Believe! How South Carolina s public schools beat the odds to become #1 in the nation

SOUTH CAROLINA SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONVENTION FEB. 28 - MARCH 2, 2008 Abraham Lincoln to SC school boards: I am a firm believer in the people. Dr. Freeman A. Hrabowski, III, UMBC president and coauthor of Beating the Odds, speaks at 2008 SCSBA annual convention in Hilton Head, SC Jane Jenkins Herlong, author, speaker and beauty queen who believed Believe! How South Carolina s public schools beat the odds to become #1 in the nation Inside the 2008 SCSBA Annual Convention where the rallying cry was Believe! Believe and act as if it were impossible to fail. - Charles F. Kettering, inventor of the electric starter

General information Believe! 2008 SCSBA Annual Convention, Marriott Hotel, Hilton Head, SC, February 28 - March 2, 2008 ark your calendars and make plans to attend the South Carolina School Boards Association 2008 Annual Convention - the premiere leadership event of the year! Whether you re new to the board or a veteran, a board support professional or a superintendent, you ll hear from national and state education leaders who will motivate you to believe we can achieve and give you the tools you need to tackle and manage important issues in your school district. Pre-convention events include a workshop for new school board members and one for board chairs. There is valuable convention programming at every turn, including four high-profile and motivational general session speakers. Awards Dinner Program entertainment The Dent Steel Drum Band from Richland Two Schools performs at various civic events and are known not only for their quality of work, but for the enjoyment they exhibit while performing. Highlights New Board Orientation Thursday, February 28: If you were elected or appointed to the school board in the last year, you don t want to miss New Board Orientation from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Orientation takes the mystery out of being a new board member and gets you up to speed on your roles and responsibilities. There is no cost for new board members, who are required by state law to attend this session. All others must pay a $100 registration fee which includes lunch. This is your chance to comply with the state law, meet incoming new board members, and enjoy your first annual convention. Board Chair Workshop Thursday, February 28: As chairman, your role on the board takes on new dimensions. This workshop, which is also open to superintendents and other interested board members, is from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Workshop presenters will provide the tools you need to run effective meetings, set goals and evaluate the superintendent and build a better school board. The $100 registration fee includes lunch. General Sessions and Special Interest Workshops From the four general sessions to special interest workshops, the convention ad- 1 dresses student achievement, reaching diverse populations, effective board operations and innovative programs. Trade Show Take home a wealth of ideas and product information from the more than 70 exhibitors including architectural firms, food service providers, suppliers of instructional materials, and more. Trade show hours are Friday, 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Saturday, 7:30 a.m. until 12 p.m. Awards Dinner Program Saturday night will be an evening of celebration and entertainment. The dinner program features the Dent Steel Drum Band from Richland Two Schools. The band performs at various civic events and are not only known for their quality of work, but for the enjoyment they exhibit while performing. They consistently are awarded superior ratings at competitions and have performed at various events including the Sparkleberry Fair, SCASA Leadership Conference, the Student Loan Corporation, and Broadway at the Beach in Myrtle Beach. The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. - Eleanor Roosevelt, First Lady Mike at Nite! After dinner, conference attendees and their families can enjoy an evening of dancing and karaoke with DJ Mike Lockaby. Mike, known for entertaining at non-profit and corporate events statewide, has been a premiere DJ and on-air personality for more than 15 years. He doesn t just DJ, expect a show filled with fun and excitement and see it all on video monitors throughout the evening. For you with a song in your heart, gear up your vocal cords, grab the microphone and sing to your heart s content. Bring your dancing shoes and get ready for fun with Mike at Nite! NOTE: Each convention registration includes one dinner and awards program ticket. However, to guarantee a seat and receive your event ticket at registration, you must register in advance with your district secretary/clerk. A reserved seating form must be completed for each district to ensure reserved seating. SCSBA cannot guarantee that everyone from each district will be seated together if there are last minute additions or changes. We appreciate your help with this in advance. All other SCSBA members who want to be seated as a group, are asked to print and complete the Awards Program Reserved Seating Form available on the Training: Calendar Web page at scsba.org. Fax forms to Sandy Poole at 803.988.0810.

