Members of the ASBSD Board of Directors believe a dues increase is justified provided the organization has done everything it can to reduce costs.

The board gave initial approval to a plan to increase member dues during their regular meeting, held Jan. 10 in Pierre. Under the plan, dues to the association could increase several hundred dollars.

The decision comes six months after the board asked staff to review the association’s dues structure and research how other state school board associations are funded. The study is part of an effort to stabilize association finances – a process that began in earnest when the association had to budget $80,000 from reserves to balance the current year’s budget.

Results of the dues study were presented at the fall ASBSD Region Meetings and during the ASBSD Delegate Assembly. Board members said feedback gathered following membership meetings indicated support for a dues increase.

“Everyone I talked to understood the need to increase dues,” said Charles Shupick, a school board member from Eagle Butte. “People understand they’re getting a lot of services for the money.”

Even though board members endorsed the tentative plan, final action won’t come until May, when the board adopts the organization’s FY10 budget. In the interim, directors want staff to recommend ways to cut costs and achieve efficiencies without sacrificing essential programs.

“I think we’ve made a case to our members and I support the plan,” said Neil Putnam, member of the Mitchell Board of Education. “But we need to make sure we explore all our options before we move forward.”

Strengthening core programs

As the organization progresses through budget talks, board members asked staff to remain focused on strengthening core services, including the GAVEL board development initiative that offers member training.

“It’s critically important that we continue to make progress on board training programs,” said ASBSD President Duane Alm, a member of the Aberdeen Board of Education. “Public education is changing rapidly, and school board members must be positioned to provide leadership at the local level.”

ASBSD Board Member Charles Shupick, Eagle Butte Board of Education, discusses association dues at the ASBSD Board of Directors meeting held Jan. 10 in Pierre.