Spring Issues Forums

REGISTER NOW!

These are free breakfast meetings for JCAA members!

Register by clicking here to send an email to Mary Wagner or call her at (303) 982-6839 opt. 3. Please let us know which of the breakfasts you plan to attend.

JCAA has four objectives and a yearly strategic plan for reaching those objectives. As a step toward reaching the objective of "supporting administrators through representation," JCAA holds Fall and Spring Issues Forums each year. During these forums or focus meetings, JCAA members participate in identifying and discussing key issues facing leaders in the Jefferson County School District. Normally following the forums, a report is generated and distributed. For copies of these reports, please call the JCAA office. The forums include an opportunity for members to network with peers while enjoying the complimentary breakfast buffet. Dates and agendas for the Forums are below:

Spring 2007 Issues Forums Meeting Dates - 7:30 AM - 9:30 AM

• South Area - Monday, April 9, 2007 - Meadows Golf Club - 6937 S. Simms St. (From Bowles, go south on Simms, past Coal Mine and look for the sign to turn right.)
• North Area - Monday, April 16, 2007 - Indian Tree Golf Club in Arvada -
  7555 Wadsworth Blvd (Turn east on 75th off Wadsworth Blvd into the club.)
• Central Area - Thursday, April 19, 2007 - Rolling Hills Country Club - 15707 W. 26th Avenue (From Youngfield and I-70, go west on 32nd to Kendrick St., follow Kendrick past the tennis courts to the Clubhouse.)
  

Employee Benefits

JCAA representatives serve on the Employee Benefits Advisory Committee. The executive director and president have been attending the latest meetings. With the high cost of health care, developing a benefits program with provider options has been challenging to say the least. Please know that JCAA is advocating for the benefits allocation to continue to be PERA includable salary. Our other priority is for the district to offer a plan which is attractive enough to have other insurance carriers bid, giving employees an option in addition to Kaiser. Final recommendations of the Benefits Advisory Committee are still being formulated and will need to be accepted during the negotiations process.

JCAA Reaches an Agreement with CASE for Legislative Advocacy Services

A Value-Added Benefit of JCAA Membership:

JCAA and CASE have entered into a contractual agreement for CASE to provide political advocacy for JCAA members. The JCAA Board of Directors unanimously approved the agreement on Friday, February 2.

Decision: Why are making the decision to move forward with this partnership?

• CASE and JCAA members have interests that will align the great majority of the time.
• CASE works cooperatively and effectively with other education lobbyists.
• CASE contracts with Salazar and Associates for lobbying work, which at times includes Tonette Salazar or Melissa Gibson. This contract is not exclusive and Salazar and Associates also serve other clients. We do have a clause in the contract to address conflict of interest issues.
• The job of CASE advocacy is Bruce Caughey’s primary job, but it is also shared among the CASE professional staff (John Hefty, Jana Caldwell and Jan Henwood). The job of advocacy goes well beyond the legislative arena and includes work with the executive branch as well as the Colorado Board of Education meetings and Department of Education. CASE has a place at the table for ensuring that the funds from the state school lands are used effectively. They often work in forums with the foundation community and serve on the Colorado Anchor Group (CASE, CASB and CEA).
• CASE often mobilizes its membership to get ahead of issues, rather than simply responding to legislative matters.
• CASE serves the interests of urban, suburban, rural and small town school districts. There are times when consensus is difficult to reach, especially around issues that create winners and losers. CASE legislative efforts will very likely align well with JCAA in the great majority of instances, but there may be times where we agree to disagree. When this happens CASE will be clear about articulating that they are not representing JCAA (or vice versa) with legislators and other policy groups.
• CASE endorses candidates and takes positions on issues. CASE at times supports issues campaigns financially, as does JCAA, but CASE does not use any member funds for candidate endorsements. In the future, CASE may decide to raise voluntary contributions to form a Political Committee (also referred to as a PAC). Unless there is an addendum to this agreement, these endorsements will not be construed as representing the JCAA position.

