Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Board of Directors of Texas Association of School Boards

The Delegate Assembly of the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) met Saturday, September 25, 2010 during the 50th Annual Conference of trustees and administrators.

Board members appointed from TASB Active Members, the TASB Board and the four Legislative Advisory Council members of the TASB Legislative Committee --all make up the Delegate Assembly.

This state body determines the direction the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) will take in terms of leadership and interaction with state and federal officials and with other organizations. The Delegate Assembly also elects the Board of Directors of the Texas Association of School Boards.

There are 44 Directors, representing TASB's 20 geographical/Education Service Center regions, as well as their own school district boards.

Article VI, Section 3, of the TASB Bylaws empowers the TASB Board of Directors to actively promote the purposes of the Association, oversee its fiscal affairs, and establish Board policies. Some of the specific duties of the Board include employing the Executive Director, adopting the TASB strategic plan, approving new programs and services, monitoring ongoing service offerings, adopting the annual association budget, and recommending action to the Delegate Assembly.

Having been elected by Trustees on June 24,2010, to represent Dallas ISD, I was confirmed as a new Texas Association of School Boards Director at the convention this past weekend.

Thanks to TASB Immediate Past President Sarah Winkler, President Sylveser E.Vasquez, Jr. and the Directors  for their welcome.

I look forward to the opportunity to serve public school students, teachers and citizens at the state level.

Thanks to the Dallas ISD Trustees who supported my nomination and the TASB Delegate Assembly.

I look forward to representing Region 10C for the 2010-2013 term in Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) public service.

Monday, September 27, 2010

Vegas envoys get positive reports on Hinojosa

WFAA.com by Craig Civale
September 27, 2010 at 7:16 PM

School trustees from the Clark County (Nevada) School District were in Dallas to meet with the NAACP, the Chamber of Commerce, and current and former DISD board trustees.

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Texas school boards and administrators celebrate 50 years

Celebrating 50 years of educating leaders!  was the theme of the Texas Association of School Administrators  (TASA) and Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) 2010 Convention.  The annual conference convened this week-end, September24-26, 2010. at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, welcoming over 6,000 public school officials.

The weekend Convention featured more than 200 best-practice sessions, distinguished lectures, and general sessions that focused on creativity, motivation and vision.  Conference events and presentations were designed to provide knowledge and skills training, as well as networking opportunities, to enhance school district success.

The three engaging general session speakers were:  Daniel Pink (best-selling author), Emmitt Smith (NFL/Cowboy champion) and Bill White (Texas gubernatorial candidate).  (Gov. Rick Perry was also invited but declined to speak at this educational conference.)

Economist Todd Buchholz, PBS education correspondent John Merrow and Texas Commissioner of Education Robert Scott were distinguished lecturers.

Most memorable were the student performers, representing three school districts..  They were outstanding ... from kinder to seniors!  Applause, applause, students!  Thanks again, teachers and coaches.

Much appreciation to outgoing TASA President John Fuller and TASB President Sarah Winkler for dedicated service and for chairing a fulfilling convention.

As always, the efficient TASB staff organized and implemented an effective annual convention. They continue to earn our gratitude.

Congratulations Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) and Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA).  On to the next 50  years of service ...

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Superintendent Hinojosa says he is "a perfect fit" - for Las Vegas

"My energy and enthusiasm will be a perfect fit for the fifth-largest district in America."  - Superintendent Michael Hinojosa

These are the words of Dallas Superintendent Michael Hinojosa to the Clark County School District (CCSD) in Las Vegas, Nevada.

This statement reveals the Superintendent has already decided he will remain in Dallas only if Las Vegas (CCSD) says "No."

And what is the responsibility of Trustees to the citizens of Dallas who elected us?

It is certainly not to rush into making another bad decision under false pressure.

The special Board meeting on Thursday should be a discussion only.

Trustees should not go behind closed doors and rush into making another wrong decision.

If any decision is made, it must be made in open session before the citizens of Dallas.

