USBA's Strategic Goals and Action Plans

Vision Statement

Utah School Boards Association: Building Strong Locally Elected School Boards

Mission Statement

The Utah School Boards Association shall provide:

• Leadership
• Advocacy
• Training
• Quality services for effective school board governance

Child Advocacy Statement

The members of the Utah School Boards Association are advocates for all children in Utah's public schools. As advocates, we will ensure that:

• Every child has access to the education needed to become a contributing, productive member of society
• We are leaders in educating the citizens of Utah on the issues facing public education
• We actively engage all contributing partners:
  • Students
  • Parents
  • Educators
  • Community
  • Business
  • Government

USBA Belief Staatements

1. Public education is the foundation of our democratic republic.
2. Public education's success depends on public support.
3. A sustained financial commitment is essential.
4. Locally-elected school boards best represent local educational needs.
5. Effective local school boards positively influence student achievement.
6. Student achievement is further enhanced when parents, students, and the educational community work together.
7. Collaboration of education and community services are essential to meet the needs of all students.
8. Multiple land use provides funding for public education.
9. Legislation should be based upon statesmanship, not on the desire to promote an individual, state or federal agenda.

Advocacy for Children

As school board members we must be effective advocates for all children.

Action Plan 1

Board Members

• Emphasize the value of public education in Utah
• Improve student achievement
• Strengthen public communication

Action Plan 2

Community Engagement:

• Facillitate multiple education, business, and community organizations in advocacy efforts
• Develop a public relations campaign on the role of school boards
• Develop next steps to "What Counts"

Action Plan 3

Legislatvie Services:

• Identify needs
  • Coordinate our efforts with those of USSA and USABO
  • Create legislation
    • Establish a task force to study public education funding and initiate legislation to regain local board autonomy
    • Strengthen the Constitutional provisions requiring each bill to stand on its own merits
• Legislative contacts:
  • Attend local caucuses and mass meetings
  • Initiate year-round communication with all legislators
  • Involve legislators in local school events
• Local board involvement:
  • Educate boards on the legislative process
  • Continue email updates, calls-to-action, etc.

Board Development

Our goal is to provide leadership training for local board members to meet the needs of every child in every district.

Action Plan 1

We Focus on:

• Student achievement
• Community involvement
• Values and goals

Action Plan 2

We believe in Collaboration with:

• Other districts and other states
• Other organizataions such as PTA, UEA, citites, counties, businesses
• Students, parents, teachers, school staff, and patrons, etc.

Action Plan 3

We use Training as a model for local boards for:

• Unity among members of the board
• "Coming to Order"
• Professioonalism
  • Civility
  • Code of Conduct—dress, speech, preparation, timeliness
  • Confidentiality
• Member services
• Legislative process
  • Delegate assembly process and position
  • Rapport and help during the legislative session

Action Plan 4

We stress Communication in an environment of trust through:

• USBA web site
• Other districts and local board members
• New board members
• Media
• Students, Parents, Educators, Community, Business, and Government

Member Services

To offer maximum support to our school districts, USBA will:

Action Plan 1

Continue to offer free and subsidized services to districts such as:

• Superintendent and business administrator services
• Board goal settings
• Board, superintendent, and business administrator evaluations
• Policy consultation services
• Collaboration among districts

Action Plan 2

Publicize services available to districts by:

• Producing media and marketing material as needed.
• Utilize USBA's web site as a source for current information and resources

Action Plan 3

Research and develop new programs that will provide revenue to allow USBA to continue to provide services to districts.