ASBSD President Daune Alm outlined broad areas in which he believes the association should progress in the coming year. Alm made the statements during the ASBSD Board Meeting, held in Pierre on January 10.

• ASBSD needs to continue its active leadership role and strong force in securing a long term solution for adequate funding for education in South Dakota. This is a high priority for ASBSD and all of South Dakota. In the recent ASBSD/Zogby K-12 public education poll, 46 percent of voters say lack of funding is the biggest problem facing K-12 schools.
• We must continue our work to instill in others (especially in government) that local boards are effective leaders in education. In the poll, 77 percent of South Dakota voters trust school boards to make decisions on education.
• It is most important that ASBSD continues to provide ongoing board development opportunities (e.g. our excellent GAVEL program) so that boards and leadership teams can improve and govern better. Future training should include multi-media platforms, including online and DVD formats. More than 85 percent of South Dakota voters agree that districts should invest in training for board members.
• We should establish a dues structure that more accurately reflects the high levels of service ASBSD provides.
• It is essential that we continue to partner with the legislature, the Department of Education, SASD, SDEA and SD PTA to advocate for policies and procedures that positively impact student achievement.
• I would like to see our Board of Directors increase their networking efforts and dialogue with fellow board members in their region.
• We are pleased to be able to update our association’s current strategic plan – mission, vision and beliefs - which we will start in February. This update will enable us to better serve our member schools and further impact student achievement and the 21st century skills needed for their success. The update shows our willingness to make change when needed and provides a roadmap for the association and its goals.
• We must continue to explore and develop policies and procedures to help local boards engage their local community.
• I would like to see the ASBSD Executive Committee increase its involvement in our eight-state Western Region, as well as the National School Board Association. We have the leadership talent and expertise in our association to serve in the various capacities of these organizations.
• Although there will always be budget limitations, priorities will have to be set in ASBSD. A balanced budget should remain a priority for the association.