona Legislature has been told by
an appeals court that it cannot pick and
choose which parts of a voter-approved
school funding initiative it wants to pay.
The Arizona Court of Appeals ruled in
January that the state must account for
inflation in all parts of its educationfunding formula, a decision that could
have profound effects for schools as well
as the state budget.
In overturning a Superior Court ruling, the
three-member appeals panel determined
that when voters in 2000 approved a
ballot measure boosting education
funding, the intent was to pay for inflation
in the base education formula as well as
other parts of the education equation,
such as transportation and extra assistance to state charter schools.
For the last three budget years, the
Legislature has opted to pay for only
minor elements in the education funding
formula, omitting any inflation dollars for
the base education budget. For this year,
that meant the Legislature provided $7.2
million for inflation funding. Full funding
would have amounted to $81.6 million,
leaving a gap of $74.4 million, according
to Chuck Essigs of the Arizona
Association of School Business Officials
(AASBO).
In addition to being a boon for the
schools, “It's a real victory for the voters,”
Essigs said. That's because the ballot
measure that authorized the inflation
funding, Proposition 301, is safeguarded
by the Voter Protection Act, which
prevents the Legislature from altering
voter-approved measures.
Rep. John Kavanagh, the chairman of the
House Appropriations Committee, said
the ruling could consume a lot of the extra
money the Legislature thought it had to
spend as it begins work on the fiscal 2014
budget. He said he will urge attorneys to
consider an appeal to the Supreme Court.
Source: Mary Jo Pitz, The Republic,
azcentral.com Jan. 15, 2013
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02/01/13
Spotlight on…
BEAVER CREEK
ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL
DISTRICT
You can feel the buzz of excitement in
Rimrock/Lake Montezuma and the Verde
Valley. Why? It's about Beaver Creek
Elementary School, its students and staff,
and the community it serves! Superintendent Karin Ward and Principal Kim Rice
are smiling ear to ear as they look over the
fruits of their labor.
The district just celebrated the ground
breaking for two new preschool classrooms.
The voters supported a bond and an
intergovernmental agreement with First
Things First to provide this opportunity for
the area preschool kids. The project is on
track to open in August, 2013. Up to 60
preschool students will reap the benefits of
Head Start and the Beaver Creek preschool
programs in the new structures.
The existing K-8 classes are hopping, too!
One highlight is Principal Rice and Mrs.
Margee Cowan, reading/language arts
teacher, working with the 8th grade on the
Explore Planning for College and Career
Readiness. As they move on to high school,
these students will have started thinking
about their next steps in education and life.
Beaver Creek School is also the heart of the
Rimrock/Lake Montezuma community. It
serves as a food bank to the community
once a month with Maintenance Director Jim
Womack and staff helping as volunteers.
The school library is shared with the Yavapai
County Community Library. With preparations for the Common Core Curriculum in
full swing, the library is adding more nonfiction and informational texts to support the
school. There's also a new Governing Board
Room available for use for trainings and
classes any day of the week.
Read about Beaver Creek's new project in
the local Camp Verde Bugle at
http://tinyurl.com/a7t4qbk
Make a point to visit them online at
http://www.bcs.k12.az.us or drop in to see
why Karin, Kim and the whole community
are so proud.
Contributed by Beaver Creek ESD
Karin Ward, Superintendent and Kim Rice, Principal
02/01/13
YOUTH LEADERSHIP
ACADEMY OPENS
2013 REGISTRATION
Prescott Area Youth Leadership (PAYL) Academy is now accepting
applications for its 2013 leadership skills building program. It is an
accelerated five-week program commencing with a full-day team
building program at Camp Chapel Rock on Saturday, April 6th,
continuing over four consecutive Tuesday evenings from 6-8 pm.
Program topics cover areas like self-understanding, character
building, active listening, team building, conflict resolution, project
planning, and public speaking.
PAYL is looking for participants who are motivated to be better
leaders and better people that will eventually use their skills and
compassion to serve their communities.
For more information and on-line application, visit:
www.prescottarealeadership.org or call 928-308-4460.
Contributed by Prescott Area Youth Leadership
6
Updates from Chuck
Chuck Essigs, Director of Governmental Relations for Arizona Association of School
Business Officials (AASBO), has much to talk about lately. Here are a few of his recent
comments and clarifications:
Governor’s Budget on bonding: The Governor’s budget proposal calls for increased
bonding ability for school districts by recommending the Legislature take action
"expanding districts budget capacity." Specifically, she recommends increasing bonding
capacity to 20% of net assessed value, doubling the current statutory limit. Her staff
pointed out this still would leave districts below the current Constitutional limit of 30%. State education groups,
education lobbyists, and school districts have stressed to the Governor's staff how important this issue is to schools.