Services to be Provided by CASE for JCAA Members:

• Screening legislation to identify bills of potential interest.
• Detailed summaries of legislation, interim committees, and meetings specific to JCAA priorities.
• Opportunity to share BriefCASE, which is a concise look at policy matters that are most compelling to membership. BriefCASE is compiled regularly during the session.
• Weekly legislative updates, including summaries, status, and fiscal notes, extended summaries of complex legislation, links to live audio broadcast of legislative activity, calendars, and bills. Includes e-mail reporting of events that occurred during the legislative session and upcoming hearings and important votes for the upcoming week during session. Note: Updates will be sent via the JCAA member email distribution list. JCAA members will not have access to the CASE web site or any other benefit of CASE membership, unless JCAA members also belong to CASE.
• Active lobbying of specified delegation and other legislative members to seek passage, defeat, or amendment of legislation important to JCAA as the positions correspond with CASE positions.
• Coalition building with other lobbyists and state groups as appropriate to advance positions on legislation.
• Attendance of the CASE Policy Director and/or contract lobbyists at a minimum of three JCAA Legislative Committee meetings, as well as consideration of requested meetings or participating in conference calls for briefings and strategy sessions with JCAA.

JCAA Officers Meet with JCEA Leadership

JCAA officers and JCEA leadership have met twice this school year to discuss issues of mutual concern. To continue our conversation from October on workload issues, the group met again after winter break to develop a joint Budgeting for Results proposal. The proposal (submitted in a similar form last year by DLEA) calls for 2 additional teacher work days at the beginning of the school year to be used for professional development. Knowing the high cost of this proposal and the competing priorities for DLEA, the likelihood of the proposal being accepted is not great. However, JCAA and JCEA hope to get a message across about the importance of professional development and reducing the amount of time teachers are away from their classrooms for meetings and workshops.

Administrator Staff Development Fund Proposal

JCAA manages an Administrator Staff Development Fund for the district. The fund has been substantially reduced since 2002-03. At our December 2006 meeting, the JCAA Board made the decision to make a formal request to have the fund at least partially reinstated to the 2002-03 funding level. The request was not approved. However, the fund will most likely be maintained at the current funding level for the next fiscal year.

The fund is used to provide the opportunity for administrators and professional technical employees to apply to attend staff development conferences outside of Jeffco. A small portion of the fund is also used to help co-sponsor JCAA professional development events. A similar fund is managed by JCEA for teacher use.

The value for this staff development funding includes:

• Providing the opportunity for administrators in unique job positions such as risk management, technology, and facilities to attend differentiated staff development conferences to meet their distinctive professional growth requirements. The fund also gives the opportunity for experienced administrators to attend conferences in specialized and advanced areas of interest. Of course, all administrators and professional technical employees are eligible to apply for the funding.
• Through the partnership with the district, JCAA has been able to bring in nationally renowned experts in leadership and education who have spawned systemic change and new thinking including Terrance Deal, Margaret Wheatley, Rick DuFour, Jennifer James, Glen Singleton, Joel Barker, Roger Taylor, David Sousa, Claire Raines, Ceil Chavez, and Debra Pickering to name a few.
• Creative innovation does not happen in isolation. Developing strong leaders requires networking with outside districts and associations. In many situations, this is the only district funding available to administrators to pay for outside-district conferences.  

JCAA Membership Dues Tax Deduction

Please remember that 14% of your membership dues are not deductible as a business expense because they are used for lobbying purposes. Please check with your tax advisor about taking a tax deduction for your dues.

JCAA Board Nomination Forms / Committee Positions

Nominate Officers: If you are a general member, you will receive a nomination form on the pony in the next week. As a general member of JCAA, you have the right and privilege to vote for JCAA officers and Board representatives. Please take this opportunity to nominate members for the officer positions up for election. You may nominate any administrator who is a JCAA general member. Nominations will be given to the JCAA Nominations Committee, by whom the final slate will be approved. If you have any questions, please call Mary McNeil at (303) 982-6839, opt. 2. Nominations are due to the JCAA office by March 30, 2007.

