Horace Mann League, Winter Meeting, March 2, 2007, New Orleans
Walt Warfield, President, presiding

Roll call:  Members and guests present:

Present: Walt Warfield, Colleen Wilcox, Fred Hartmeister, James Anderson, Eric King, Gary Marks, Steve Rasmussen, Jerry Sellentin, Julie Underwood

Joe Hairston, John Monahan, Spike Jorgensen, Jack McKay

Absent: Richard Christi, Mark Edwards, George Garcia, Linda Darling-Hammond, Barry Lynn, Douglas Otto, Susan Purser

1. Approval of the June 2006, summer meeting:
Motion by Rasmussen, seconded by Sellentin, to approve the June 26027, 2006, minutes of the Board of Directors’ meeting in Chicago.
Passed

2. Update on corporate partners –
Motion by Jorgensen, seconded by Wilcox, that Past President Warfield to carry on further discussions with Horace Mann Insurance about the distribution of Horace Mann prints.  Report on progress to be made at the June meeting.

Motion by Jorgensen, seconded by Wilcox, that a committee be formed to explore and develop “talking points” on the benefits of corporate partnerships for the partner and the Horace Mann League.  Committee members are:  Colleen Wilcox (chair), Julie Underwood, Steve Rasmussen, Walt Warfield, John Monahan, and Eric King.

1. 3. Legal issue – Fred Hartmeister and Julie Underwood
2. 4. Legal Defense Fund – Julie Underwood
   Reviewed a variety of legal defense funds and how the Horace Mann League might become more aggressive on legal issues.
3. 5. Membership and Future Recruiting plans – Jack McKay
   Motion by Sellentin, seconded by Rasmussen, to increase the dues from $50 to $55 per year.
4. 7. Progress on the book, School Funding Equity – Spike Jorgensen
   Reviewed progress on manuscript.  Will have tentative publishing information at the summer board meeting.

8. Reviewed the approved mission and benefits of membership of the Horace Mann League

• What is the clear vision of the HML?

1. Strengthen the purpose and image of public education.
2. Promote the separation of church and state – particularly in public schools
3. Promote federal funding of public education – with state control of spending

What is the value of being a member of the HML?

1. Part of a unifying voice on the purpose and value of strong public educational systems.
2. Represent public education in legal issues involving the separation of church and state – relating to public schools.
3. Recognize individuals and groups that contribute to the strengthening of public education through leadership, funding, and research.

9. 2007 Proposed Budget – Jack McKay

Motion by Wilcox, Seconded by Anderson, to approve the 2007 proposed budget.  Passed
10. Legal Status of the HML – Jack McKay

• Originally chartered in Delaware in 1922
• Later in Maryland 1925
• The Horace Mann League Foundation in Nebraska in 2000.
• Non Profit organization with Federal Tax ID # 52-6054490

1. 11. Horace Mann display & scheduling – Doug Otto, Steve Rasmussen, Colleen Wilcox and Fred Hartmeister
2. 12. Results of the 2006 Annual Survey on School Improvement

• Highlights:  (146 participants)

Question:  What would you consider to be the BEST indicator of “school improvement” for your community?

–      Response: 78%
Academic Achievement: Improving student achievement and annual academic growth results

Question: What are the two or three factors that most inhibits, frustrates, and/or limits your efforts to improve the public schools of your community?

Response:

(54%) The inability of the legislature to adequately fund the public schools of the state.

(46%) The inability of either federal or state policy makers to adequately fund mandated programs.

(26%) The inability of parents to become seriously involved and committed to their child’s academic success.

Question: If you had the resources (political skills, funding, persuasive skills, support of the key participants, etc.), what would you MOST want to be involved in accomplishing during your professional CAREER?

Response: (42%) Public Education First: Establishing the support and understanding that the public schools are the most important responsibility of our community.

1. 13. Agenda for the “Annual Meeting” (and future relationship with the Suburban School Superintendents)
2. Agenda for the “Summer” board meeting in San Jose

a. Future relationship with the Suburban School Superintendents Association – Board representation
b. Corporate benefits
c. Recruitment update and strategies
d. Membership dues structure
e. Book publishing update
f. Nomination of directors and officers
g. Pending legal issues
h. Initiatives for legal representation
i. Annual meeting agenda
j. Executive director’s compensation
k.