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Board discusses memberships in CSBA/Great City Schools and reports on China trip
Summary
Board members debated continued membership in state and national education organizations, cited benefits (advocacy, training) and costs (Council fee $35,436), and several members reported on a district visit to China to study Mandarin programs and exchanges.
Members of the San Francisco Board of Education discussed the district's memberships in the California School Boards Association (CSBA), National School Boards Association (NSBA) and the Council of Great City Schools (CUBE) during a general discussion item on Aug. 8. Commissioners described tangible benefits — advocacy for urban districts, federal lobbying, training and consulting teams that can review district programs — and noted costs and budget pressures.
Commissioner Lipson and others highlighted that Proposition 39 bond reporting and project specifications are required under current law and said membership organizations provide training and policy support. Commissioner Kelly reported on attending the Council of Great City Schools executive committee meeting, focusing on No Child Left Behind reauthorization and advocacy strategies. Commissioner Marr raised concerns about membership costs during budget-tight years; Commissioner Kelly and staff provided a Council fee estimate of $35,436 for the year and described tiered dues based on district size.
Separately during board member reports, several commissioners described a recent trip to China organized by Hanban that included visits to model schools and discussions about Mandarin instruction, Confucius Institutes and AP course development; board members suggested possible exchange programs and guest-teacher opportunities.
The discussion produced no formal action; board members asked staff to continue to assess cost-benefit and to consider requests for written details on dues and membership benefits if needed.
