TASPA unveils Strategic Plan at the TASPA/TAEE Joint Annual Winter Conference

TASPA/TAEE Joint Annual Winter Conference set record attendance this year with over 350 personnel administrators and other human resources staff attending the Winter Conference, held at the Doubletree Hotel Dec 6-8, 2006.   The theme this year was People are Our Most Valuable Resource, which is one of the core principles of TASPA.  The attendees were welcomed on Wednesday night with an opening reception sponsored by AESOP and WinOcular.  The program printing for the conference was sponsored by eSchool Solutions.

The Round Rock High School Color Guard opened Day 2 of the conference.  The first general session featured Shane Johnson, Mayor of Rowlett, Division President of DR Horton, and Strategic Planning Consultant, who spoke about “Creating an Intentional Future-The Value of Strategic Planning.” Texas Teachers Alternative Certification sponsored the keynote presentation. Shane emphasized the need for strategic planning in any organization as a means of deciding the association’s future.  Shane’s speech set the stage for outgoing President Jed Reed to unveil the TASPA Strategic Plan during the luncheon session, which was sponsored by Kelly Educational Staffing.  The plan was developed starting with a revamped mission statement:  To develop quality leadership in human resources services by being the leading resource that impacts and enhances public education, thereby supporting student success.

The luncheon featured our three scholarship award recipients: Cassandra Ashby of Southwestern University, the Barry Nettles Scholarship Recipient; Heidi Marie Hawbecker of The University of Texas at San Antonio, the Ann Berg Scholarship Recipient; and Tina Sharee Klepac of Angelo State University, the Pete Chernick Scholarship Recipient.  Barry Nettles, former TASPA Executive Director, presented the certificate for his named scholarship, Past TASPA President Sue Sansom presented the Ann Berg Award, and Gilbert Vasquez of Hector County ISD Presented the Pete Chernick Certificate.

The luncheon was an opportunity to thank Jed Reed for his leadership over the past year from the membership.  At the close of the luncheon, Jed passed the gavel and reins of leadership over to in-coming president Marcia Daniels, who is featured in this month’s Texas School Business Magazine. Tamira Griffin of Plano ISD was elected as incoming TASPA secretary during the business meeting.  During their respective district meetings earlier that day, Dr. Kevin Brown of Alamo Heights ISD was elected as the new TASPA District I representative, Dr. Tim Rocka of Cypress-Fairbanks ISD as District II representative, and Martha M Dominguez of Ysleta ISD as District VI representative. The full roster of new officers is listed at http://taspa.org/officers.html , and the list of committee members is at http://taspa.org/committees.html .  TASPA is very fortunate to have quality, committed leaders serving our membership on the board and committees!

Thursday’s agenda was packed with 36 workshops on the latest trends in human resource operations and logistics, best practices in personnel administration, updates on federal and state regulations, and school personnel law presented by personnel law attorneys, experts in school district personnel topics, and representatives from the Texas Association for Employment in Education (TAEE), the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC). 

The attendees were metaphorically transported to Madrid during the Thursday evening reception hosted by Texas Teachers Alternative Certification in the courtyard and Dover room.  The buffet featured a variety of traditional Spanish tapas.  Guests were also treated to a troop of Flamenco Dancers that captured the audience’s attention for hours.

TASPA incoming President Marcia Daniels accepts the gavel from outgoing President Jed Reed

TASPA members Regina Wright of Denton ISD, Cynthia Ginyard of Alief ISD, Debbie Weaver of Judson ISD, and Sharon Fuery of Judson ISD enjoy the Wednesday Reception, sponsored by AESOP and WinOcular.

TASPA Members review the strategic plan during the Business Meeting and Awards Luncheon, sponsored by Kelly Educational Staffing.  Program printing was sponsored by e-School Solutions.

TASPA members enjoy Spanish tapas and Flamenco dancing at the Thursday reception, sponsored by Texas Teachers Alternative Certification.

TAEE members Tom Casey of Texas Tech University, Julie Ruthenbeck of Angelo State University, Roger Young of Southwestern University, Norma Gaier of St. Mary’s University, and Curt Schaefer of Texas State University at the Night in Madrid reception.