The budget proposal also proposes that accommodation schools be funded like charter schools. They would receive
the higher per funding level coming from the same amount of additional assistance that charter schools receive,
approximately a $1,000 per pupil increase.
Finally, recognizing the value of the new regional centers, the budget proposes $1.5 million for the centers to fund
master teachers at the regional centers to work with ADE, education service agencies, and local education agencies
to support teacher training.
Retirement report from SB 1609: The presentation from the meeting on the retirement report from SB 1609 is
posted on the AASBO website at www.aasbo.org under "Legislative Information and Chuck's Updates".
New IRS guidelines: The recently released guidelines from the IRS are available at www.irs.gov/pub/irspdf/n1036.pdf . These guidelines are in response to the Fiscal Cliff legislation. IRS is requesting these changes be
made as soon as possible, but not later than February 15, 2013. You will have until March 31, 2013, to correct any
under withholding of social security tax.
“Quality Counts” report: Education Week has just released its annual “Quality Counts” Report. In the latest report,
“Quality Counts 2013”, Arizona spending per pupil is listed at $8,696. The national average spending per pupil is at
$11,824. Average spending in the United States per pupil was $3,128 or 36% higher than in Arizona. Arizona
spending per pupil ranked 47th among the 50 states. “Quality Counts 2013” again gave Arizona a grade of F for our
average per pupil spending level. In the report, spending per pupil for each state is adjusted for regional cost
differences.
Estimated costs for Common Core implementation: As Arizona implements Common Core Standards, our
schools will require increased teacher training, increased use of technology, and increased cost of
supplies/materials/ textbooks to implement these new standards. The Arizona School Boards Association (ASBA)
and AASBO have volunteered to develop the estimated statewide costs for implementation. They are going to
estimate both the costs to implement the new state requirements in the 2013-14 school year and to estimate the
ongoing annual costs after 2013-14. This information will be submitted to state leaders including the Legislature. An
on-line survey for school districts needed to be completed by January 22nd to support this effort.
Dropout recovery program counts: Legislation in 2011 allows school districts to count students that are part of a
dropout recovery program. The dropout recovery program is contained in A.R.S. 15-901.06 which became effective
for the 2012-13 school year. To clarify how students that are part of a dropout recovery program will be counted for
the current school year, Lyle Friesen of Arizona Department of Education's (ADE) School Finance Unit said these
students will be reported and counted manually at the end of the year. This means that students in a dropout
recovery program will be reported manually to ADE at the end of the year and that the student count for state
formula funding will be adjusted to reflect these students.
Change in AHCCCS claims: The federal Center for Medicare/Medicaid Services (CMS) approved Arizona Health
Care Cost Containment System’s (AHCCCS) request for school districts to use cash base accounting for the
quarterly MAC claims, with an effective date of July 1, 2012. PCG will be contacting districts so that they will be able
to gather their financial information in order to complete the first two quarters of the MAC claims. A group of school
districts and AASBO worked with AHCCCS on this problem. These involved districts made a strong case for the
beneficial change. AHCCCS will provide official notice to districts shortly. This change shows that working together
can make a difference.
Source: Chuck Essigs, AASBO
02/01/13
7
Expect More Arizona
Tour Announced
Expect More Arizona's mission is to
build a statewide movement of
Arizonans with the collective public
will to ensure world-class education,
birth through career, for all
students.
Achieving world-class education for
Arizona students is not only
possible, it's happening every day
across our state. Throughout
Arizona, countless parents, educators, students, business leaders
and community members are raising
the bar to ensure students are prepared to succeed in college, career
and life. Expect More Arizona is
launching the Expect More Excellence Tour to highlight what
Arizonans are doing all over the
state to make progress toward
world-class education.
To share the excellence, visit
www.expectmorearizona.org/blog/20
13/01/21/introducing-the-expectmore-excellence-tour/
Source: Heidi Roux, Expect More Arizona
Preschool Assessment Requirement
In 2010, the State Board of Education approved Teaching Strategies GOLD as the single assessment tool for
students enrolled in Arizona early childhood education programs. This one tool, for children birth through
Kindergarten, will allow for measuring improvements in child outcomes across programs, a critical piece in
building Arizona's system of early childhood education.
Serving Preschool Children through Title I, Non-Regulatory Guidance (April 2012) outlines that Title I Preschools
must implement Head Start Education Program Guidelines. These guidelines require the use of an on-going
progress monitoring tool. Beginning in FY14, districts using Title I funds to support preschool programs will be
required to use Teaching Strategies GOLD to assess children.