General information Extra Awards Dinner Tickets Additional tickets may be purchased for $50 each and must be included on the registration form, as well as on the district s reserved seating form. Boardmanship Institute Points New Board Orientation: 10 points and 5 hours Board Chair Workshop: 10 points and 5 hours SCSBA Annual Convention: 15 points and 14 hours Convention registration SCSBA s convention registration process is now conducted online as follows: school board members must contact their board secretary/clerk who will make convention registrations for all board members and district employees; all others can register by clicking on the Register Now link on the SCSBA Training: Calendar webpage at scsba.org. Registration paid in advance is $240 per person. If registering at the convention or if billing is requested, the fee is $250 per person. For more information, contact Sandy Poole, spoole@scsba.org, 1.800.326.3679. Gene Griessman, Ph.D. has written and co-authored seven books in addition to his one-man play on Abraham Lincoln. He often appears on television and radio, and his award-winning programs have aired on WCNN and TBS. For years he was host of Up Close on TBS. Cancellations Cancellations must be made in writing to SCSBA by February 15, 2008. No refunds are made after this date and the entire registration fee is charged. A fee of $25 is charged for any cancellation after the February 15 deadline. Convention hotel: Marriott on Hilton Head Island The convention site is the Marriott on Hilton Head Island. A daily room rate is available for $134, plus taxes/fees for single or double. To reserve your room, contact Marriott at 888.511.5086. Be sure to mention the SCSBA convention to receive the reduced rate. Deadline for room reservations is January 27 or when block is full, whichever comes first. If the convention hotel is full, overflow rooms are available at Hilton Oceanfront Resort, 23 Ocean Lane, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928. A daily room rate is available for $134 plus taxes and fees. Call 866.625.2496 or visit hiltonoceanfrontresort.com for room reservations. Use conference code SCB. Deadline for room reservations is Friday, February 1, 2008 or when block is full, whichever comes first. Cancellations for rooms must be made directly to the hotels. Please check the hotels cancellation policies. Directions Directions from I-95 South: Take SC Exit 8 (North and South), Highway 278, follow sign to Hilton Head and continue on Highway 278, approximately 18 miles to the bridge, stay to the right for business district and go another eight miles to Palmetto Dunes Resort. Turn left at the Palmetto Dunes traffic light. The Marriott is located one mile inside Palmetto Dunes. Turn left before the guard gate. 2

The agenda Convention at a glance Believe it can be done. When you believe something can be done, really believe, your mind will find the ways to do it. David Joseph Schwartz, author Thursday, February 28 Pre-Conference Workshops New Board Orientation 8 a.m. 4 p.m Attendance at the New Board Orientation on Thursday, may require a room reservation for Wednesday night. Workshop registration: No charge for new board members; $100 for all others (includes lunch). Objective: To focus on the roles and responsibilities of school board members. Thursday, February 28 8 8:30 a.m. Registration and Continental Breakfast 8:30 10:15 a.m. Understanding Roles and Responsibilities Setting the vision Establishing the structure and environment Identifying accountability measures and monitoring progress Being an advocate for schools and students Fostering positive board/superintendent relationships Adhering to a code of ethics Leni Patterson, NSBA Board of Directors, Laurens 55 board 10:30 a.m. 12 p.m. Ethics for Public Officials Cathy Hazelwood, Esquire, Assistant Director and General Counsel, State Ethics Commission 12:15 1:30 p.m. Lunch (included in registration) 1:30 2:45 p.m. School Finance 101 Allyson Duke, Director of Business, Dorchester Two Schools 3 4 p.m. School Law Primer Scott Price, Esquire, SCSBA General Counsel Board Chair Workshop 8 a.m. 4 p.m Attendance at the Board Chair Workshop on Thursday, may require a room reservation for Wednesday night. Workshop registration: $100 (includes lunch). This pre-convention workshop is open to all interested school board members and superintendents. Objectives: To focus on the role of the chair in leading the board To provide skill-building sessions related to the role of the board chair 8 8:30 a.m. Registration and Continental Breakfast 8:30 10:15 a.m. Superintendent Evaluation: An Accountibility Model