List Your Committees: On this same form, we are asking you to please list all the district-level and/or JCAA committees on which you serve or have served for the 2006-2007 school year. Please take time to do this, so that our records are complete and we can recognize you for all your work at our Year End Event Celebration in June.

JCAA Spring 2007 Leadership Development Seminars

REGISTER NOW!

We're excited about our choice of offerings this spring!
Click here for the flier with more information and the registration form.

Seminar #101: March 22 - Vital Aging: Get a Life in the Second Half
Seminar #102: April 4 - Jeffco Schools PBS Program: Effective Behavior Instruction
Seminar #103: April 5 - Leading with Excellence: Put Your Own Oxygen Mask on First
Seminar #104: April 13 - Healthy Budget Practices
Seminar #105: April 18 - Legal Issues Confronting School Administrators
Seminar #106: April 23 - Understanding Jeffco Schools Education Initiatives

Who should attend?

All of our workshops are open to anyone interested in attending. However, the workshops have been designed to meet the needs of unique workgroups:

• Central / Classified Managers and Prof/Tech: Seminar #101, 103, 104, 106
• School Administrators: Seminars #101, 102, 103, 104, 105
• JCAA Associate and Emeritus Members: You are welcome to attend any of the workshops of interest to you. Emeritus members will be particularly interested in attending Seminar #101 on Vital Aging.

A Success: JCAA Major Event with Dr. Margaret Wheatley

Over 300 participants attended the February 9 event featuring Dr. Margaret Wheatley. The evaluations were overwhelmingly high. Many principals and managers brought a team from their school/department. We started the morning with a wonderful breakfast buffet, including fruit smoothies! Margaret spoke to us about simpler, finer ways to organize human endeavor. She also focused on the necessity for taking time to think. Her presentation was thought-provoking and provided a great basis for table group discussions.

Study Group Session on Margaret Wheatley's Work

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Whether or not you attended the event on February 9, you can register to attend one of the free study group sessions to discuss 4 of her articles. The sessions will be facilitated by Colleen Kerr, education consultant and retired Jeffco principal.

You must register to attend the study group session of your choice by calling Mary Wagner at (303) 982-6839, opt. 3 or clicking here to send her an email.

Study Session Dates:
Thursday, March 1, 2007 - 2:00 - 4:00 PM, ESC 3A & 3B
Tuesday, March 13, 2007, 2:00 - 4:00 PM, ESC 3A & 3B

Articles to Read Before the Session: (Click on each title to download the articles or go to http://www.margaretwheatley.com/ and go to the articles section.)

1. "How Is Your Leadership Changing?" (4 pgs.)
2. "Can We Reclaim Time to Think?" (4 pgs.)
3. "When Change is Out of Our Control" (9 pgs.)
4. "Listening as Healing" (4 pgs.)

Administrator Staff Development Fund

The funding for this program is now depleted for the 2006-07 school year because the district budget has been drastically reduced over the last 4 years.

However, in case not all the allocated funding is used, we are accepting applications and placing them on a waiting list. The funds may be used for administrators to attend a professional development workshop or pay for college tuition. To apply, click here to download the form and send in your application by the next deadline date. The deadline dates for accepting applications are the last working day of every month while funds are still available.

These funds are not available for non-administrators, because they are district funds designated for administrator staff development. Similar funds for teachers and coaches are managed by the JCEA office.

If you were approved for funding this year and no longer plan to attend the conference, please let us know so we can pass those funds on to the next person on the waiting list.

Spring Networking Social - SPRING BREAK PARTY!

REGISTER NOW by clicking here to send an email to Mary Wagner or call her at (303) 982-6839 opt. 3.

