For a map showing the six TASPA Districts by Service center, click
here
For the full contact information of each TASPA District representative, click here
TASPA District I
District Representative: Dr. Kevin Brown, Director of Personnel & Public Information, Alamo Heights ISD
The TASPA District I Conference was held on Friday, February 16th, at the Judson ISD Central Office in San Antonio. About 70 HR folks from San Antonio, Corpus, Laredo, Brownsville, and all points in between came together for an excellent event. Participants heard presentations relating to NCLB Highly Qualified Teacher status, Teacher Incentive plans, criminal history checks, support staff training, and SBEC/Legislative updates. There was a great deal of excellent information presented and fellowship enjoyed by all.
Additionally, the San Antonio Area Personnel Administrators (SAAPA) had its monthly luncheon meeting on February 22nd. About 50 HR directors and staff from around San Antonio heard a presentation from all of the local colleges/universities about their collaborative efforts to increase the number of math and science teachers in San Antonio. The higher education consortium is looking at various types of funding and program design that will encourage more college students to pursue a teaching career in math or science. SAAPA will also host the annual Teacher Job Fair on June 19th at Blossom Athletic Center in San Antonio. Last year, approximately 1,200 applicants attended, along with school districts from throughout Texas. All districts regardless of region are invited to attend, and more information and a registration form will be forthcoming via TASPA.
Given the geographic expanse covered by TASPA District I, this year there will be two TASPA Personnel Skills for Supervisors of Non-Exempt Employees workshops: A San Antonio Area one hosted by ESC Region 20 on June 8, 2007, and a Valley/Corpus Christi Area one hosted by Corpus Christi ISD on June 15, 2007. Details on both will follow.
Photos for March newsletter DISTRICT news
Attendees to the TASPA District I meeting at Judson ISD listen attentively to one of several speakers for the day.
TASPA District I Representative Dr. Kevin Brown of Alamo Heights ISD and Past District I Representative Mildred Andrews Balanciere of North East ISD
TASPA District II
District Representative: Dr. Tim Rocka, Director of Human Resources, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD
District II, the Gulf Coast Association of School Personnel Administrators (GCASPA) held its spring meeting in the Katy school district on February 9, 2007. Dr. Leonard Merrell, Katy ISD Superintendent, gave the opening welcome. At this meeting, new officers were elected for the 2007 year as follows: President, Dr. Kathleen Sharples; Vice President, Dr. Mary Widmier; Treasurer, Dr. Debra Harris; Secretary, Ms. Brenda Lozano; and Past President, Ms. Myra Long.
In addition, Ms. Carrie Durley provided an AASPA update, and Dr. Tim Rocka provided an update about TASPA-related activities, including the TASPA Personnel Skills for Supervisors of Non-Exempt Employees Workshop that will be held June 21, 2007 at Galena Park ISD’s Central Office. Mr. Rudy Carlin informed the group that the Gulf Coast Regional Job Fair will be held June 4th and 5th at the Merrell Center, Katy ISD.
Ms. Cynthia Lusignolo of Barbers Hill ISD presented a TASPA legislative update, and Ms. Marna Harper and Dr. Tim Rocka led a productive open discussion about the SBEC grade level certification stakeholders’ committee. There was a consensus among the members that they wanted the TEA to continue offering the 4-8 Certifications for as long as possible to assist with highly-qualified teacher issues of their experienced staff.
At the conclusion of business, attendees divided into three breakout sessions: Texas Educator Excellence Inventive, It’s a Jungle Out There-ACP, and Mentoring: Round Table Discussion. All three sessions were summarized for the group at large.
Mr. James Broussard, Director of Human Resources of Channel View ISD and Mr. Craig Wiseman, Director, Secondary Personnel Services, of Spring ISD, announced their retirements in June, 2007. The next GCASPA meeting is being hosted by Lamar Consolidated ISD in October, 2007.
TASPA District III
District Representative: Marivel Sedillo, Director of Secondary Staffing, Round Rock ISD.
In November 2006 the District III membership met and excitedly shared their HR “Best Practices.” Everyone shared his/her own unique practices and processes.
Some of the subjects covered were substitute orientation, new teacher welcomes, staffing, unassigned contracts, hiring processes, and many more. Willie Watson, Director of Human Resources of Pflugerville ISD said, “It was very informative and enlightening to hear what other districts are doing regarding HR practices.”
According to the feedback, many of the members left with some practical ideas. Patricia Lyons, Director of Elementary Staffing of Round Rock ISD, commented, “It inspires me to hear about the Best Practices used by my colleagues.”
The dialogue and exchange were definitely relevant and meaningful to all. Pam Hall, Executive Director of Human Resources of the Austin ISD remarked, “It is important to continue to learn and grow through our collaboration with one another, and it is essential to look outside of our own world and recognize additional best practices that can be utilized in our own districts.”
The collaboration was yet another example of the great networking opportunities that TASPA offers our membership. The membership of TASPA District III has so much to offer, and we are lucky to be among them. Frances Lesak, Director of Secondary Staffing of the Leander ISD, summed it up by saying, “By sharing, we help one another become better practitioners.”