that Works Tony Arasi, Director of Professional Development, Georgia School Boards Association 10:30 11:30 a.m. Effective Meetings and Parliamentary Procedure: How Not To Do It 11:30 a.m. 12:15 p.m. Leadership in Progress: Managing Differences 12:15 1:30 p.m. Lunch (included in registration) 1:30 4 p.m. Session TBD Annual Convention 5 7 p.m. Convention Registration 5 7 p.m. Welcome Reception at Registration (NEW) The Trade Show opens Friday at 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Saturday at 7:30 a.m. until 12 p.m. Friday, February 29 7:30 8:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast 7:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m. Registration 7:30 a.m. 5 p.m. Trade Show open 8:30 10:30 a.m. First General Session Irmo Middle Chorus & Performing Arts Lexington/Richland Five Schools Academic Leadership: Creating a Climate of Success for All Students Freeman Hrabowski, Ph.D., Baltimore, Maryland 11 a.m. 12:15 p.m. Second General Session Showstoppers, Williamsburg County Schools Lincoln s Wisdom: How You Can Make A Difference Gene Griessman, Ph.D. Atlanta, Georgia 12:15 1:30 p.m. Lunch on your own 1:30 2:45 p.m. Special Interest Workshops (Convention attendees will choose one workshop from a variety of six topics.) 3:15 4:30 p.m. Special Interest Workshops (Convention attendees will choose one workshop from a variety of six topics.) Saturday, March 1 7:30 8:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast 7:30 a.m. 2 p.m. Registration 7:30 a.m. 12 p.m. Trade Show open 8:30 10:30 a.m. Third General Session Liberty Elementary School Chorus School District of Pickens County Greetings The Honorable Jim Rex, State Superintendent of Education Visit scsba.org for the latest convention details, including speaker information and the exhibitors list. 3

The agenda and speakers From Desperation to Dedication: The Strength to Believe Troy D. Evans, President, The Evans Group, Phoenix, Arizona 11 a.m. 12:15 p.m. Hot Topics Workshops (Convention attendees will choose one workshop from a variety of three topics.) 12:15 1:30 p.m. Lunch on your own SC Black Caucus of School Board Members Meeting (Open to all attendees) 1:30 2:45 p.m. Special Interest Workshops (Convention attendees will choose one workshop from a variety of six topics.) 6 8 p.m. Dinner and Awards Program Dent Steel Drum Band, Richland Two Schools 8 p.m. 12 a.m. Karaoke and Dancing with DJ Mike Lockaby, Mike at Nite (Open to all conference attendees and their families.) Sunday, March 2 7:30-9:15 a.m. Registration and Coffee Break Foyer 8 9 a.m. Early Bird Session 9:15 10:45 a.m. Closing General Session Centurion Sound, Spartanburg Three Schools Introduction of Superintendent of the Year Dr. Paul Krohne SCASA Superintendent of the Year Betty Bagley, Anderson Five Schools Don t Throw Tomatoes at my Field of Dreams Jane Jenkins Herlong, CSP, Johnston, South Carolina 10:45 a.m. Convention Closing Convention speakers Freeman Hrabowski, Ph.D. Baltimore, Maryland Freeman A. Hrabowski, III, has served as president of The University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) since May of 1992. His research and publications focus on science and math education, with special emphasis on minority participation and performance. He serves as a consultant to the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, and universities and school systems nationally and is a member of several corporate and civic boards, including the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Constellation Energy Group, the France- Merrick Foundation, Marguerite Casey Foundation (Chair), McCormick & Company, Inc., and the Urban Institute. He was elected to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences and the American Philosophical Society and has received the prestigious McGraw Prize in Education, the U.S. Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring, and the Columbia University Teachers College Medal for Distinguished Service. He was named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Marylander of the Year by the editors of the Baltimore Sun; and is listed among Fast Company magazine s first Fast 50 Champions of Innovation in business and technology. He has co-authored two books, Beating the Odds and Overcoming the Odds (Oxford University Press), focusing on parenting and high-achieving African American males and females in science. Both books are used by universities, school systems, and community groups around the country. A child-leader in the Civil Rights Movement, Hrabowski was prominently featured in Spike Lee s 1997 documentary, Four Little Girls, on the