Sheldon represents state at annual school administrators’ conference

Superintendent Dr. Sandra Sheldon of the Churchill County School District recently joined almost 2,000 school system leaders from coast to coast at the 150th anniversary conference of American Association of School Administrators.

The conference was held from Feb. 26-28.

By providing education leadership beyond her school district, Sheldon said she represents the State of Nevada and superintendents nationwide by being a member of AASA’s Governing Board.

“AASA serves as our nation’s voice for school system leaders and public education and I am honored to represent the State of Nevada as part of its governing board,” she said.

One of the key issues brought before the governing board was the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act known as No Child Left Behind. This piece of legislation expired in 2008, but because of inaction from Congress over the past seven years, the law has become outdated and punitive to school districts across the nation. The western region of the AASA Governance Board voted to send a message to Congress stating that it is time to stop playing political games with our children’s education.

“Enough is enough. Focus on children. Reauthorize ESEA NOW,” the association said.

According to the AASA, these funds are for assistance with our most vulnerable students and are essential to providing an equitable education for all students.

Many dignitaries were also honored, including Richard W. Riley, former U.S. Secretary of Education, who received AASA’s Champion for Children and Public Education award. In addition, AASA’s State Superintendents of the Year were recognized, including Nevada’s State Superintendent of the Year, Jeff Zander, of the Elko County School District.

More than 300 sessions at the conference focused on the following themes: Superintendent/school board relationships, governance and district management, leadership, curriculum and instruction, digitizing education and healthy school environments.

AASA, founded in 1865, is the premier national organization for our nation’s superintendents serving thousands of educational leaders throughout the United States. Sheldon’s appointment to the governance board puts her in a key position to impact federal policy.

“I am excited to be part of an organization that brings superintendents and public education’s best thought leaders under one roof, working together to provide a world class educational opportunity for America’s youth,” Sheldon said.