Association History
THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF STATE POLICY SERVICES
(A WHISTLE-STOP HISTORY)
Compiled by Dick Smith, Texas
The American Association of State Policy Services grew out of recognition that state associations were the appropriate agent for direct policy assistance because of:
AASPS's roots trace back to an April 19, 1980, breakfast meeting at the San Francisco Fairmont Hotel hosted by Ted Hayes, then director of policy service for the Texas Association of School Boards. All state school board associations were invited to attend the meeting, held in conjunction with the NSBA annual convention. Billed as an opportunity "to compare notes among those states already providing [policy] service and to provide information to those states considering beginning such a service," the meeting was attended by representatives of 16 states and clearly demonstrated the need for such a forum.
These meetings continued with each successive NSBA annual convention until 1984, when, at the prompting of Ken Scott (Kentucky), policy directors from seven states gathered to explore interest in establishing a national policy organization and in offering to member states a stand-alone, policy centered workshop for policy staff from the various state associations. These conversations yielded an organization—The American Association of State Policy Services—and an informal steering committee—Dick Funk (Kansas), Ted Hayes (Texas), Suzanne Humphrey (Illinois), Linda Leopardi (California), and Scott, serving as chair—to plan the first national workshop.
1985—Austin, Texas
The result was the first annual AASPS meeting on May 17–18, 1985. The meeting was a team production: the steering committee developed the program while the meeting was hosted by the Texas Association of School Boards and held at TASB headquarters in Austin. Thirty-four representatives of 22 states attended; NSBA was invited but did not attend. Seminar topics included:
These topics have persisted over the years as the core curriculum for the annual conferences, a curriculum complemented by leading policy issues at the federal and state levels and by a growing emphasis on use of technology for policy operating and delivery systems.
At the business meeting concluding the Austin seminar, participants approved the establishment of AASPS, structurally independent of NSBA but open to "all professional school board association personnel engaged in policy service or having any supervisory responsibility for policy service personnel." [Article III, AASPS Bylaws, May 18, 1985].
At that same meeting, Scott was elected chair; Humphrey, vice-chair; and Funk, secretary.
1986—Lexington, Kentucky
Twenty-nine participants from 19 states and Don Blom and Mike Eader, both representing NSBA, attended the May 23–24 AASPS meeting. Program topics were as before with additional sessions on legal review of policy, liability, staffing/job descriptions, and meetings with boards and superintendents. Specific policy issues included the Hatch Amendment, the Fair Labor Standards Act, Equal Access, AIDS/Communicable Diseases, and student discipline.
At the annual business meeting, Scott announced the formation (at NSBA's request for an exploration of common ground between NSBA and AASPS for a "committee to address national school board policy issues." Members included Don Calderon (New Jersey), chair; Leopardi; Humphrey; Funk; Jacque Cowherd (Missouri); Henry Johnson (North Carolina); Greta Gardner (Ohio); Barbara Hippensteel (Pennsylvania); Elizabeth Warren (South Carolina); and Dick Smith (Texas). This committee met at NSBA offices in September and, in what was characterized as a "very productive meeting," discussed cooperation and collaboration between AASPS and NSBA on a number of areas.
The session also focused on changes pending in NSBA's direct-affiliate program, NSBA's AIDS grant submission, and NSBA's linking with AASPS resources in providing generalized policy services. At the conclusion, Humphrey became AASPS chair; Funk, vice-chair; and Leopardi, secretary.
1987—Chicago, Illinois
Meeting on May 28–30, the Chicago conference drew 37 participants from 24 states and 3 representatives of NSBA. Apart from a cruise on Lake Michigan and a falling elevator, conference highlights included current policy issues: substance abuse, teen suicide, "at-risk" students, First Amendment rights, textbook and curriculum decision making, and communicable diseases. The program also included a wide range of service delivery topics as well: liability, service planning, staffing, style and format, presentation planning, staff management and production schedules, database management, marketing, and fee schedules.
The conference also included a report on NSBA's attempt to assess the level and kind of services provided by the various state associations and, prior to the start of the conference, an exploratory meeting of the committee formed the previous May.
Officers elected for the following year were Funk, chair; Leopardi, vice-chair; and Don McAlister (Tennessee), secretary.