Districts are responsible for obtaining Student Accountability Information System (SAIS) identification numbers
for all preschool children and entering these numbers into GOLD. The October 2012 memo provides more
information.
Contact the ADE Early Childhood Education unit at 602-542-2790 or holly.ford@azed.gov for assistance in
registering for Teaching Strategies GOLD teacher training, purchasing the assessment, and obtaining SAIS ID
numbers for preschool children.
Contributed by Amy Corriveau, ADE Early Childhood Education
Nancy Konitzer, ADE State Title I Director
8
02/01/13
FIRST THINGS FIRST
Young Kids and the Flu:
Prevention and Treatment
Most everyone knows that the flu is widespread across the country. Although no one wants to get the flu,
parents of very young children may be especially concerned about protecting their kids. On Saturday, January
19, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Amy E. Heinrich of Red Rock Pediatrics in Cottonwood gave a talk entitled
“Managing Common Pediatric Winter Illnesses” as part of a free parenting class series funded by First Things
First.
“Children younger than five are especially at risk for complications from the flu,” said Heinrich. She said that flu
is characterized by fever, cough, headache and muscle aches. “Some cases also have nausea and vomiting,
which is more common among young children,” said Heinrich.
Heinrich advised parents to remember that the flu is contagious from the day before symptoms occur until 5-7
days after becoming sick. Therefore, children should be kept home resting for as long as possible so that they do
not spread the flu to others. “Even if a child no longer has a fever, they may still be contagious,” Heinrich said.
She also emphasized that parents should use their good judgment. “You know your child better than anybody,
and you know when they're not acting like themselves,” Heinrich said.
Heinrich talked about measures that can be taken to prevent the flu in young children. These include:
· Constant hand-washing.
· Eating immune-system boosting foods rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Zinc.
· Keeping countertops, doorknobs, and other frequently touched surfaces clean. The flu virus can survive
for up to 24 hours on surfaces.
· Getting everyone in a young child's household the flu shot.
What if a young child does start showing flu symptoms? “Many over the counter medications are not safe for
young children ages birth to five years,” said Heinrich. To treat the flu in young children, Heinrich recommended:
· Parents call their health care provider within 48 hours.
· As for all flu cases, the child should get plenty of rest and be given plenty of fluids.
· Steam and humidity (such as from baths) can be helpful to clear up congestion.
· Nasal saline can also be useful for congestion.
· Honey: for children older than 12 months, a teaspoon every hour. “It's one of the best things you can
give a child older than 1,” said Heinrich.
Heinrich emphasized that these are helpful tips, but should not replace a doctor's visit. More information about
preventing and treating the flu can be found by calling your pediatric health care provider and by visiting
cdc.gov/flu. For more information about free parenting classes like this one, please visit parentsAZ.org.
Contributed by Claire Louge, First Things First
Reminder: Governing Board Members, don’t forget to register for Boardmanship Training if you want to gain
additional knowledge and understanding about your role as a board member. Sponsored by ASBA and YCESA.
Monday, February 11, 2013
4:00 - 8:00 pm
RSVP: Laurin.Custis@yavapai.gov
YCESA, 2970 Centerpointe East Drive, Prescott
928-442-5138
2970 Centerpointe East Drive, Prescott, AZ
Includes dinner/beverages
http://form.jotform.us/form/30136041641137 to register online
Judy Giffin Room
Reminder:
The Yavapai County Education Foundation Teacher-of-the-Year Nomination Packets
are due by Monday, February 11, 2013. Please visit www.ycefoundation.com for
more information.
Contributed by Katie Granger, YCEF
9
02/01/13
President Announces Education Proposal
President Obama announced his plans to reduce gun violence and protect children. In the President's plan
to reduce gun violence and ensure safe schools, there are several proposed funds for education, including
the following:
* A new Comprehensive School Safety program that will give $150 million to school districts and law
enforcement agencies to hire school resource officers, school psychologists, social workers, and counselors;
* $30 million of one-time grants to states to help their school districts develop and implement
emergency management plans;
* With technical assistance from the Department of Education, 18,000 schools have already put in place
evidence-based strategies to improve school climate. These strategies involve certain steps for the whole
school (like consistent rules and rewards for good behavior), with more intensive steps for groups of
students exhibiting at-risk behavior, and individual services for students who continue to exhibit troubling
behavior. The Administration is proposing a new, $50 million initiative to help 8,000 more schools train
their teachers and other school staff to implement these strategies;
* Provide "Mental Health First Aid" training for teachers--Project AWARE includes $15 million for training
for teachers and other adults who interact with youth to detect and respond to mental illness in children
and young adults, including how to encourage adolescents and families experiencing these problems to seek
treatment;
* Project AWARE also includes $40 million to help school districts work with law enforcement, mental
health agencies, and other local organizations to assure students with mental health issues or other
behavioral issues are referred to the services they need;
* To help schools break the cycle of violence, Congress should provide $25 million to offer students
mental health services for trauma or anxiety, conflict resolution programs, and other school-based violence
prevention strategies; and
* Experts often cite the shortage of mental health service providers as one reason it can be hard to
access treatment. To help fill this gap, the Administration is proposing $50 million to train social workers,
counselors, psychologists, and other mental health professionals. This would provide stipends and tuition
reimbursement to train more than 5,000 mental health professionals serving young people in our schools
and communities.
