N E W S   R E L E A S E
ALABAMA ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL BOARDS
P. O. Drawer 230488 * Montgomery, AL 36123-0488 * Telephone 334/277-9700* Web Site www.theaasb.org

LOCAL EDUCATION LEADERS STUDY
LEADERSHIP THROUGH CHANGE

                ORANGE BEACH – Mr. Larry Burleson, Ms. Sandra Manasco and Mr. Steve Stott, members of the Haleyville Board of Education along with Superintendent Dr. Clint Baggett, were among more than 400 education leaders from around Alabama who recently received training as part of the Alabama Association of School Boards’ annual summer conference.

                The training covered best practices for strengthening leadership, fostering teamwork and managing change to improve student success.  The July 27-30 conference’s theme was “Surf the Wave of Success.”  Burleson, Manasco, Stott and Baggett learned how to manage the changing demands in public education in a way that builds on past achievements and further improves student success.

                Attendees also learned what the school board and superintendent’s roles are in defining and planning “success for all students” and the fundamentals of building a culture of change that focuses on improving and sustaining student achievement.

                “Alabama has enjoyed a wave of successes in public education in recent years,” said AASB Executive Director Sally Howell, J.D.  “We’re headed in the right direction.  We must continue that momentum.  The idea is not to become complacent, but to help school boards understand their role in continuing to champion change and policy development that results in students who become productive citizens, attain higher levels of education and succeed in the modern-day workplace.”

                Keynote speaker Bud Taylor, an organizational change expert, focused on how to make changes that are essential for student success.

                In the segment “Public Education:  The Wave of the Future,” attendees heard from Alabama’s Teacher of the Year Roy Hudson; Dr. Tommy Bice, the state Department of Education’s new deputy superintendent of education for instructional services; and Craig Pouncey, state assistant superintendent of education.  Each discussed how best to focus on student achievement through leadership and resources.

                Finally, AASB members met LuAnn Bird, AASB’s new board development director, who described how to be a school board that leads for student achievement.

                Summer Conference 2008 was a presentation of AASB’s School Board Member Academy, an ongoing school for school board members.  Board members earned academy credit for participating in the conference, and superintendents may earn professional development credit toward meeting requirements for certificate renewal.

                The Alabama Association of School Boards represents all of the state’s public local school boards.  In 2009, the association will celebrate 60 years of service to education leaders and support for local decision making in public education.  AASB provides members with a wide array of services, including boardmanship training seminars, risk management programs, legal assistance and policy research.