WVSBA

The Thrasher Group

February 9, 2018 - Volume 38 Issue 5

WVSBA News

 

WVSBA Winter Conference theme – “Change”    


(Barbara Parsons)

The topic of “change,” specifically as relating to county boards of education, is the theme for the West Virginia School Board Association’s Winter Conference which will be held February 16-17 in Charleston (Marriott Town Center Hotel).

West Virginia University President E. Gordon Gee is the keynote speaker.

The change theme is explored during the Conference General Session. WVSBA President Barbara L. Parsons, Ed.D. (Monongalia) will preside along with West Virginia Board of Education member Frank Vitali who will facilitate the First General Session.


(Frank Vitali)

Presenters include:

  • Rev. Randolf Richardson, representing West Virginia Council of Churches / Pastor Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Charleston, W. Va. / revdolfesq@gmail.com
  • Frank Vitali, MBA, member West Virginia Board of Education / President – CEO Forge Business Solutions, Morgantown, W. Va. / fvitale@forgebz.com

This conference segment will include a structured discussion regarding how change affects county boards of education, including how county boards can address change without losing identity, mission, goal and focus. The program segment also features an assessment of change from the vantage of adapting organizational structures and resources to meet external challenges such as loss of student enrollments, the Opioid Crisis, waning support for public education in some counties, an aging population and changing socio-economic conditions. 

The session includes a period for dialogue, a questions and comment period and closing remarks by Parsons and others.

Dr. Gee’s Address


( Dr. E. Gordon Gee)

The evening program segment, which begins at 7:00 p.m., includes an address by Gee.

The segment is entitled, “Dynamics of Change: Institutional Integrity, Institutional Vitality,  Institutional Resolve.”

The WVU  president is expected discuss ways in which change can invigorate organizations, leading to opportunities that may that may refocus the organization’s mission, goals and outputs without compromising institutional values.

West Virginia School Board Association Executive Director Howard O’Cull said, “while change is inevitable organizations often don’t see change in terms of transitioning – necessary transition – to newer ‘realities.’” He praised Dr. Gee for participating and noted the WVU President is known throughout the nation for visionary leadership and for seeing opportunities.

“I think we have designed a much needed program with the right thematic,” said O’Cull.

Just Cut Taxes and Win or JCTAW Amendment

The Friday afternoon Conference also features a discussion of the  "Just Cut Taxes and Win or JCTAW Amendment.”  

Dave Hardy, Cabinet Secretary West Virginia Department of Revenue will present this segment. He will be accompanied by Josh Jarrell, Deputy Secretary & General Counsel for the Department of Commerce.

Hardy and Jarrell will discuss a proposed constitutional amendment which, if passed by voters, would reduce and ultimately eliminate  the ad valorem taxation of current tangible industrial machinery, equipment and inventory personal property directly used in industrial business activity. The proposal includes provisions to aid county boards in terms of lost tax dollars. The same would apply to municipalities and county governments.

The measure is likely to be considered by the House Finance Committee early next week.  

The Saturday conference program focuses on the state’s Opioid Crisis, including a discussion regarding policy considerations for county boards in terms of students, employees, confidentiality and other matters.

Rick Boothby, an attorney for Bowles Rice LLP (Parkersburg), is the presenter.


(Rick Boothby)

Copies of the session Power Point slides will be placed on WVSBA’s website following the conference.

FY19 Annual Business Meeting

WVSBA’s  FY19 Annual Business Meeting is held in conjunction with the conference. FY19 officers will be elected at the business meeting and other association business will be conducted.

“The program theme of ‘change’ was one which the association executive committee strongly suggested. County boards are seeing rapid change – both change for what may be considered ‘good’ and, of course, change which may be perceived as ‘bad’ or cause for concern or alarm,” said WVSBA Executive Director Howard M. O’Cull, Ed.D.

The tentative conference programs is included below.

Tentative Agenda

West Virginia School Board Association Winter Conference ‘18

February 16/17

Charleston Town Center Marriott Hotel

(Charleston)

Barbara L. Parsons, Ed.D., President, presiding

 

Pre-Conference

Thursday, February 15, 2018

7:00 a.m.      Continental Breakfast

11:45 a.m.     Light Luncheon 

Friday, February 16, 2018Pre-Conference 

7:00 a.m.     Continental Breakfast

11:45 a.m.     Light Luncheon

Conference Sessions

1:00 p.m.      First General Session

Change

“To become different in some particular way without permanently losing one’s former characteristics or essence.” – One of the many definitions of change which can be found in various online dictionaries.

“You must welcome change as the rule but not as your ruler.” – Denis E. Waitley (1933 -), American motivational speaker, writer and consultant. Author of the audio series, The Psychology of Winning and books such as "Seeds of Greatness.”

“Faced with the choice between changing one's mind and proving that there is no need to do so, almost everyone gets busy on the proof.” - John Kenneth Galbraith (1908 – 2006), also known as Ken Galbraith, Canadian-born economist, public official, and diplomat, and a leading proponent of 20th-century American liberalism.

Presiding / Introduction of conference session and presenters

Barbara L. Parsons, Ed.D., (Monongalia), WVSBA President

Presenters

This conference program includes a structured discussion regarding how change affects county boards of education, including how county boards can address change without losing identity, mission, goal and focus. The program segment also features an assessment of change from the vantage of adapting organizational structures and resources to meet external challenges such as loss of student enrollments, the Opioid Crisis, waning support for public education in some counties, an aging population and changing socio-economic conditions.

2:00 p.m.     Break

2:15 p.m.     Program Resumes --                                               

3:00 p.m.     First General Session concludes

3:15 p.m.     Second General Session

Just Cut Taxes And Win Amendment 

Presiding / Introduction of conference session and presenters

Jim Crawford (Kanawha), WVSBA Past President (FY15)

Presenter

Dave Hardy, Cabinet Secretary West Virginia Department of Revenue

4:15 p.m.     Dinner on Own

7:00 p.m.     Third General Session

Dynamics of Change: Institutional Integrity, Institutional Vitality, Institutional Resolve

Introduction of conference session and presenters/presiding

Dr. Parsons

Presenter

E.  Gordon Gee, Ed.D., American academic serving his second term as President of West Virginia University  

8:15 p.m.     Adjournment

Saturday, February 17, 2018

7:00 a.m.     Buffet Breakfast

8:00 a.m.     WVSBA FY18 Annual Business Meeting

9:00 a.m.     Fourth General Session

The Opioid Crisis: Various County Board of Education Policy Considerations 

Introduction of conference session and presenters/presiding

Sam Sentelle, Ed.D. (Putnam), WVSBA Immediate Past President 

Presenter

Richard S. Boothby, Esq., Partner, Bowles Rice LLP (Parkersburg)

10:30 a.m.    Cracker Barrel Session

11:45 a.m.    Adjournment  

Secondary School Activities Commission Issue Report 

The West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission’s Executive Director’s Update/Month in Review for April is available for download here.

Editor’s Note: This update is presented by Jim Crawford (Kanawha) who represents county boards of education as a member of the WVSSAC Board of Directors. Crawford is a past president of the West Virginia School Board Association.