1988—Kansas City, Missouri
The fourth annual AASPS meeting was held on May 19–21. Thirty-two policy staffers from 23 states and 3 NSBA representatives attended. Topics included marketing, service job descriptions, contract services, service management, "system" management, services for other entities, policy workshops, policy and regulations, and labor relations.
Scott's presentation included results of a survey he had conducted of state policy services staffing patterns. Of particular note was a presentation by Dr. Daniel R. Davies, co-creator of the alpha coding structure forming the basis for the manuals of NSBA and several of the state associations. Officers elected for the following year were Leopardi, chair; McAlister, vice-chair; and Calderon, secretary.
1989—San Francisco, California
Forty-five "policy types" from 22 states and 6 NSBA representatives attended the May 18–20 annual conference. The conference agenda supplemented the core topics with a discussion of education reform, conflict resolution and decision-making, and the impact of collective bargaining on policy. The conference was also the first AASPS meeting to devote a segment of the meeting to demonstrations of technology and showcased CSBA's GAMUT CD-ROM policy project.
Officers for the following year were McAlister, chair; Calderon, vice-chair; and Smith, secretary.
1990—Nashville, Tennessee
Forty policy staffers from 22 states and 3 NSBA staff members attended the May 17–19 meeting. In addition to the obligatory riverboat ride (and, for some, the Grand Ole Opry), the meeting addressed a variety of emerging policy issues: site-based management, the Kentucky reorganization, the Chicago governance model, and choice. Service specifics were dealt with in miniclinics: training workshops, delivery systems, marketing, and budget development.
The conference ended with a demonstration and discussion of the Texas diskette-based alternative to hard copy manuals ("Policy On Line").
During the conference, Smith and Adria Thomas (NSBA) provided participants with results of a survey they had undertaken of the types and kinds of services being offered. The survey updated and expanded the information gathered by NSBA (and provided at the Chicago meeting) and attempted to gather feedback regarding the value and utilization of various NSBA policy-related services.
Thomas and Susan Barto (NSBA) reported on NSBA's effort to refocus its services, an effort assisted by AASPS members generally and by a committee consisting of Calderon, Funk, Leopardi, McAlister, Scott, and Smith. Scott suggested that AASPS consider the possibility of affiliating with NSBA because NSBA policy-related services had been redirected to complement the efforts of the state associations. The steering committee was charged with the task of considering the proposal and, if appropriate, drafting a bylaws change to be considered at the 1991 meeting.
Officers for the following year were Calderon, chair; Smith, vice-chair; and Liz Warren (South Carolina), secretary.
1991—Wildwood Crest, New Jersey
Forty-nine representatives of 23 state associations and two NSBA representatives found their way to the "Jersey shore" for the May 16–18 meeting. In addition to the usual mix of "cracker barrels," the conference addressed such policy issues as censorship, gangs and violence in the schools, affirmative action, sexual harassment, student and staff drug testing, site-based management, and religion in schools. The program also focused on service-related topics: service costing/pricing, workshops and policy training, development of manuals for groups of districts, and strategic planning for policy services.
At the annual meeting, participants considered a bylaws amendment that would have designated AASPS as an affiliate of NSBA. The amendment narrowly failed to get the 2/3 majority required by the bylaws.
Officers elected for the following year were Smith, chair; Warren, vice-chair; and Sarah Jane Gilliland (Colorado), secretary.
1992—San Antonio, Texas
Forty-one participants from 20 states and 2 representatives of NSBA attended the May 28–30 annual conference. This conference introduced "early bird" sessions: two-hour clinics for early arrivers. Three such sessions were offered—a simulated policy workshop, a "building from scratch" session, and a presentation on special education. Policy issues addressed within the regular program included site-based decision-making, year-round schools, the Americans with Disabilities Act, gangs/cults/hate groups, and sexual harassment. The conference included a Saturday afternoon demo of Texas's new Oracle/Interleaf/Sun production system.
At the annual business meeting, participants approved the establishment of a Bylaws Review Committee, chaired by Smith, to address bylaws issues that had arisen since they were first adopted.
Participants also approved a resolution expressing intent for AASPS to become an affiliate of NSBA and instructing AASPS leadership to present this as a bylaws change for adoption at the 1993 annual meeting.
Officers elected for the following year were Warren, chair; Gilliland, vice-chair; and Mary Gannon (Iowa), secretary.
