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2013 MARE Conference Sessions

After Newtown - What to Do - What to Expect

Presenters:  Mickes Goldman O'Toole Attorneys

Issues dealing with security and safety in our schools, will be discussed.  

Health Care Reform Update

Presenters:  Mark Iglehart & Dale Johnson, Forrest T. Jones & CO.

The Affordable Care Act *ACA) is moving forward and understanding its key provisions is vitally important for Missouri rural schools.  Attendees will obtain the most current facts, requirements and common sense guidance on the ACA so they can provide leadership to their school district on this year's and future year's employee benefit decisions.

Leadership and the Law

Presenters:  Mike Ringen, Julie Brunner; FLITEleaders Consulting LLC and Duane Martin, Guin Martin Mundorf LLC

Few people understand the difficult challenges school leaders face.  You must carefully examine options, consider legal implications, and select the best action.  This presentation emphasizes being proactive, having a district-level commitment, using teamwork, setting priorities, and developing the ability to work through complex situations in a constantly changing legal environment.

PSRS/PEERS Update

Presenter: Steve Yoakum - PSRS/PEERS

This workshop will give an update on the financial condition, investments and contribution rates for PARA/PEERS.  Items discussed:  possible changes in the current environment for defined benefit plans as will as state and federal legislative concerns.

MSIP 5_Impact on Rural Schools

Presenter:  Ron Wilken, Ed. D, West-Central State Supervisor, DESE

This session will be explaining the major differences in the Annual Performance Report (APR) between 4th cycle MSIP and MSIP. There will be a focus on how accreditation is earned and areas of emphasis for districts. I will explain the new standards for the various accreditation classifications.

Budget Planning Update

Presenters:  Terry Morrow & Roger Adamson, L.J.Hart & Company

This presentation will concentrate on some of the serious on-going financial issues that rural school districts will face as they develop their 2013-2014 school district budgets.  Various recommendations on trying to survive as the economic times seem to be improving and how to deal with a projected increase in state funding.

Legal Update

Presenters:  Duane Martin, & Shellie Guin,  Guin Martin & Mundorf

Provide an update on critical legal developments and practical advice for dealing with hot legal issues affecting your school district.

Chasing Rigor in the Classroom

Presenter:  Randy Sheriff, Superintendent, Festus R-VI Schools

This presentation will examine samples of posted student work and how the district has increased the amount of rigor in assignments by encouraging "autopsies without blame". The district Elementary, Intermediate and Middle Schools have been named 2012 Exemplary PLC schools.

Getting Quality Capital Projects Done

Presenters:  Dr. Russell Brock, Superintendent, Gasconade R-II Schools, Rick Doerste,  Energy Systems Group, Teri Kramer, Energy Systems Group

Dr. Russell Brock, Superintendent of Gasconade R-II School District, will discuss methods of successfully contracting and funding needed capital improvement projects within a smaller school district.

Dr. Brock will also discuss the importance of evaluating and selecting a qualified contractor that will provide a quality project and on-going support

Common Core Implementing New Standards

Presenter:  Hope Pickard & Maria Swindell,  Malden R-I School District

With Common Core Standards on the horizon, how one rural elementary school is implementing the new standards in preparation for the transition to Smarter Balanced Assessment in 2014

Serious About Online Learning

Presenter:  Ruth Brock, Innovative Practices Specialist, Cooperating School Districts

82% of school districts across the country have one or more students in online classes or blended learning classes.  4 states require at least one online learning class before graduation.  What is the big deal about online classes which is the fastest growing segment of the education market?  Do districts see online courses as cost effective alternatives to textbooks?  Are 2.3 billion Internet users changing how we learn?  Come to this dynamic informative presentation to get the answers.

Character Education Go Hand in Hand

Presenters: Satotha Burr (GWC principal), Tiffany Sanny (District Character Coordinator and PBIS coach), Barbara Terry (PBIS data analysis), Neosho R-V District

George Washington Carver Elementary has successfully implemented PBIS with out already existing District Character Education Program.  Gain information on both programs, as well as how we have made them work together to benefit our students.  We will provide you with lots of useful ideas for everything from character assemblies to celebrating student success.

Learning & Leading

Presenters:  Dr. Bill Agnew & Dr. Marci Dowdy, Associates -- Missouri State University

Administrator & counselor joint training as part of their respective programs acknowledging the potential of their unique contributions can set the stage for partnerships which can improve the school culture and enhance development of high performing schools.  Principals in partnership with counselors can use data to create an urgency for change.  Counselors can provide collaboration with the principal as additional eyes and ears of the school to focus on improvement.  Together they can use the data to guide answers to drive decisions which are focused on immediate decisive interventions to meet student needs.