Tuesday, March 20, 2007
4:30 - 6:30 PM
Jillians at Colorado Mills Mall

This social is complimentary for all JCAA members, but please register. There is a fee for nonmembers to attend. It's a great way to enjoy each other's company in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Our party theme for the spring social is JCAA Spring Break Party! Complimentary drinks and appetizers will be served.

We have to pay a set amount for each person registered. Be sure to register so we know how many to expect and please let us know 3 days in advance if you are no longer coming. Thank you!

New JCAA Calendar System

Click here to check out the new JCAA calendar system. Did you know that if you use Outlook, you can click on an event and have the event downloaded to your personal calendar? You can also click on the location for directions. We feel this new calendar system will be a great benefit for our members.

JCAA Scholarship Application is Available

JCAA will award a $1000 scholarship to a graduating son or daughter of a JCAA general or emeritus member. The scholarship is provided through the generous support of JCAA members. The JCAA scholarship provides an opportunity to recognize the achievements of our colleagues' children and to demonstrate our commitment to the future through continuing education.

Click here to download the scholarship application. The deadline date is April 6.

Save These Dates!

JCAA Year End Celebration Event
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Arvada Center for the Arts
Save Lunch Time and the Afternoon

JCAA Motivational Event
Friday, July 27, 2007
Arvada Center for the Arts
Save Breakfast Time and the Morning

JCAA Pictorial Directories

All members should have received a complimentary pictorial directory in January. If you would like to purchase additional copies, the cost is $15 per directory.

JCAA Care, Concern, and Celebration Messages

As a service to our members, JCAA sends out Care, Concern, and Celebration messages to keep our colleagues connected and supported. We've had many positive comments about how much the membership appreciates hearing about their colleagues. If you have a concern or celebration or you know a colleague in need of support, please let Mary McNeil or Mary Wagner know. Please note that we always check with the person to make sure it's OK to send out the message, so that we honor his/her wishes. Thank you.

Serving Kids Clothing Program

Do you know a child in need of clothing or shoes? We can help!

JCAA and The Jefferson Foundation manage this charitable program, which provides near new clothing to Jeffco School Children in need and is cosponsored by JCAA, CSEA, JCEA, Jeffco PTA, JCU, and The Jefferson Foundation. If you know a child in need of clothing, please click here to learn how you can request clothing -- Serving Kids has our own web site. Check us out! Here is our web site address:

http://www.jcaajeffco.org/servingkids/

YMCA Benefit for Members
1 Week Guest Membership, Waive the $75 Joining Fee, and 10% Discount on Dues

To support our members in our Cornerstones of Wellness theme this year, JCAA has an agreement with the YMCA to provide 1 week free guest membership and other benefits. To request the certificate for a free pass, please click here to send an email to Mary Wagner or call her at (303) 982-6839 opt. 3.

Wellness Tips!

• Community Classes: Did you know that Vitamin Cottage, REI, Kaiser, and Runner's Roost all offer classes to help keep you healthy and informed? Click here to go to the Vitamin Cottage course schedule.
• 10,000 Steps Program- Walk Your Way to Fitness: If you enrolled in this program – congratulates on your participation! Remember, once you have your pedometer you must go back to kp.10k-steps.com, login and get started recording your daily efforts.
  