1993—Charleston, South Carolina
Forty staff members from 23 states and three staff members from NSBA convened for the June 10–12 meeting. Jump-started with mint juleps and carriage tours—after an early bird clinic on policy development/administrative procedures, the conference focused on religion in the schools, religious advocacy, site-based management, and board micromanagement.
During the conference, Warren shared with participants the results of a survey update she had recently completed. She noted that the absence of a common vocabulary made such surveys less than reliable, but the results suggested significant expansion of services within several of the state associations.
At the annual business meeting, participants approved six major changes to the bylaws:
Officers elected for the following year were Gilliland, president; Gannon, president-elect; and Gail Perkins (Oregon), secretary.
1994—Vail, Colorado
Thirty-seven representatives of 19 states and 4 NSBA staff members attended the June 2–4 conference. An early bird roundtable on marketing kicked off the conference. Policy issues addressed during the conference included "hate speech," violence, and gangs; political correctness in policy language; HIV/AIDS awareness; driver drug testing; charter schools; and untapped markets for services.
Officers elected for the following year were Gannon, president; Perkins, president-elect; and Gardner, secretary.
1995—Dubuque, Iowa
Twenty-eight policy staffers from 20 states and 3 NSBA representatives met on June 8–10. Early bird sessions focused on bus driver alcohol/drug testing and on a demonstration of Missouri's new operating system. Conference topics included diversity, Internet policies, special education, and rights of non-custodial parents. Cracker barrels on technology and school safety rounded out the program.
Officers elected for the following year were Perkins, president; Gardner, president-elect; and Barbara Norby (North Dakota), secretary.
1996—Portland, Oregon
Twenty-three states were represented at the May 30–June 1 conference. Total attendance was 44 policy staffers from the state associations and 4 from NSBA. Early bird sessions continued to emphasize policy workshops and utilization of technology. The regular program centered on a mix of policy and service delivery issues: job descriptions, Section 504, attendance policies, marketing/restructuring, choice/charter schools, and visionary aspects of policy.
At the annual business meeting, participants discussed the possibility of a meeting, tied to annual meetings, with association trainers and association attorneys. Those attending agreed that scheduling was a virtually insurmountable problem but AASPS members were very willing to offer policy-related programs during the trainers' annual conference.
Participants further agreed that an add-on session, specifically for AASPS participants who were also lawyers, might be worthwhile.
Officers elected for the following year were Gardner, president; Donn Williams (Arizona), president-elect; and Jan Watson (Missouri), secretary.
1997—Columbus, Ohio
Held on June 5–7, the meeting drew 41 policy staffers from 24 states and marked the addition of a pre-conference session for AASPS attorneys. Conference sessions included a workshop on utilizing technology as well as a "show us your Web page" exploration of how various policy services were using Internet technology. Other sessions included efforts to move policy from compliance-based to visionary, translating policy into practice, supplemental services, and student discipline.
Officers elected for the following year were Williams, president; Watson, president-elect; and Karen McNamara (New York), secretary.
1998—Phoenix, Arizona
Forty-one policy staffers from 26 states and 4 representatives of NSBA attended the June 11–13 conference. Early bird sessions were devoted to "policy [writing] basics" and a panel discussion explicating a survey of policy services conducted by Williams.
Conference breakout sessions included uniforms, testing and standards, technology policies, Web resources, the Carver governance model, charter schools, home schooling issues, and zero-tolerance policies. Other topics included a progress report on the five-state (Maine, California, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Washington) policy project announced in Portland and presentations and discussion of the new IDEA regs.
Officers elected for the following year were: Watson, president; McNamara, president-elect; and Dara Bass (Kentucky), secretary.
1999—Kansas City, Missouri
The June 3–5 meeting broke two records: the number of states represented (27) and the number of state association staff members attending (47). Also attending were 3 NSBA staff members. In lieu of the traditional "early bird" sessions, the conference kicked off with a new member orientation, followed in rapid order by a legal roundtable and cracker barrel. Ending the day was a panel discussion/cracker barrel on service development/delivery issues. Friday sessions included an NSBA presentation of the "Key Works" initiative, and the 5-state accountability/policy project. Breakout sessions included policy updating, harnessing technology, curriculum policy, advertising, school health issues, policy training workshops, school violence, and Megan's Law.
The conference wrapped up on Saturday with a presentation on new IDEA regulations and their policy implications, followed by the annual business meeting. Officers elected for the following year were McNamara, president; Bass, president-elect; and Smith, secretary.
