Welcome Back!

I trust that you have had a successful start to the 2021-22 school year, and it's my hope that we are able to continue to prosper during these challenging times. My desire as president this year is to provide some normalcy that enables CLASS to truly establish itself as a premier organization representing our hard-working administrative professionals. Our purpose is to strengthen relationships with all key stakeholders, and to develop an environment that attracts, develops and retains talented leaders. The executive and advisory boards have created actions and focus areas for each of the CLASS pillars: advocacy, support and service. They are detailed further in this newsletter. We hope that you will become actively involved in these initiatives. You may contact our Executive Director or any board member, or complete the link in the section "Liaisons Seek Feedback" to express your desire to help.

Just as you have adapted to the challenges caused by the pandemic since March 2020, so has CLASS. Know that we will continue to navigate through these times with the sole purpose of doing what's right for our members, the community, and the educational profession.

Thank you,

Ric Mellin

We are grateful to John McLay and Herff Jones for their generous donation supporting CLASS! We will use these funds to ensure our member administrators feel appreciated for all they do!

To support a key pillar of our organization, we are offering two scholarships to current employees pursuing degrees in Educational Leadership. One scholarship, the Gary Gucci/Horace Mann Leadership Scholarship, is funded by a partnership. The other is funded by membership dues.

Possible nominees need to be current Pasco County employees with the following criteria:

1. A teacher, district person, or current leader pursuing a Master's degree or beyond in Educational Leadership; or

2. A non-instructional employee who is pursuing a degree in teaching.

If members know of anyone who is qualified, please click the link below to nominate them for this $500 Scholarship. We will announce the winners at our next General Meeting Assembly on October 18, 2021. Please complete your nomination by Friday, September 10th in order for your nominee to be considered.

https://ryu.pasco.k12.fl.us/do-mform/view.php?id=449223

Our executive director and retired past president, Tammy and Mardee, made a presentation about our organization and its goals to the Pasco County Legislative Delegation at a meeting September 1. We shared our focus areas with legislators so they may be better informed prior to committee work later this fall. We asked them to tap our expertise and to lessen restrictions in funding (categoricals).

Additionally, CLASS meets monthly with Superintendent Browning (and any staff he designates) to discuss your concerns, ideas and issues. We will continue our efforts to ensure our voices are heard on important matters.

Principal, Assistant Principal and District Administrator of the Year Nominations

CLASS has the amazing opportunity to recognize our Principal, Assistant Principal and District Administrator of the Year. As we’ve done in the past, we will have separate recognitions for each of the categories. Recognizing leaders who make a difference in our district is a priority for CLASS. Separating these groups of leaders will allow us to continue to participate in the Florida State Outstanding Principal and Assistant Principal Achievement Awards, which were established in 1997 to recognize exemplary school leaders for their contributions to their schools and communities.

At this time, we seek nominations for the categories of Principal, Assistant Principal and District Administrator. If you believe a peer has made a significant impact as a school-based or district-based leader in our district, please click the appropriate link below to nominate them for this prestigious recognition. The deadline to nominate is Friday, September 17, 2021. Nominees will be contacted and confirmed. A communication will be sent out to cast a final vote once nominees are set. You are able to nominate and vote for leaders outside of your current peer group/job classification.

Click here to nominate for Assistant Principal of the Year

Click here to nominate for Principal of the Year

Click here to nominate for District Administrator of the Year

For additional questions, contact Vaughnette Chandler at vchandle@pasco.k12.fl.us.

Our new Advisory and Executive Boards met on July 22 to review survey results and input from members to establish short range goals and focus areas for this school year to align with our organization's pillars:

• ADVOCACY - we will connect with elected officials to seek equity among administrative ranks and provide opportunities for elected officials to visit schools.
• SUPPORT - we will establish quarterly opportunities for district and school leaders to connect for networking and increase communication to provide members greater personal and professional connections.
• SERVICE - we will increase visibility and support leaders facing unique challenges and establish a Spring Break food drive.

At assistant principal, principal and director meetings, CLASS Advisory Liaisons are seeking input and interested parties in our focus areas. Make sure you express your interest to participate in a workgroup within your area of passion for our 21-22 goal areas. You may sign up or share ideas using this link.

Connecting Leaders through Advocacy, Support and Service; A not-for-profit 501(C)3

Email: executivedirector@classpasco.com
Website: classpasco.com
Location: 7842 Land O' Lakes Boulevard, Land O' Lakes, FL 34638, USA
Phone:
Facebook: facebook.com/CLASSPasco