JCAA Spring Issues Forums Report - School Choice

Click here to read the responses from your colleagues regarding the JCAA Spring Issues Forums conversation on school choice. The purpose of the conversation was to share ideas with each other. For those of you who could not attend the meeting, the report lists the recorded conversation comments made at the meeting.

In addition to the conversation on school choice, participants talked about ideas for administrator staff development. This report was shared with the JCAA Professional Development Steering Committee and will be shared with district leadership.

JCAA Supports Referendum C: TABOR Reform

Generating the most interest and bipartisan support was House Bill 1194, which will place Referendum C, “The Colorado Economic Recovery Act,” on the November ballot. Referendum C will ask voters to give up some anticipated tax refunds for five years to help fund programs that have been hurt by Colorado 's TABOR spending limits. Under this proposal, spending limits will be based on the previous year's limit -- not on actual revenue collections. It means state services, such as education, will no longer be stuck at the worst level they ever hit. If passed, Referendum C could raise $147 million to rebuild the state's fund for education without raising taxes. It will also raise funds for highways and police and firefighter's pensions.

Education funding for next year was contained in Senate Bill 200. For 2005-06, base per pupil funding for education will be $4,717.62. Last year, the base per pupil funding was $4,666.29. The funding bill restored 2,000 preschool slots statewide and added to the definition of “at-risk pupils” those pupils whose dominant language is not English. For Jeffco Public Schools this means approximately $500,000 more for the 2005-06 school year.

The Legislature also approved creating a committee to study the financing of public schools. Ten legislators, plus a 16-member task force made up of public school administrators, teachers, charter school administrators and parents, will convene this summer to examine financing equity in Colorado schools. The committee's work will be presented to the governor and the 2006 general assembly.

JCAA Fall 2005 Professional Development Event
Save This Date! Bring a Team of Teachers!

Featuring: Maria Guajardo Lucero, Ph.D.
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM Full Breakfast Buffet
8:30 AM - 11:30 AM Program Presentation
Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities

Maria Guajardo Lucero is the executive director of the Mayor's Office for Education and children in Denver. Focusing on the first two decades of life, the charge of her office is to champion educational advancement for children and youth in Denver. She oversees operations from Head Start to providing high school students an even start to postsecondary education. A licensed clinical psychologist, in 2004 she was invited by Denver Public Schools to serve as a commissioner on the Secondary Reform Commission.

Maria is a national spokesperson on topics of educational attainment, positive youth development and the strength of diversity.

Dr. Guarjardo Lucero graduated with honors from Harvard University and earned her Masters and Ph.D. from the University of Denver. She is also a graduate of the Kennedy School of Government Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government. Her publications include The Power of Parents: Parent Engagement in Schools and the Developmental Assets. A daughter of migrant parents, she currently has a son enrolled in Denver Public Schools.

School administrators will be encouraged to bring a team of teachers from their building to hear Dr. Guarjardo Lucero's message.

Good to Great! JCAA Year End Celebration:

Click here to download the invitation to attend the Year End Event--REGISTER NOW!

The invitation was also be sent to you on the pony. Registration DUE no later than June 3, 2005:

JCAA Year End Event Celebration!
Wednesday, June 8, 2005
Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities
Featuring: Moonlighting Teachers

Save This Date!

JCAA School Year Kick-Off Motivational Event!
Friday, July 29, 2005
Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities
Featuring: Albert Mensah

For more information about this event, see the networking events web page:
http://jeffcoweb.jeffco.k12.co.us/jcaa/networking_events.html

Emeritus Members Spring and Summer Events

The Emeritus Member Program Steering Committee has designed 4 events for our retired members during the spring and summer 2005.

Click here to download a flyer with the registration information. Flyers were distributed to all retired members via email and regular mail. The events still available are:

• Spring 2005 Retired Administrators Networking Breakfast: Program Presenter: Community Liaison Barnes and Noble, Wednesday, May 25, 2005, 9:30 - 11:30 AM, Rolling Hills Country Club
• Annual New England Clam Bake on First Day of School: Hosted by Kristi and Gerry Difford, Monday, August 22, 2005, 6:00 - 7:00 PM Cocktail Hour - Dinner at 7:00 PM

Click here to go to the Emeritus Member Web Page. This page is currently being developed and will expand in phases.

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, and The Jefferson Foundation. If you know a child in need of clothing, please click here to learn how you can request clothing -- or Serving Kids now has our own web site. Check us out! http://jeffcoweb.jeffco.k12.co.us/partners/servingkids/

Jeffco Schools Employee Appreciation Celebration 2005
Six Flags Elitch Gardens

Click here to download a flyer on how to purchase your Six Flags Elitch Gardens tickets. Jeffco Public Schools employees can purchase tickets good for Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday June 3rd through 6th for $20 each (good for one day.) Regular gate prices are $37.99.

Colorado Principals' Center 2005 Fall Institute
Colorado: Reaching the Peaks
Reflections Upon Practice & Promise

November 10-12, 2005
Colorado Convention Center

The 2005 CPC Fall School Leadership Institute will offer three days of interactive, in-depth workshop opportunities with leading experts on school reform, improving student achievement, tackling the achievement gap, and creating high-performing schools and districts.

Featured presenters are Carol Glickman, Anthony Alvarado, Ealine Fink, and Dwight Jones.

Click here for more information.

Colorado Principals' Center Fellows Program

Click here for more information.

Financial Company Information:

To help our members learn about the services offered by the various financial companies who support PERA employees, JCAA will occasionally publish a synopsis on a company's services. The fact sheets are written by the financial companies. JCAA does not endorse any companies, but wants to provide information about the companies. This month, we are sharing fact sheets on 3 companies:

• GCG Financial, Inc. Representatives: Kimberly Stokes, CFP and Elisa Del Valle
  Click here to view the fact sheet of services they provide to administrators.
  
• Strategic Financial Partners Representative: Kelly Stecklein, MBA, MSF
  Click here to view the fact sheet of services they provide to administrators.
  
• Horace Mann Companies Representative: Robert Lee
  Click here to view the fact sheet of the services they provide to administrators. Horace Mann does offer special insurance discounts to JCAA members.