2000—Saratoga Springs, New York
Fifty-one policy staffers (a new high) from 26 states tested the waters at Saratoga Springs June 8–10. They were joined by 3 NSBA representatives who provided an update on federal issues, participants took in sessions on school safety, metal detectors/canine searches, open government law/electronic communication, distance learning, harassment, student Web pages, and Iowa's "school improvement matrix." Service delivery issues addressed included liability, funding, Web utilization, and on-line policy manuals.
At the annual business meeting, an amendment to the bylaws—clarifying the succession of officers— was approved. Officers elected for the ensuing year were: Bass, president; Julie Slavens (Indiana), president-elect; and Elizabeth Kaleva (Montana), secretary.
2001—Lexington, Kentucky
The Kentucky conference represented another banner year for AASPS with 56 policy staffers from 28 states gathering in Lexington on June 14–16. The group was joined by 4 NSBA representatives who provided an update on federal issues and a roundtable session on safe/supportive school environments and a brainstorming session on the policy implications of online courses. Other policy-related sessions focused on school security issues, harassment/discrimination, facility usage, the Carver model, and the IDEA reauthorization. On the service delivery side were sessions on policy training, Web-based manuals, service development, and Web utilization.
At the annual business meeting closing the conference, Slavens succeeded Bass as president. Officers elected for the coming year were Smith, president-elect, and Charlotte Bates (Maine), secretary.
2002—Indianapolis, Indiana
While post-9/11/01 travel and financial restraints badly affected attendance, the Indiana meeting was nonetheless an information-rich conference. Leading off with a service issues cracker barrel and hot health topics for policymakers, the 37 participants—from 24 states and NSBA—fashioned their own conference curriculum from 10 special interest breakouts over the next day and a half: marketing/expanding policy services, the interplay of collective bargaining agreements and employment policy, ESEA (NCLBA) issues, an update on the Five-State Project, an exploration of Internet policies, a school board policy-based agenda, an update on state association efforts to implement the Carver model, Internet policy manual delivery, a reprise of the Web utilization survey, and extended-day learning opportunities.
At the annual business meeting closing the conference, Smith succeeded Slavens as president. Officers elected for the coming year were Bates, president-elect, and Bill Scharffe (Michigan), secretary. The conference also marked the retirement of Ken Scott (Kentucky), the last active founding member of the association, and for the first time in the organization's history, a post-conference assessment of attendees to pay hotel attrition charges.
2003—Santa Fe, New Mexico
The Santa Fe conference was another record setter...with 59 registrants from 29 states...and with a denser-than-usual program schedule. After an "early bird" session on policy training, the conference kicked off with a panel presentation centering on a heightened distinction between school district governance and management the effect of this distinction on board policy making and ended the day with NSBA's presentation on the legislative pipeline.
Monday and Tuesday both began with informal "breakfast fare" sessions in which participants shared insights regarding NCLBA issues and NSBA policy initiatives. Tuesday cracker barrels dealt with policy partnerships and with issues associated with service expansion. Between were breakouts on FERPA and HIPAA confidentiality issues, the Five-State Project, bullying/hazing, and board ethics and a large group presentation of key legal issues. The final half-day centered on technology: use of controlled access, electronic delivery alternatives, and web access to local policy manuals.
At the annual business meeting closing the conference, Smith elicited suggestions for strategies that the organization might pursue to obviate the need for post-conference cost assessments. Participants generally agreed that active recruitment of participants and a strong conference program were key, that no bylaws amendments were necessary to address revenue shortfalls, and that the president's responsibilities included ensuring that conference revenues—through registration fees and sponsorships—adequately funded conference costs.
Also at the business meeting, Bates succeeded Smith as president. Officers elected for the coming year were Scharffe, president-elect, and Sharon Fissel (Pennsylvania), secretary.
2004—Portland, ME
The promise of a lobster in every pot and a strong program drew 57 registrants from 30 states plus five NSBA staff members—another record-breaking conference in terms of total numbers. With an "early bird" training simulation on the five-state "Targeting Student Learning" project leading off, 2004 conference general sessions were dominated by a national perspective: NCLBA, FLSA, the federal pipeline, and religious expression in the schools...with a session on shaping training for adult audiences leavening the mix. Monday morning breakouts focused on policy delivery issues (service liability and the fuzzy line between policy and administrative procedure) while those on Monday afternoon dealt with substantive policy issues (hazing and cell phones/other electronic devices). An NSBA update led off Tuesday morning, followed by breakouts on the pros/cons of controlled access to policy service resources and on online publishing of policy manuals. Wrapping up the program was a cracker-barrel on developing/marketing new products and services.