racially motivated bombing in 1963 of Birmingham s Sixteenth Street Baptist Church. Born in 1950 in Birmingham, Ala., Hrabowski graduated at 19 from Hampton Institute with highest honors in mathematics. He received a master s degree in mathematics and four years later at age 24, a doctorate in higher education administration/statistics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He also holds a number of honorary degrees, including most recently from Haverford College, Princeton University, Duke University, the University of Illinois, the University of Alabama-Birmingham, Gallaudet University, Goucher College, the Medical University of South Carolina, and Binghamton University. Freeman Hrabowski, Ph.D. presents on Friday, February 29. The former president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County serves on the boards of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the Marguerite Casey Foundation and the Urban Institute, among others. Gene Griessman, Ph.D. Atlanta, Georgia Griessman (photo Page 2) is an internationally-known speaker, author, and actor. His presentations focus on the factors that make people successful in their careers based on interviews with hundreds of high achievers, including David Rockefeller, Sandra Day O Connor, Ray Charles, Mary Kay, Jack Nicklaus, Hank Aaron, Julie Andrews, Aaron Copland, Ronald Reagan, Jack Lemmon, Jimmy Carter, Billy Joel, and Tennessee Williams. He has written and co-authored seven books in addition to his one-man play on Abraham Lincoln and has performed 4

Convention speakers When you believe in a thing, believe in it all the way, implicitly and unquestionable. Walt Disney, entertainment legend twice at historic Ford s Theatre, at the Lincoln Memorial, the Ice Palace, and at the Georgia Dome in front of more than 20,000 people. He often appears on television and radio, and his award-winning programs have aired on WCNN and TBS. For years he was host of Up Close on TBS. His book Time Tactics Of Very Successful People was featured in Reader s Digest and is now in its 24th printing. He is also author of The Words Lincoln Lived By, The Inspirational Words Of Abraham Lincoln, 99 Ways To Get More Out Of Every Day, and Lincoln On Communication. He is a recipient of the Benjamin Franklin Award and has been listed in Who s Who In America and Who s Who In The World for years. He is a voting member of the Television Academy of Arts and Sciences. Griessman has taught at the College of William and Mary, North Carolina State University, Auburn University, and Georgia Tech and has served as a Fulbright professor at the national graduate university of Pakistan and as a visiting researcher at the Agrarian University of Peru and the University of New South Wales in Australia. Tina Marshall-Bradley, Ph.D. Columbia, South Carolina Tina Marshall-Bradley is the Dean of the School of Education at Claflin University and formerly worked in the Office of Teacher Education, with the Division of Teacher Quality at the South Carolina State Department of Education. Her primary responsibilities included working with institutions of higher education who offer certification programs for education professionals in the state to ensure compliance with state and national standards. Formerly she served as a Research Associate and Associate Professor of Education at Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina. Marshall-Bradley co-founded the South Carolina Institute for Research in Education (SCIRE); a research facility for the study of education related issues in South Carolina. Their groundbreaking research on the lack of quality education being provided to African American students, published by the Columbia Urban League in The Millennium Edition of The State of Black South Carolina: An Action Agenda for the Future, sparked interest from local individuals and organizations, government and private organizations, as well as the media. Her research on teacher education and quality education for students in poverty and students of color can be found in scholarly journals as well as lay publications. She is a graduate of the College of Charleston and completed her graduate studies at Iowa State University. Tina Marshall-Bradley, Ph.D. is the Dean of the School of Education at Claflin University and formerly worked in the Office of Teacher Education at the South Carolina State Department of Education. Troy D. Evans Phoenix, Arizona For more than 15 years, Troy Evans pursued a career as a self-employed addict, drug dealer, gambler and thief. He risked his life and sacrificed his family to satisfy his need for money, attention