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December 3, 2018 EDCAL   3 a publication of acsa’s member services and  member assistance and legal support team | volume 40 Small school districts face unique challenges According to data, nearly three quar- ters of California’s 1,000 school districts are defined as being small and having an ADA of less than 2,500. In line with that is ACSA’s membership, where a significant amount of the regular members we serve belong to small schools, which are often found in rural and remote areas that isolate them from the main stream. Because of these conditions, intentional support for the small school district leader is necessary. That’s where ACSA’s committee for Small School Districts comes in – a group of educational leaders who come together three times a year to discuss current and potential challenges and brainstorm sup- portive solutions that can be implemented by the organization. “As a small school district superinten- dent, I face challenges that are unique and apart from my peers in larger sized school districts and this committee is focused on providing the structure of support, net- working and professional development for leaders in the same position,” said Mary McNeil, superintendent of Needles USD and chair of ACSA’s Small School Districts Committee. McNeil is also ACSA’s 2018 Superintendent of the Year. ACSA’s Small School Districts Com- mittee represents more than 600 small schools in the state when it comes to issues that relate to the uniqueness of their size. “The SSDC has a strong relationship with ACSA lobbyist Martha Alvarez, who helps to weigh in and carry issues forward that would have an adverse effect on small school districts,” said Rich Malfatti, ACSA staff liaison and a former small school district superintendent himself. “Our committee has developed rela- tionships with ACSA Advocates to share our unique perspectives with legislators and elected officials so that there is an understanding of our needs in Sacramento,” McNeil said. “Committee members have participated in hearings and discussions with legislators and other government officials on issues that most recently have included the criteria for the acceptance of out-of-state credentials and issues involved with the CTC mandatory reporting of misconduct for educators.” ACSA’s Small School Districts Com- mittee provides the pathway of opportunity for our small school district leaders to impact California policy and practice that uniquely affect them, their students, their families and their communities. “One of the biggest achievements by the committee was the influence it had on re- shaping testing results and communicating them to parents and community members,” Malfatti said. “Having the advantage of being able to use the many resources that State ACSA has while being in the posi- tion of small school district superintendent is invaluable.” The SSDC also provides valuable pro- fessional development opportunities at the annual ACSA Superintendents Symposium by ensuring the inclusion of a small district strand. “These workshops provide an opportu- nity to strategize and network with others who “wear many hats” while completing the same reports, meeting the same levels of expectations and doing more with less,” McNeil said. Other noteworthy efforts of ACSA’s SSDC include facilitating the relationship between CSBA’s Small School District Council and the Small School District Association Executive Committee.  For more information about ACSA’s Small School District Committee activities and to reach committee representatives, please go to our website at www.acsa.org/ About and select the tab for Committees and Councils. ACSA Ambassadors at work ACSA Region 5 Ambassador Brian Lee, right, paid a visit to Presidio Middle School Assistant Principal Victor Small in SFUSD. ACSA delivers fire donations ACSA members have once again displayed their benevolence by helping Par- adise, CA Camp Fire victims through the co-branded ACSA-United Way Northern California donation links. The Paradise community was leveled by the fire and reports say that 14,000 homes were inciner- ated, including those of 5,500 students and their families and nearly all the educators residing in the area. United Way Northern California De- velopment Director Jacob Peterson states, “Through the mobile cause platform, we have been able to raise more than $87,000.” A special ACSA link for donations affecting members in the Ventura fire was also distributed. All the donations will be used to provide emergency cash assistance to families who lost their homes. ACSA’s United Way Links can be found on our website home page at www.acsa.org or you can text donations to the following: Paradise Camp Fire: Text BUTTEFIRE to 91999; Ventura Fire (ACSA Region 13 and 14): UWVCACSA to 41444. Join ACSA’s Crisis Support Network In addition, ACSA is also developing a support group network for members who have lost a home during any of the recent disasters dating back to 2015. The goal of the network is for members to be able to share their experiences, ask each other questions, and allow survivors to provide any knowledge they may have about what to expect next. Members interested in join- ing the support group should fill out the form found on the ACSA website at www. acsa.org/MemberServices. The network is for members only. Update your profile L-R, Rodriguez High School Principal Clarence Isadore, ACSA Senior Director of Member Services Margarita Cuizon-Armelino, and Rodriguez HS Assistant Principal Gary Hiner. ACSA Region 15 Ambassador Lorraine King, back row far left, posed with leaders from Castaic Union School District and Castaic Middle School. “I value my membership with ACSA, because I am able to connect with other educational leaders who understand my experiences from the classroom to the county office of education. I have developed lifelong friendships I will value for the rest of my life. ACSA provides professional learning, which is my rejuvenation for the work I do every day.” Gethsemane Moss Senior Director, Community Engagement Solano County Office of Education Help us make sure your records are accurate by updating your member profile. Simply go to www.acsa.org and click Login.