Source: Report from Washington, Joel Packer, CEF by Association for Educational Service Agencies
A CHANGE IN BOARD MEMBERS
Valley Academy for Career and Technology Education (V'ACTE) recently said good-bye to retiring
Governing Board members Steve Gresham (representing Camp Verde) and Jeff Neugebauer (representing
Clarkdale-Jerome) and welcomed new board members.
Governing Board President Steve Dockray presented plaques of appreciation to Gresham and
Neugebauer. With these terms ending in December, the remaining board members and V'ACTE staff honored
both for their dedication to the career and technology students of the Verde Valley.
Dockray then welcomed new board members Stacey Barker from Camp Verde and Charlene Ray
representing Clarkdale-Jerome. Mr. Barker is the Director of Transportation and Facilities with the Camp Verde
School District. Ms. Day was previously employed by Mingus Union High School. Both are excited and eager
to begin their terms and look forward to assisting with the education of our Verde Valley students.
V'ACTE is a joint technology education district (JTED) providing career and technology education focusing
on skills and training in Agriculture, Automotive, Business Management, Cabinetmaking, Culinary Arts, Drafting,
Education Professions, Engineering, Graphic Communications, Fire Sciences, Nursing Services, Performing Arts,
Photography, Radio and TV Broadcasting, Sports Medicine, and Welding. The programs are offered and
available to the high school students in Camp Verde, Cottonwood, and Sedona. For more information, call
V'ACTE at 928-634-7131.
Contributed by Celeste Ziemkowski, V’ACTE
02/01/13
10
The Yavapai County Education Service Agency is offering parenting classes through a grant from
Community Counts/First Things First. Share this information with all!
Learn Common Sense Parenting
A FREE 6-week parenting program developed by Father Flanagan's Boys Town will provide you
with the following tools and strategies:
o Effective Praise
o Punishing vs. Teaching
Free
child care.
o Staying Calm
o Clear Messages
Space is
limited !
o Social Skills
o Teaching Self Control
o Charts & Contracts
o Preventative & Corrective Methods
o Positive & Negative Consequences
Target Audience: Parents, grandparents, educators and caregivers of children ages 0-5
Cost: FREE This parenting program is designed to give you practical skills you can use immediately!
Becoming a Love and Logic Parent ® Curriculum
A FREE 6-week parenting program designed by Love and Logic® that will provide you with tools and strategies to:
o Stop your children from bickering and fighting!
o Get your children to help with chores without argument!
Free
child care.
o Help you set limits, teach empathy, and deliver consequences!
Space is
o Encourage cooperation at mealtimes!
limited !
o Handle many other day-to-day parenting challenges!
o Help you feel more positive about your parenting skills!
Target Audience: Parents, grandparents, educators and caregivers of children ages 0-5
Cost: FREEThis parenting program is designed to give you practical skills you can use immediately!
Class Schedule:
★ Love & Logic Classes
★ Common Sense Parenting Classes
Please register me for the upcoming class(s) (check the class you’d like to attend)
Common Sense Parenting
Becoming a Love and Logic Parent class
Name: ________________________________________________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________________________________________
City: _________________________________ State: __________________ Zip: ____________________
Phone: ___________________________________ Email: ______________________________________
Date(s) & Location of Class: ______________________________________________________________
Number and Ages of Children: ____________________________________________________________
How did you hear about this class?: ________________________________________________________
Pre-register with YCESA, Pam Mayhall (mail: 2970 Centerpointe East Drive, Prescott, AZ 86301; fax: (928)771-3549; email:
Pamela.Mayhall@yavapai.us; or call: (928)442-5756)
Contributed by Melissa Lawrence Conklin, YCESA
02/01/13
11