and independence. Ultimately, his disregard of values and discipline resulted in a 13-year federal prison sentence. Following a sixmonth crime spree, which included five armed bank robberies in three states, Evans self-destructive lifestyle was brought to an end. He soon found himself within the razor wire and armed confines of the Federal Correctional Complex in Florence, Colorado where his neighbors included such notorious criminals as Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols. Facing the obstacles, pressures and violence of prison life, Evans was determined that his time behind bars would not be wasted. He Troy D. Evans exciting tale of overcoming adversity, adapting to change and realizing his full potential is something you won t want to miss. chose education as his saving grace, despite the elimination of federal Pell Grants for the incarcerated. Undeterred, Evans set out to secure funding on his own through scholarships, grants and foundation assistance. After six months of submitting applications, writing essays, begging, pleading and selling, Evans landed his first scholarship for one class. When he walked out the doors of prison, Evans carried with him two degrees, both obtained with a 4.0 GPA and placement on the Dean s and President s List. Since his release, Evans has taken the corporate, association and education speaking platforms by storm. Audiences are stunned by his endurance, accomplishments and remarkable personal transformation. With straightforward, real-life examples, Evans shows how the keys to his success in prison are the keys to his success today, and how these lessons can be applied to escaping the prisons within ourselves. He renews an appreciation for He who believes is strong; he who doubts is weak. Strong convictions precede great actions. Louisa May Alcott, author 5

Convention speakers what is really important in all of our lives and motivates each and every person to overcome adversity, adapt to change, and to realize their full potential. Jane Jenkins Herlong, CSP Johnston, South Carolina Jane Jenkins Herlong came from a meager background and was literally the farmer s daughter. Then early on she was informed she was dyslexic and labeled as not too pretty. She was even told she d never get accepted into college and couldn t afford it anyway and probably wouldn t accomplish much in life. Yet, ironically, that may have been the best thing that ever happened to her because she proved Jane Jenkins Herlong, CSP will present Saturday, March 2. every label wrong. With money earned from working in her father s tomato fields and the reward of a scholarship in hand, Herlong graduated from Columbia College with a bachelor s degree in sociology and pursued graduate studies in public administration at the College of Charleston. From there she went on to win the title of Miss South Carolina and represent her state in the Miss America Pageant. From then to now, Herlong has accomplished plenty - inspiring audiences everywhere as a nationally known speaker with the highest rank of speaker certification. She is also an award-winning professional singer and recording artist and author. Her articles have appeared in Guidepost magazine, Successful Farming and Baby Boomer, and she was featured in Today s American Woman magazine. Jane authored the book, Bare Feet to High Heels; You Don t have to Be a Beauty Queen to be a Beautiful Person and frequently writes as a guest newspaper columnist. Upcoming Boardmanship Institute Conferences March 29 April 1, 2008, NSBA Annual Conference, Orlando, FL April 23, 2008, Day at the Capital, Convention Center, Columbia, SC June 21 22, 2008, Leadership for Student Achievement & Board Operations Conference, Greenville, SC Entertainment! Student Performances: Student musicians will showcase their talents throughout the convention. Those scheduled to perform include: Irmo Middle Chorus and Performing Arts (Lexington/Richland Five Schools) Showstoppers (Williamsburg County Schools) Liberty Elementary School Chorus (School District of Pickens County) Dent Steel Drum Band (Richland Two Schools) Centurion Sound (Spartanburg Three Schools) Please visit scsba.org to view photos of the student entertainment. DJ Mike Lockaby will host karaoke and dancing on Saturday, March 1. Four things for success: work and pray, think and believe. Norman Vincent Peale, US Clergyman, author 6

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Columbia, SC Permit No. 1270 S C S B A 1 0 2 7 B a r n w e l l S t r e e t C o l u m b i a, S C 2 9 2 0 1 2008 SCSBA Annual Convention Marriott Hotel, Hilton Head, SC February 28 - March 2, 2008