WASB convention.

Wednesday and Thursday I was at the annual WASB convention in Milwaukee with Susan Fox, Jessica Ace, and Jason McCutchin.

The most interesting session I attended concerned Kewaskum schools program they call "People over programs". I have long noted that compared to the private sector, school district management structures are very weak - the Kewaskum program deals with this problem by focusing on high professional standards for their staff. I was encouraged to see an alternative model that acknowledges this issue and attempts to address the problem directly.

Along similar lines I hear a presentation from the Janesville schools - they are working with a management consulting firm (that is donating their services) to develop standards of professionalism and accountability in management. The Superintendents evaluation is published on the district website with progress toward specific measurable goals.

I also attended a session with ideas about using incentives with HRA's to reduce health insurance costs, and a session about district consolidation - I think that looking at collaborative or consolidated support services with neighboring district might be a way to save money.

I found the school tour of Milwaukee's Hawley Environmental Elementary interesting. Hawley has a curriculum integrated about environmental science and has won several awards for academics. Everyone on the tour received a copy of the 15 page "School improvement plan" with detailed data, goals and progress markers. I also learned that Milwaukee has invested in a "Math Teacher Leader" in each school; this is a teacher without primary teaching responsibility but instead with responsibility for the quality of math instruction in the entire school. Hawley is also applying for elementary IB status, which would make it the first in the state. MPS has significant problems, but my observation is that they are trying hard to find innovative solutions with limited resources (340 students were jammed into a tiny school; every available inch of space was utilized).

Credit goes to Scott Walker for attending the Gubernatorial forum, Todd Barrett didn't attend and although Mark Nuemann wasn't present this was apparently due to WASB's scheduling error. In my opinion Walker mostly dodged the tough questions, but on economic issues he did settle one answer that he stuck to pretty consistently: it is his belief that the state needs to empower school boards so that funding doesn't keep going to increased teacher compensation.

My expenses at the WASB convention are covered by the district-(Thank you!). I try to make the most of it.