Product of the Month: BoardBook

BoardBook solves a challenge facing your district--and every district--how to manage the paper devoted to board meeting agenda packets. BoardBook is an electronic agenda-preparation tool that you access through your Web browser. Several districts have already signed on to use BoardBook and are saving time and money. To find out how BoardBook can streamline your board meetings, contact Erin Kinch, ekinch@masb.org, 517.327.5935.

Guide to MASB Board of Director Candidates

Ballots for the 2008-09 MASB Board of Director elections have been mailed, and are due to MASB no later than 1 p.m. on Sept. 3. Click on the link above for a guide to this year's candidates.

2008-09 CBA Handbook Now Available

The 2008-09 CBA Handbook is now available online and a copy has been mailed to each member. Click on the link above to view the class schedule and course descriptions, and start planning your development for the year.

MASB Introduces New Survey Service

MASB is excited to announce a new service to meet your survey needs. Surveys are an effective, efficient way to gauge community perceptions and provide data on which to base your decisions. Our survey service saves you time and money by allowing MASB's knowledgeable staff to create research-based, customized survey questions; disseminate the survey; analyze results; and provide recommendations. It's also an effective way to conduct anonymous, confidential surveys from a trusted outside source, which helps increase the credibility of your survey.

New! A School Board Member's Resource Guide: First Year Orientation

MASB is excited to introduce a new resource for board members. MASB has developed this guide to help prepare new board members for the complex task of serving on a board of education, and to serve as a refresher for veteran board members. The guide holds a wealth of information to guide new board members including information on the legal authority of school boards, roles and responsibilities of the board of education, the board-superintendent team, attributes of a successful school board member and much, much more. Click on the link above to download your free copy.

Members Assisting Peers Available to Facilitate Orientation Sessions

MASB's mentors, the Members Assisting Peers, are trained, prepared and available to facilitate a new board member orientation in your local district or through your ISD. To schedule an orientation session, contact Olga Holden, 517.327.5906, oholden@masb.org. To learn about the mentors, click on the link above.

Trained Board Members Save Money

MASB is happy to introduce a new video to help communicate the importance of school board member training. Click on the link above to watch the video and learn what the public really thinks about board member training.

What Do I Get From MASB?

The benefits of membership with MASB are many. Your membership with MASB gives you a leadership advantage by offering you the opportunity to gain the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective decision maker for your district. For more on what membership with MASB means, click on the link above.

The Bargaining Toolkit for School Districts

Click on the link above to download a free resource manual for school districts. The toolkit will help you improve negotiations in your district.

Building Blocks of High Performing Schools

For New Board Members