At the annual business meeting closing the conference, Scharffe succeeded Bates as president. Officers elected for the coming year were Fissel, president-elect, and Kathy Talbert (Illinois), secretary.
2005—Traverse City, MI
"Policy types" from 26 states—50 total plus five NSBA staff members—gathered on the shores of Grand Traverse Bay to ponder things policy. An "early bird" session on the Iowa Lighthouse Study—exploring the relationship between school boards and student achievement—"jump-started" the conference. Sunday sessions included a "public policy" presentation by Dr. David Plank of the Education Policy Center, Michigan State University, and a crackerbarrel on "the most unique non-federal, non-budget issue in your state." Monday was packed...with the annual policy/legal update, an update on federal education issues, a session on the California "wellness policy" initiative, a board member training simulation on the value of policy, a special session for policy "newbies," a session on tobacco use prevention, and a Title IX update. Tuesday sustained the pace with a communications skills-building session, breakouts on extended day programs and on marketing policy services, and a closing session on religious expression in the schools.
At the annual business meeting concluding the conference, attendees discussed an "AASPS Mission Statement"—drafted at Scharffe's request by Bates, Slavens, and Williams—and agreed to its posting on the association's website for the coming year:
"The members of the American Association of State Policy Services provide guidance, mutual assistance, and continuing education for one another in our roles as policy and governance consultants to school boards association membership."
Judy Cias (California) introduced discussion about a possible joint meeting of the Trainer's Group with AASPS. Cias was asked to coordinate further discussions among AASPS members and the leadership of the Trainer's Group.
Also, at that meeting, Fissel succeeded Scharffe as president. Officers elected for the coming year were Talbert, president-elect, and Paul Getto (Kansas), secretary.
2006—Gettysburg, PA
With more than 200 years of history—and only one ghost sighting and a visit from “Honest Abe”—as backdrop, 64 registrants—representing 32 states and NSBA—gathered at the Gettysburg Hotel to explore history (each attendee carrying the standard for a Civil War soldier) and things policy.
Leading off the program was an update on the Iowa Lighthouse Study and sessions on board member ethics/standards of conduct and preparing for pandemics. Sunday concluded with a cracker barrel on unique policy issues in each participating state, dinner at the historic Fairfield Inn, and, for the intrepid, a ghost tour of Gettysburg. The Monday schedule included a “wellness” focus group, an update on current legal issues, an exploration of district authority regarding off—campus behavior, an update on federal issues, implementation of “wellness policies” and breakouts on environmental issues, the “65% solution” and adolescent literacy. Tuesday sessions included coping with change, the policy/training connection, writing the book on policy, and distinguishing between policy and administrative regulation.
At the annual business meeting closing the conference, members amended the bylaws to replace the mission of the organization, as defined by the bylaws, with the mission statement adopted in 2005 for the AASPS web site (see above). Other bylaws changes adopted included specifications that (1) under normal circumstances, the president’s school board association will host the annual meeting; (2) the secretary will maintain the written history of the association, and (3) the nominating committee shall consist of three past presidents, if possible, and—as noted elsewhere in the bylaws—shall be chaired by the immediate past president.
Also, at the meeting, Talbert succeeded Fissel as president. Officers elected for the coming year were Paul Getto (Kansas), president-elect, and Cias, secretary.
2007—Chicago, IL
This Chicago meeting drew a record attendance of 80 state association staff, National School Boards Association (NSBA) staff, presenters and sponsors. State Association staff represented 33 state associations from across the country.
The conference began with an Early Bird Workshop, "Monitoring District Performance," and a Welcome Luncheon for first-time attendees. Programming included General Sessions on Supreme Court News and School Law Trends for Policy-writers, Policy Craft 501: The Art and Science of Drafting Board Policy, You Can't Ignore the 800 Pound Gorilla, Cyberbullying and Technology Issues, The School Board's Policy Role in Financial Oversight, and Federal Regulations and Congressional Updates . Breakout sessions followed several tracks: Policy and Student Achievement; The Business of Policy Services; and Policy Issues, such as The Board's Role in Curriculum and Understanding the Changes in Special Education. And, of course, the ever popular Crackerbarrel asked for each state's most unique, non-federal, non-budget issue of 2007 and/or any new services offered by each state.