Emeritus Membership Program News

• Membership Survey Results: The Emeritus Member Program Steering Committee met to review the survey results. The data will help us to plan future programs, services, and events which meet our retired members needs. Thank you for participating in the survey.
• Supplemental Retirement Benefit: JCAA has a retired member serving on the Supplemental Retirement Committee. Many changes have taken place. If you are retired and have received a letter about your benefit options and have questions, you may email our representative, Gary Stueven by clicking here.
• Spring 2007 Events: Please click here to download the flier for the spring events. Two options are still available:
  • 5 Wishes Video Presentation and Discussion
  • Spring Retired Members Networking Breakfast
• JCAA Pictorial Directory: If you are a full retired member and would like a copy of the JCAA Pictorial Directory, please call the JCAA office at (303) 982-6839, opt. 3 or email Mary Wagner by clicking here.
• JCAA Emeritus Directory: A copy of the Emeritus Directory is a benefit for retired members. An updated copy of the directory will be emailed to retired members in the next couple of weeks.
• Vital Aging Workshop : Retired members are invited to attend all JCAA sponsored events. One of the workshops being offered this spring through the Leadership Development Seminar Series is titled, Vital Aging: Get a Life in the Second Half. Our retired members are more than welcome to sign up for this workshop or any other workshop we're offering in the series. Click here to download the flier.
• OELS 50th Anniversary - Volunteers Needed: The Outdoor Education Foundation is looking for volunteers to help with their 50th anniversary celebration events to be held in April. Please click here to download the attachment for the information on how to volunteer.

Are You Retiring this Year? Please let us know!

Please let the JCAA office know if you are retiring this year by clicking here to send an email to Mary Wagner or call her at (303) 982-6839 opt. 3.

JCAA would like to recognize all retirees for your service to Jeffco and our association at our Year End Event celebration on June 6.

Last Chance to Submit Nominations - Values Awards

The deadline to submit nominations for the 2007 Values Awards is this Friday, Feb. 23. Nomination forms are available on the district web site. Honorees should be nominated using a consensus process and not by individual employees. Each school and department may nominate up to four employees. All those nominated will be recognized at a ceremony – funded through a grant from the Jefferson Foundation – on Wednesday, April 25 at the Arvada Center.

Now is the time to recognize your colleagues who give their all, demonstrating the district values of teamwork, integrity, exemplary performance and valuing people.

The Values Awards program is sponsored by the Anchor Group, comprised of representatives of JCAA, CSEA, JCEA, the Board of Education and Cabinet.

The Jefferson Foundation - License Plate Fundraiser

The Jefferson Foundation plans to promote a broader awareness for public education and raise program funds by capitalizing on a novelty item – vanity license plates. Vanity plates have been a popular way to individualize a vehicle and support worthy causes. 

"The idea was conceived two years ago as a way to promote public education by the Colorado School Foundations Association (CSFA)," said Mona Sandoval, Executive Director of The Jefferson Foundation, and chair of the CSFA. "Our Association worked through the political process, and the bill to create the plate was signed into law in June."

The Support Education plate can only be purchased with the certificate provided through the web site: www.supportcoloradoschools.org. The total cost of the plate is $45. $20 is donated to the designated education foundation via the web site. The certificate is taken to the driver’s local DMV office and after paying the administrative fee of $25 directly to the DMV, the driver receives their plate.

"This is a great opportunity for us to promote our public schools, as well as provide funds for Jefferson Foundation programs," said Sandoval.

For more information contact Anton Delgado at 303-982-2212 www.jeffersonfoundation.org

Colorado Principals' Center Workshops

JCAA helps inform you about professional development offerings from local associations.

Leadership Salon Series: Spring 2007 http://www.coloradoprincipalscenter.org/Salon.html

Leadership Book Discussion Series: Spring 2007http://www.coloradoprincipalscenter.org/Book%20Series.html

For more information about the Colorado Principals' Center, please contact:
Frank A. Bingham, Ph.D.
Executive Director, Colorado Principals' Center
Ph. 303-556-2190
Fax  303-556-4479
www.ColoradoPrincipalsCenter.org

Principal for a Day Program - Regis University

If you've ever wondered what it would be like to be a principal, here is a chance to find out. Discover why you should become a principal, watch a simulation of a principal's day, find out the latest in online learning, and learn about the Principal/Administrative programs of local universities.

Saturday, March 3, 2007
8:45 AM - 12:30 PM
7600 E. Orchard Rd., Suite 100N
Englewood, CO 80111

RSVP by March 1. Bruce Bobbitt: bbobitt@regis.edu or call 303-964-5335