JCAA Supports Referendum C & D: 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.

JCAA Motivational Event: Enlightened Leadership!

Register Today! Click here for the flyer.

Friday, July 29, 2005

Featuring: Albert Mensah
Start the school year off right! Recharge your batteries. Reconnect with your colleagues and meet the newly hired recruits to Jeffco Schools’ administrative staff.

Our professional development theme for 2005-06 is “Enlightened Leadership!” To help us understand what this really means, we are very excited to bring Albert Mensah's’s inspirational message to Jeffco.

Albert Mensah has been called, “The Prince of Possibilities” and offers the kind of inspiration that sends morale soaring. Through his unique presentation style and storytelling, Albert will share with us many of his insights, including teaching us to:

• Understand what it really means to be welcoming to our communities and staff,
• Recognize opportunity for ourselves and our students in all its many disguises,
• Create our best opportunities out of our biggest obstacles.
• Act on change, not against it, and
• Believe that our courage is bigger than our circumstances.

JCAA Pictorial Directory

Be sure to have your picture taken!

Who? All district administrators, professional technical employees on the administrative salary schedule, and JCAA associate members need to have their picture taken.

Why? To help you learn the names and faces of district leadership, JCAA publishes the Pictorial Directory as a networking service for our members. It's critical that everyone have their picture taken, even if you're not yet a member!

How? Show up on one of the dates below. You'll have your picture taken with 2 cameras--1 for the directory and 1 for your district ID badge. Please pick up your instant ID badge before you leave the camera area.

Cost? All JCAA members will receive a complimentary copy of the directory when it comes out in late fall. Nonmembers can purchase the directory for $15. The ID badges are free if taken on the July 25 and 29 dates only.

Monday, July 25, 2005: 7:00 AM - 12:30 AM at Dakota Ridge High School
Friday, July 29, 2005: 7:00 AM - 11:00 AM at Arvada Center for the Arts

A special thank you to Lois Myers of Lifetouch. Lois sponsors the publication of the books.

Emeritus Members Annual New England Clam Bake

This event is held on the first day of school! Click here to download a flyer with the registration information. Flyers were distributed to all retired members via email and regular mail.

• 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

Emeritus Members Reading List Suggestions

At the retired members breakfast in May, participants shared good book ideas for summer reading. Click here to read the list of suggestions.

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 Employee Appreciation Night at the Zoo

Save this date: Friday, August 26, 2005 - 6:00 - 10:00 PM for the free Jeffco Employee Appreciation Night at the Denver Zoo. More information will be coming out, including how to get your tickets. This event is sponsored by the Anchor Group and Employee Recognition Committee.

Colorado Staff Development Council:
Sustainable Leadership

November 17, 2005
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Featuring Andy Hargreaves, internationally recognized educator, motivator, speaker, and author. Education leaders want to accomplish goals that matter, inspire others to join them in working toward those goals, and leave a lasting legacy. This is an interactive workshop for education leaders to learn about the seven principles that together define sustainable leadership.

Click here for the flyer and registration information.

McRel: Leading Learning for the Future

September 22-24, 2005

Join McREL and Cardinal Stritch University in Westminster, Colo., on September 22-24, 2005 to learn from leading-edge research and innovation how to lead successful learning today and anticipate what the future may hold for learning tomorrow.

To learn more about this conference, check out the web site:
http://www.mcrel.org/conference/

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.