AzSIAA Bi-Weekly Newsletter
From the Executive Director
Returned from DC. Rained every day, on and off, umbrella on, umbrella off! Tuesday morning, as I walked in the rain to the Congressional Reception, I pondered how all of this is going to work. Monday, at the General Meeting, we reviewed issues related to ASIAA and the Arizona Rural Schools Association. Very informative and engaged discussion. The group decided to not continue with the Arizona Rural Schools Association conference. ASIAA is very focused on federal advocacy, the group concluded that our missions are too far apart. Members of ASIAA may continue with ARSA, the Arizona Impact Aid Association will continue to follow legislation and happenings at the federal level.
After business concluded, Ms. Michalski, President, organized group leaders and group members for the hill visits Tuesday morning. The groups and group leaders were given the schedule for the hill visits. Each group reviewed their schedule and set starting times for Tuesday. Groups were provided talking points from ASIAA as well as NAFIS. The following is s summary of the talking points:
Districts who participated in the hill visits were:
In summary, on September 26, 2018, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a FY2019 spending bill with a $581 million increase for the U.S. Department of Education, including at $32 million increase for Impact Aid. This bill was approved by the Senate last week. September 28, the President signed the bill.
NAFIS reports this is the first time in 22 years that education funding is finalized before the start of the fiscal year on October 1. This also means that initial FY2019 Impact Aid payments will be distributed much earlier than in recent years and in close proximity to final FY2017 payments and the recent interim FY2018 payments. This also may mean there will be no large payments in early 2019 as occurred in the past. Please budget accordingly. (NAFIS, Sept 28, 2019.
After business concluded, Ms. Michalski, President, organized group leaders and group members for the hill visits Tuesday morning. The groups and group leaders were given the schedule for the hill visits. Each group reviewed their schedule and set starting times for Tuesday. Groups were provided talking points from ASIAA as well as NAFIS. The following is s summary of the talking points:
- The House Impact Aid Coalition needs a Republican co-chair for the 116th Congress (2019-2020). The current House Republican co-chair Rep. Kristi Noem (SD) is retiring from Congress. Currently, Congressman Gosar, Sinema, and Grijalva are members. Please ask your person to become a member of the House Impact Aid Coalition.
- Support the $32 million increase for Impact Aid in FY19.
- Please eliminate sequestration to prevent funding cuts for programs like Impact Aid.
- Please cosponsor the Impact Aid Infrastructure Act, H.R. 6830, introduced by Rep O’Halleran (D-Az). The bill provides $1billion one-time infusion into the Impact Aid Construction program to address the significant backlog of school construction needs at federally impacted school districts.
- Do not co-sponsor HR 5199 or S 2517, the Military Family Educating Savings Account Act, or support programs that divert Impact Aid funds from public school districts.
Districts who participated in the hill visits were:
- Sacaton Elementary School District
- Fort Thomas Unified School District
- Baboquivari Unified School District
- Whiteriver Unified School District
- Sanders Unified School District
- Pinon Unified School District
- Ganado Unified School District
- Red Mesa Unified School District
- Chinle Unified School District
- Window Rock Unified School District
- Page Unified School District
- San Carlos Unified School District
In summary, on September 26, 2018, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a FY2019 spending bill with a $581 million increase for the U.S. Department of Education, including at $32 million increase for Impact Aid. This bill was approved by the Senate last week. September 28, the President signed the bill.
NAFIS reports this is the first time in 22 years that education funding is finalized before the start of the fiscal year on October 1. This also means that initial FY2019 Impact Aid payments will be distributed much earlier than in recent years and in close proximity to final FY2017 payments and the recent interim FY2018 payments. This also may mean there will be no large payments in early 2019 as occurred in the past. Please budget accordingly. (NAFIS, Sept 28, 2019.
Arizona Congressional Contests
Voting November 6, 2018
| Senate | Rep | Dem | Incuments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senate | Martha McSally | Kyrsten Sinema | Jeff Flake |
| District 1 | Wendy Rogers | Tom O'Halleran | Tome O'Halleran |
| District 2 | Marquest Peterson | Ann Kirkpatrick | Martha McSally |
| District 3 | Nicolas Pierson | Raul Grijalva | Raul Grijalva |
| District 4 | Paul Gosar | David Brill | Paul Gosar |
| District 5 | Andy Biggs | Joan Greene | Andy Biggs |
| District 6 | David Schweikert | Anita Malik | David Schweikert |
| District 7 | Rubert Gallego | Ruben Gallego | |
| District 8 | Stephen Ferrara | Greg Stanton | Krysten Sinema |
List of All Candidate Committees for the 2018 Election
Find My Candidates for the 2018 General Election.