It would not be be responsible for Trustees to take any action regarding Superintendent Hinojosa on Thursday.

That is exactly how very unwise decisions have been made before.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

One finalist drops out of CCSD superintendent search - News - ReviewJournal.com

One finalist drops out of CCSD superintendent search 



One finalist drops out of CCSD superintendent search

Some weigh in on qualifications of remaining two candidates

Confidence in the Clark County School District's superintendent search was shaken Monday when one of three finalists dropped out.

James Browder, superintendent of the Lee County School District in southwest Florida, withdrew to take a job as vice president of operations at Edison State College, also in Lee County.
The Clark County School Board will proceed with community meetings on Wednesday and interviews on Thursday with the two remaining finalists: Dallas Independent School District Superintendent Michael Hinojosa and Colorado Education Commissioner Dwight D. Jones.

The School Board also could decide Thursday to ask the McPherson & Jacobson search firm to produce a third finalist as it seeks to replace retiring Superintendent Walt Rulffes. The School Board's goal is to name a new superintendent by mid-October. 

Browder's decision to withdraw and questions about the backgrounds of the two remaining candidates have some wondering about the quality of the search process and what appears to be a rush to make a decision on the part of board members.

"This will very likely be the most important superintendent selection in recent memory," said longtime political strategist Sig Rogich, who is chairman of the board for the Public Education Foundation. "I see no reason why they need to pick someone overnight."

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Superintendent Hinojosa wants to leave - time for succession plan

Michael Hinojosa - Dallas, TX -  "I am ready, willing and able to lead Clark County."  Clark County School District - CCSD

What could be clearer than that?  The Dallas Superintendent is thrilled about another opportunity.

Superintendent Hinojosa intends to leave Dallas for Las Vegas if his new suitor will just say, "Yes."

The full Board was never officially informed that the Superintendent had applied for another position.

That is more than bad faith.  That is deliberately withholding very important information from Trustees about the future of the district.

What do you owe your employer of the last five years with a current contract for two more years? Of course, certain Board members probably have known about this for some time. Others were not informed until this week.

The Superintendent informed me the day before the public announcement in Las Vegas.  He indicated he was contacted by a search firm. I asked if he had applied, he said, "Yes."

Since these matters take months, this Las Vegas application process has been underway for some time.

After reviewing a video discussion of the 3 finalists, I suspect the choice has already been made. That is how many school boards operate.  There is the public face and there is the private reality of a certain board clique making decisions in private.

One candidate from Florida heads the 62nd largest school district in the nation.  He is nearing retirement.  The other two finalists are much younger.

Another finalist is Colorado State Commissioner of Education but has never headed a large urban school district.

The only finalist who has actually headed a large urban school district for the last five years is Superintendent Hinojosa.

The Dallas Board of Trustees has a responsibility to the taxpayers, students and teachers of Dallas ISD to preserve and protect the District.

It is now clear there is an immediate need for a succession plan for Dallas ISD.  The Board should develop such a plan immediately - rather than being held hostage to the decision of another school district.

At the meeting of the National School Boards Association in Chicago, April 10-12, 2010, I attended a session on succession planning for school districts.  I am now glad I did.

The odds may be the Dallas Superintendent has already been chosen in Las Vegas.

If he is not chosen, it remains clear he intends to leave.

The Board's responsibility to prepare for the future of Dallas ISD is clear.

Friday, September 17, 2010

Superintendent Hinojosa named Clark County (Las Vegas) School District finalist

The 3 finalists for Superintendent of Clark County, Nevada School District are:

James W. Browder - Ft. Myers Florida - Superintendent since 2003 - 62nd largest school district
More 

Dwight D. Jones - 48 - Denver, Colorado - Colorado State Commissioner of Education since 2007 - oversight of 178 school districts
More 


Michael Hinojosa - 54 - Dallas, TX -  "I am ready, willing and able to lead Clark County" - Superintendent since 2005 - 14th largest school district
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The video below discusses each of the 3 finalists.