The membership did not meet in January, 2007 due to the icy weather.
The District III membership met in February to discuss Contracts and Incentive Grants. Cindy Clegg, from the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB), shared the key features and requirements of the three different types of Educator Excellence Incentive Grants. April Mabry of TASB updated the membership on the changes made to the employment contracts. The information was well received and timely.
Alex Martin, Executive Director of TASPA, led a discussion on several legislative bills that may impact Human Resources. The informative feedback received on the proposed bills will guide Alex in her support or opposition to the bills during this legislative session.
Additionally, those in attendance shared their 2007-2008 proposed teacher salary schedule along with stipends for the upcoming school year.
“The meeting was great, and we can’t wait to ask our people about the incentive grants,” said Kate Mathes, Salary Specialist from Killeen ISD. “It was really good to hear from other district personnel, and the networking is wonderful.” Karen Dooley, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources from Bastrop ISD, said, "The information shared by the TASB staff was informative and beneficial to the planning process in preparing for next year."
The TASPA District III members will continue to meet and share to ultimately better meet the needs of our students and teachers. Austin ISD will host the TASPA Personnel Skills for Supervisors of Non-Exempt Employees in June. More details will follow.
The next meeting is planned for May 1, 2007.
TASPA District III attendees listen to Cindy Clegg of TASB, who talked about teacher incentive plans.
Cindy Clegg of TASB explains the Grant application process for teacher incentive plans.
TASPA District IV
District Representative: Dr. Neil Dugger, Assistant Superintendent for Personnel and Administration, Irving Independent School District.
Congratulations to Tamira Griffin, Executive Director of HR in Plano ISD, who was elected as Secretary for TASPA in 2007! We know that she will represent us well at the state level!
The North Central TASPA met in January at Mansfield ISD. The speaker was Dr. Jeanne Gerlach, Dean at the University of Texas at Arlington and newly appointed Board Member of SBEC. Dr. Gerlach listened to all of our concerns regarding certification, and she promised to take these issues with her to the Board and Staff at SBEC. It was expressed that educators should be pleased to have a positive voice on the SBEC Board, and someone who will champion our desire to have an effective and efficient SBEC organization.
Also, Jed Reed, Director of Personnel Staffing in Lewisville and past President of TASPA, was recognized by his North Central colleagues for being named TASPA Administrator of the Year at the Winter Conference. Congratulations to Jed!
The next meeting of the North Central TASPA will be meeting at Keller ISD on February 22nd. The speaker will be Dr. Anne Doster, who will speak on the “Strategic HR Professional in the Educational Setting.”
The North Central TASPA Job Fair will be held on Monday, May 7th, at the Arlington Convention Center. One of the largest teacher job fairs in Texas, over a hundred North Texas school districts will be recruiting the 2000+ applicants in attendance.
The TASPA Personnel Skills for Supervisors of Non-Exempt Employees workshop will be held in the Keller ISD Boardroom on June 7, 2007. Agenda and registration will be announced soon.
Joyce Roberts, Director of Personnel in Mansfield ISD, serves as the President of the 06-07 North Texas TASPA.
Your Region IV Board Member for TASPA is Neil Dugger, Assistant Superintendent for Personnel & Administration in Irving ISD. If you have any issues or concerns that need to be brought to the leadership of TASPA, or if your District needs assistance in HR issues, please contact him at ndugger@irvingisd.net
TASPA Districts V and VI
District Representative (V): John Hancock, Personnel Director of Secondary Staffing, Amarillo ISD
District Representative (VI): Martha M Dominguez, Director of Secondary Personnel, Ysleta ISD
TASPA Districts V & VI held their joint semi- annual West Texas TASPA meeting at Lubbock ISD on Friday, February 23, 2007 in the Central Office Building. There were 50 members in attendance for the meeting that was chaired by longtime TASPA icon Ralph Madrid representing the host school. The group was honored to have TASPA President Marcia Daniels in attendance. Marcia took a few minutes to welcome the attendees and enlighten them regarding the current SBEC/Legislative activities.
During the meeting, Lubbock ISD’s Director of Technology, Bill Landes, spoke on the local district’s uses of technology. Mr. Landes alerted the group to the importance of training the various district staff members to use their technology systems correctly. After the technology update, the group dealt with various topics from the prescribed agenda, which is complied based on member input and requests.
The topics included:
- USDE’s Response to the Texas NCLB Plan
- Proposed Certification Structure Changes
- The Use of Retirees (retire-rehire)
- The Possible Teacher Shortage Caused by the Science and Math 4x4 Initiative
- What Districts Are Doing to Help IPC Teachers Become Certified in Other Areas
- House Bill 1440
- Summer TASPA Conference
- TASPA Personnel Skills for Supervisors of Non-Exempt Staff Workshop at Region 16 on June 21, 2007
Additionally Ysleta ISD will host the TASPA District VI Personnel Skills for Supervisors of Non-Exempt Staff Workshop in June. More details will follow. |
