American Association Of School Administrators - 1995 Annual Report

School Administrator, March, 1996

Membership Strength

At the December Running-the-Store Conference, executive directors of state associations of school administrators, AASA executive staff, and the president and president-elect of AASA discussed the topic "Who's store is it?" That effort and others, such as the AASA Committee on State/National Relations are expected to build on already strong relationships between AASA and state affiliate associations.

Many AASA members serve on key advisory committees focusing on small/rural schools, suburban schools, urban schools, principals/site administrators, federal policy and legislation, instructional leadership and technology, leadership, membership and services, minority affairs, women administrators, and state/national relations. These committees, in addition to the Foundation Fund Board of Directors, the Board of Tellers, the Resolutions Committee, and the Delegate Assembly, advise the association on its programs and activities.

AASA is represented as a member of the Forum of Educational Organization Leaders and the Educational Leaders Consortium, two loose-knit organizations that bring together top leadership in elementary and secondary education. Working with FEOL, AASA and other education groups have been developing a national campaign on behalf of education and children. The association is also a founding member of the Coalition for America's Children and provides leadership through many other organizations that address important education concerns both nationally and internationally.

Recognition of Excellence

Each year, AASA recognizes school leaders for their contributions to education and children. During 1995, Robert R. Spillane, superintendent of the Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia, was named National Superintendent of the Year. That program is co-sponsored by AASA and The ServiceMaster Company. Leadership for Learning Awards, co-sponsored by AASA and Teachers Insurance Annuity Association, were presented to Gene Brust, superintendent of Palominas Public Schools in Hereford, Ariz. (rural); Louis J. Baldassare, superintendent of Highlands School District, Natrona Heights, Pa. (suburban), and Gerald A. Croteau, superintendent of the Taunton Public Schools, Taunton, Mass. (urban). Former Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare John W. Gardner received the Golden Key Award. Distinguished Service Awards were presented to John Ellis, Robert Fox, Richard Gousha, Harry Galinsky, Gerald Hester, Nick Staresinic, and John Wargo. Sallie Mae First Class Teacher Awards also were presented to a number of outst anding first-year teachers. That program is co-sponsored by AASA and Sallie Mae. A special Discover Card Tribute Awards Program provides scholarships to students. That program, in partnership with Discover Card, is administered by AASA.

The association is governed by an 11-member Executive Committee. Homer Kearns, superintendent of the Salem-Keizer School District in Salem, Ore., became AASA president in March 1995, succeeding Roland Haun of Kentucky. During 1995, the Executive Committee, in addition to helping staff deal with financial concerns, adopted a position statement on school prayer; approved a new business membership; and approved an expansion of the Legal Support Program, working with state associations, and a resulting dues adjustment of $30. The Executive Committee also voted to support guidelines for development of teacher and administrator preparation, working with the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education; terminated the staff defined-benefit retirement plan; approved guidelines for endorsement of commercial programs, such as tax-sheltered annuities, offered as services of membership; discussed the future of AASA's conferences and professional development programs; and began work on possible bylaws chan ges that would transform AASA elections and campaigns, reducing their cost and bringing greater dignity to the process.