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Board agrees to study alternatives to ASBA membership; asks staff to schedule comparative presentations
Summary
Board members asked the superintendent to schedule a study session before the July renewal of the Arizona School Boards Association (ASBA) membership so the district can compare ASBA services with offerings from the Coalition and the Trust; some members cited cost, coverage and policy alignment as reasons to evaluate alternatives.
Several public commenters and board members raised the district’s membership in the Arizona School Boards Association (ASBA). Marty Grossman, a community member and current district representative to a regional education board, told the board he valued ASBA for advocacy, training and policy services. "For over 70 years, ASBA has been the leading voice for school boards in Arizona," Grossman said.
Board members asked staff to arrange presentations from alternative providers — the Coalition and the Trust — so the board could compare legal counsel, policy services, training, and costs before the district’s membership renewal on July 1. Board member Dillinger explicitly requested presentations by the Coalition and the Trust and said the board should weigh training access, legal representation and budget impact.
Superintendent Griffin said ASBA provides board docs and a policy repository the district uses, and he asked board members to clarify what information they would like before renewal. The board discussed whether a transition would require staff time to crosswalk policies between providers. Several members agreed it may be practical to retain ASBA during a transitional year while staff completes a crosswalk and compares alternatives.
Why it matters: ASBA membership provides policy templates, legal counsel and professional development for boards. Switching providers could affect the district’s legal support, policy framework and training access; board members asked for a careful cost‑benefit review.
What’s next: The board directed the superintendent to schedule a study session before July 1 and to invite the Coalition and the Trust to present service offerings, costs and transition implications. The board indicated it may temporarily renew ASBA while completing the review to avoid gaps in legal and policy coverage.
