SSDA Accomplishments
The SSDA prides itself on the evolution of its program through a series of activities ranging from the distribution of current news to interactive workshops and conferences. The following are some of the SSDA's accomplishments and basic operational activities.
Operations
Activities of the SSDA include: conferences, workshops, meetings, communications, committees, membership marketing and retention, outreach, budgeting, and accounting. These are provided for our statewide organization which is subdivided into 11 different regions. Here are some of the SSDA operational accomplishments:
- Communications and
Administration
Developed Strategic Partnerships with Simplified online Communications (SOCS) to help small school districts develop affordable websites that are both user friendly and easy to maintain.
-
- Improved SSDA website to include Small School Superintendent Help Desk.
- Upgraded the content and format of SSDA Newsletter. To register for the newsletter, click here.
- Full-time Executive Director position established in 2006.
- Established the first SSDA independent
headquarters in 2006.
- Finance
Developed Strategic Partnership with AIG VALIC to provide free and low-cost retirement planning to SSDA member district employees. Developed Strategic Partnership with KNN to provide low-cost bond underwriting and support to SSDA members.
- Office Supplies and
Classroom Furniture
Developed Strategic Partnership with Office Depot to provide discounts ranging from 20% to 85% off retail pricing on office supplies and classroom furniture for small school district members.
- Association
Outreach
The SSDA staff work with many state and federal agencies to strengthen services and advocate on behalf of small districts. These agencies include, but are not limited to:
- Association of California School Administrators
- California Association of School Business Officials
- California Association of School Transportation Officials
- California Charter Schools Association
- California Education Management Group
- California Retired Teachers Association
- California School Boards Association
- California Teachers Association
- Californians for School Facilities
- County School Facilities Consortia
- Coalition for Adequate School Housing
- Education Technology Alliance
- International Building Operators Coalition
- National Rural Education Advocacy Coalition
- National Rural Education Association
- Organizations Concerned with Rural Education
- Retirement Coalition
- School Transportation Coalition
- ComData
The SSDA joined forces with Comdata to provide services for the SSDA and its members. Upon joining the Small School Districts' Association, members become eligible for the Comdata Inc. MasterCard. This is a fuel and purchase card and the most widely accepted card in the industry. Comdata is a national corporation that supplies purchasing solutions to 5 of the top 10 fleets in the United States including FedEx, Coke and Pepsi. The Comdata MasterCard offers:
- Payment care program consolidation into one integrated platform, thereby eliminating unnecessary paperwork, providing consolidated in-depth reports to more easily track spending, reducing administrative and processing costs, and tailoring the payment process to your organization's needs.
- A personalized MasterCard
for your district with:
- No interest
- No transaction charges
- No annual fee
and/or...
- School/Bus Fleet
MasterCards.
- Allows you to assign cards to employees for travel with spending controls specific to their needs.
- Provides tracking reports on the locations of low cost fuel in your area.
- Provides information on gasoline and fuel pricing to allow negotiations of low cost blanket pricing with your district.
- Allows you to take advantage of Comdata negotiated fuel discounts that apply to your district.
-
To sign up for these benefits you must be member. Click here to join SSDA now!
- Annual
Conference
The SSDA Annual Conference is the major function organized each year to get small school district superintendents and board members together to discuss important issues, celebrate achievements, and work for the common good of all students in the small districts within our state. The 2007 Annual Conference had:
-
- 510 Attendees
- 55 Exhibitors
- 53 Presenters
- 79 Golfers
- 20 Scholarships to High School Youth - Regional
Meetings
SSDA Regional Meetings provide opportunities for superintendents and board members to network and stay abreast of challenging issues in their specific regions. SSDA works with county offices of education and superintendents the region to convene and plan the meetings that take place at least once annually. In 2006, 5 regional meetings were held with:
- 291 Attendees
- 2007 Regional
Locations:
- Humboldt
- Pismo Beach
- Redding
- San Diego
- San Joaquin
- Wine Country
- Special
Workshop
From time to time, the SSDA will join with other associations, businesses and government organizations in sponsoring a special workshop on a specific topic that adds value to the success of small school districts. Such workshops include:
-
- New Superintendents' Symposium
- Collective Bargaining Seminars
- ACSA / CLUE / SSDA Budget Workshops
- SSDA Only Budget Workshops
- After the Election Workshops
- Pre-Conference Workshops
- Retirement / Financial Workshops
- Williams Implementation
- And More....
-
- Membership
The following information provides a breakdown of the SSDA into specific categories to present a more detailed approach to viewing our Association's membership:
A. SSDA 2007 Membership Breakdown
|
School Districts |
409 |
|
Charter Schools |
2 |
|
County Offices of Education |
29 |
|
Associate Members |
117 |
|
Total Members |
555 |
B. Breakdown of School Districts by Average Daily Attendance-2007
|
0-100 ADA |
65 |
|
101-499 ADA |
157 |
|
500-999 ADA |
74 |
|
1000-2999 ADA |
95 |
|
Over 3000 ADA |
11 |
|
Total |
435 |
C. Breakdown of Associate Members by Category-2007
|
Architects |
9 |
|
Attorneys & Legal Services |
8 |
|
Computer Software / Technology |
14 |
|
Construction Management & Planning |
12 |
|
Curriculum & Assessment |
4 |
|
Design-Build Contractor |
1 |
|
Educational Consultants |
7 |
|
Energy Efficiency / Utilities |
2 |
|
Financial Services |
9 |
|
HVAC |
1 |
|
Healthcare & Insurance |
5 |
|
Labor Compliance |
1 |
|
Organizations |
5 |
|
Modular Buildings / Relocatable Classrooms |
5 |
|
School Accountability & Planning |
2 |
|
School Buses |
3 |
|
School Equipment & Learning Materials |
8 |
|
School Lunch / Walkway Shelters |
1 |
|
Spanish Translation |
0 |
|
Telecommunications |
1 |
|
Transportation |
1 |
SSDA Executive Committee and Staff
1. Executive Committee
|
Henry Bietz Westwood Unified School District |
Don Brann Wiseburn Elementary School District |
Dale Drew, President-Elect Washington Colony Elementary School District
|
|
Allan Gordon St. Helena Unified School District |
Steve Lund Fort Bragg Unified School District |
Chris McGriff Happy Valley Elementary School District |
|
Mike Michelon Treasurer Butteville Union, Dunsmuir, Grenada & McCloud Elementary School Districts |
Debbie Pearson Wheatland School District |
Rich Rhodes, President-Elect Pacheco Union Elementary School District |
|
Chris von Kliest Orland Joint Unified School District |
|
|
2. Founders
|
Don Brann, Emeritus Wiseburn Elementary School District |
Ray Edmans, Emeritus 1926-2006 |
Dave Evans, Emeritus |
3. Staff
|
Alvin G. Sandrini Executive Director |
Dave Walrath, |
|
Shelly Tillery
Executive Assistant |
|