Find My Candidates for the 2018 General Election.
School Safety Resources
School safety resources from the National Association of School Psychologists referenced during the NAFIS conference.
Webinar's from Impact Aid Office
7002 Overview
10/9/2018
(Federal Lands)
1:00 PM EST
7003 Novice Presentation
10/17/2018
(Federally Connected Children)
10:00 AM EST
Creating IPPs
10/24/2018
(Indian Policies & Procedures)
1:00 PM EST
7003 Novice Presentation
11/7/2018
(Federally Connected Children)
1:00 PM EST
7002 Overview
11/12/2018
(Federal Lands)
1:00 PM EST
How To Read A Voucher
11/14/2018
(Understanding the 7003 Voucher)
11:00 AM EST
Creating IPPs
11/14/2018
(Indian Policies & Procedures)
1:00 PM EST
7003 Novice Presentation
12/5/2018
(Federally Connected Children)
1:00 PM EST
How To Read A Voucher
2/20/2019
(Understanding the 7003 Voucher)
2:00 PM EST
How to Survive A Field Review
3/27/2019
(Everything you need to know about field reviews)
1:00 PM EST
How to Survive A Field Review
4/17/2019
(Everything you need to know about field reviews)
11:00 AM EST
10/9/2018
(Federal Lands)
1:00 PM EST
7003 Novice Presentation
10/17/2018
(Federally Connected Children)
10:00 AM EST
Creating IPPs
10/24/2018
(Indian Policies & Procedures)
1:00 PM EST
7003 Novice Presentation
11/7/2018
(Federally Connected Children)
1:00 PM EST
7002 Overview
11/12/2018
(Federal Lands)
1:00 PM EST
How To Read A Voucher
11/14/2018
(Understanding the 7003 Voucher)
11:00 AM EST
Creating IPPs
11/14/2018
(Indian Policies & Procedures)
1:00 PM EST
7003 Novice Presentation
12/5/2018
(Federally Connected Children)
1:00 PM EST
How To Read A Voucher
2/20/2019
(Understanding the 7003 Voucher)
2:00 PM EST
How to Survive A Field Review
3/27/2019
(Everything you need to know about field reviews)
1:00 PM EST
How to Survive A Field Review
4/17/2019
(Everything you need to know about field reviews)
11:00 AM EST
Good Idea Grant Application is Open
Does someone in your school district have a great project idea that you can't fund due to budget constraints? A FISEF Good Idea Grant may be able to help.
Every year, three grants of up to $5,000 each are awarded to applicants (often teachers, though school counselors, librarians, principals and other staff are welcome to apply) from NAFIS member school districts to implement projects that address student academic needs, update curriculum or improve student social wellness.
In the past, funded projects have included outdoor classrooms, art and history projects, pre-K readiness, learning libraries, bridge-building modules, STEM projects, geography programs, kinder kindness and much more.
Applying is easy. A short application form asks how a project supports one of the three focus areas, who will be engaged in the work and what resources are needed to complete it. Applications are reviewed anonymously by FISEF Board Members, who determine the winning projects.
Applications are due December 15, 2018.
Learn more and apply.
Every year, three grants of up to $5,000 each are awarded to applicants (often teachers, though school counselors, librarians, principals and other staff are welcome to apply) from NAFIS member school districts to implement projects that address student academic needs, update curriculum or improve student social wellness.
In the past, funded projects have included outdoor classrooms, art and history projects, pre-K readiness, learning libraries, bridge-building modules, STEM projects, geography programs, kinder kindness and much more.
Applying is easy. A short application form asks how a project supports one of the three focus areas, who will be engaged in the work and what resources are needed to complete it. Applications are reviewed anonymously by FISEF Board Members, who determine the winning projects.
Applications are due December 15, 2018.
Learn more and apply.
Post to Your Calendar
| Date | Organization | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 11-12, 2018 | FISEF | FY2020 Application Workshop - James Kock Facilitator | Flagstaff, Az |
| Oct 17, 2018 | ASBA | Apache and Navajo County Meeting | TBD |
| Oct 2018 | ASA | Fall Superintendent Conference | Prescott, Az |
| Nov 15-16, 2018 | ASBA | Pre Workshop and Legislative Workshop | Phoenix, Az |
| Dec 12-14, 2018 | ASBA | ASBA-ASA 61st Annual Conference | Phoenix, Az |
| Dec 14, 2018 | ASIAA | General Membership Meeting in conjunction with ASBA Conference | Phoenix, Az |