Support & Data Gathering

Presenters:  Marc Doss, Univ. of MO, HOMRPDC Director -- Heart of MO. -- RPDC,  Robert Simpson, Ed.S. & Dr. Tom Hairston -- Heart of MO. -- RPDC, Univ. of MO.

School administrators today are faced with ever increasing responsibilities to remain NCLD Waiver compliant in teacher evaluation and professional development.  The Network for Educator Effectiveness (NEE) is a data collection system for evaluating and promoting growth in K-12 teachers and principals.  The NEE tool assists principals by providing a low cost technical platform to conduct Missouri compliant evaluation then connects teacher performance with available professional development.  This tool makes the realities of school administration, and the spirit of the waiver, possible through the use of MU resources and technology.  Over 35 districts, most rural, are participating in this year's implementation pilot across Missouri.  Come hear our presentation to find out more or visit <nee.missouri.edu>.

Missouri School Psychological Services

Presenters:  Lindsay Oram, M,Ed, Doctoral Student, University of MO. School Psychology Program, Melissa Maras, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, University of MO.

School psychologists have specialized training in psychological assessment, academic and behavioral evidence-based interventions, crisis response, school-based consultation, and data staff.  This presentation will describe these school psychological services and offer practical tips for how schools can access these services in Missouri.

K-12 Online Ed: Everything You Need to Know

Presenter:  Dr. Arlin Epperson, K-12 Online, Columbia College

Online Education is coming to your school/district.  Students taking online courses are increasing at 20-45% per year nationally.  Are you and your school prepared for this explosion?  Learn the advantages and pitfalls of an OL program and various models in use for students.  What does a good online program look like?

Changing the Face of Education

Presenter:  Dan Decker, Superintendent, Aurora R-VIII Schools

Aurora R-VIII began full implementation of Standards Based Grading during the 2012-13 school year.  The purpose of Standards Based is to fully focus on the student mastery of defined standards/objectives and remove the inclusion of behaviors (homework, classroom compliance, etc.) from the grading process.  It is our belief that students who demonstrate mastery will improve achievement (in the classroom and on formal assessments) and be better prepared for endeavors after graduation from the K-12 system.  Other perceived benefits include clear communication with parents regarding their student's level of skills and increased achievement for students who do not play the "game of school" well.

Strategies & Factors of PS Referendums

Presenter:  Alan Stauffacher, Superintendent, Butler R-V School District

In the next 10 years a majority of schools in the state of Missouri will be asking their communities to support some type of school referendum through taxation.  In today's tough economic times school district leaders must find the best research based practices that will ensure election success.

Go Bond & Levy Election Strategies

Presenters: L.J. Hart Company

This session focuses on the process of obtaining voter approval for capital facilities improvements (bond and levy elections) with an emphases on the activities that happen in advance of the actual ballot measure, including management of existing debt and debt structuring strategies, and public relations activities to make the eventual election more successful.

Need a Boost in Your Student Performance

Presenter:  Dr. Lamar Hicks, AdvancED, Director, AdvancED Missouri -- North Central Association

AdvancED's (Adaptive System of School Improvement Tools) ASSIST merges process, content, and technology into a web-based platform for school improvement planning and accreditation management.  This session will focus on the "nuts and bolts" of using ASSEST for planning, data analysis, reporting and support for continuous improvement.

Implementing a Full iPad

Presenters:  Frank Dahman, Superintendent & Sharon Knuth, Technology Director -- Miami R-I School District

The Miami R-I School District is a small rural district that has implemented a full iPad 1:1 initiative in grades Pre-K through 8.  See how we are making learning through the iPad... Fun, Focused, Individualized and Differentiated.

Bears Den -- Ava's 21^st Century CCLC

Presenters:  Dr. Brian Wilson, Superintendent, Dr. Nancy Lawler, Assistant Superintendent, Mr. David Williams, Project Director, Mrs. B.J. Sterling, Project Coordinator -- Ava R-I School District

Come learn how to partner with community agencies, businesses and other organizations to build a high quality after-school program from the ground up.  Explore the challenges and successes of implementing a learning-centered program that will increase student achievement, parent involvement and improve your overall school climate.

What Time Is it?

Presenters:  Dr. Mike Jinks, University of Central Missouri & Duane Martin, Guin, Martin Mundorf

Time is important:  with the sixth contract teachers qualify for tenure in Missouri.  What local options (other than time) do schools have for awarding tenure?  What can districts do to add professionalism to this achievement?  Results and recommendations from a recent study of tenure in Missouri will be shared.

School Based Threat Assessment

Presenter:  Katie Neubauer, Ed.S. School Psychologist, ACES

This focuses on how schools can determine whether a verbal, written, or artistic threat made by a student is credible.  It walks schools through steps that can be taken and what has happened in other districts.  The emphasis is on experiences in schools with rural resources.  There will be a Q&A  period.