Networking opportunities included the Hospitality Suite and the Welcome Dinner and Reception. Planned entertainment at the reception and dinner was provided by the Neuqua Valley High School String Quartet. Unplanned entertainment was provided by "Hollywood Comes to Chicago." The movie, "Wanted," starring Angelina Jolie was in filming immediately outside the Hyatt Hotel on two evenings during the conference, providing an opportunity for all to watch exciting, high speed car chases and low-flying helicopters and to experience the size and scope of such a production on the streets of Chicago.
Conference sponsors included MicroScribe Publishing Inc., Content Solutions, National School Boards Association (NSBA), Illinois Council of School Attorneys and Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB.)
At the annual business meeting, attendees discussed and voted unanimously to plan and hold a conference in 2009 that would overlap and provide some joint programming with the National Leadership Training Conference (NSBA Federation Trainers Conference.) Also at the business meeting, Getto succeeded Talbert as AASPS President. Officers elected for the coming year were Judy Cias, President-elect, and Elizabeth Ewing, Secretary.
2008—Lawrence, KS
Fifty-one people attended from twenty-seven states.
Topics covered on the agenda included:
School Security; The Shootings at Virginia Tech and FERPA and security concerns for schools; School Law Trends: Past, Present and Future; the traditional “Crackerbarrel” session which included legal and policy updates from the various states represented; Population and Demographic Issues for Schools; Measuring Customer Satisfaction, a self-study done by the Illinois Association; Student “Personal Curriculum” plans; A Federal regulations update by Lisa Soronen, NSBA; Policy 2050 – Where or Where has the Future Gone?--A session on possible futures and technology; A “Table Talk” session sponsored by volunteers so AASPS members could discuss topics of mutual interest and share ideas; A Federal Legislative Update by NSBA staff; Health Across America-discussion of various health initiatives by state level and NSBA staff; and Immigration and Schools: Issues and Discussion. The meeting concluded with the Annual Business Meeting when . Kelli Hopkins from Missouri was elected AASPS Secretary and will enter the officer rotation.
Meeting in a smaller community of 80,000 seemed to work reasonably well and the participants enjoyed Lawrence and the surrounding area during their visit.
2009—Chicago, IL
For the first time, a joint conference was held with the National Federation Trainers Group, bringing together policy services and training staff together to meet, talk and share ideas about how both groups can better work together to provide high quality services to school board members. Hosted by the California School Boards Association and the Illinois Association of School Boards, the AASPS conference had over 88 attendees, representing 31 states and the National School Boards Association. Of those 88 attendees, 18 were first-time attendees to the AASPS conference, many of them trainers who were attending both conferences. Over 135 trainers and policy services staff participated in the joint day of programming.
The conference began with an update on federal regulations and a legal update. Other sessions included “Teachers Gone Wild: Using Policy to Reduce Sexual Misconduct by Staff” and breakout sessions on marketing and client retention in bad budget times, marketing to executive assistants, student health, optional policies, and a natural disasters tool kit. During the crackerbarrel session, attendees shared good things happening in their state or new services being offered by their state association.
The keynote speaker for the joint day of programming was David Zach, a trained futurist, who gave a very thought-provoking address on fads vs. trends vs. principles and how each impacts decision-making. David then helped facilitate a discussion about association “members of the future” and what those members would need and expect from their association and how staff need to learn to “think into other boxes” and approach decision-making from a perspective that values differing points of view. In the afternoon, attendees broke into small groups to discuss some key questions focused around preparing associations for the future, leveraging opportunities, and helping to ensure that locally-elected school boards remain viable.
The hospitality suite and dinner with the trainers group provided opportunities for networking and getting to know each other and share ideas. Conference sponsors included MicroScribe Publishing Inc., Content Solutions, and the National School Boards Association.
At the annual business meeting, Elizabeth Ewing from Virginia succeeded Judy Cias as AASPS President. Officers elected for the upcoming year were Kelli Hopkins, President-elect, Missouri, and Joe Brott from Montana. Elizabeth Ewing announced the dates and location for the 2010 Conference as Monday June 7-Wednesday June 9 at the Omni Hotel in Charlottesville, VA.