Presidential Contenders Want AASA to Expand Tech Use, Social Networks
By Jay P. Goldman
The two contenders for AASA president suggested Saturday that the organization expand its use of technology to better serve members and create a social network to meet more practical needs.
During a 50-minute candidates forum at the AASA national conference, Patricia Neudecker, superintendent in Oconomowoc, Wis., and Bob Gillum, superintendent in Chatham, Ill., provided mostly general answers to the questions raised by the two dozen attendees. However, when they had a chance to describe one product or service not currently offered by AASA that they believed would have the great value for school system leaders, they had a chance to talk specifics.
Neudecker, whose 5,000-student school district is located between Milwaukee and Madison, Wis., suggested AASA greatly expand its use of technology to create more opportunities for interaction among members and to provide more professional training. She cited the video library developed by her state association in Wisconsin as a model of an accessible way for delivering information when it’s needed.
“Our work is 24/7,” she said, “and sometimes you need resources at your fingertips.”
Gillum, whose district outside Springfield has 4,500 students, pushed the notion of creating a national network within the AASA membership database that would serve the needs of a member when traveling in another part of the country. He envisioned both professional and personal components – with the latter allowing a member to “find a restaurant to go to or where to get a tire fixed.”
The two also were asked what they would go to stimulate membership growth, what they saw as the biggest challenge on the AASA horizon and whether serving as AASA president would have an impact on their school community?
In responding to the latter, Neudecker indicated “everyone in the community knows of my intentions” and said such at the national level would be seen as a positive development. Gillum said he was long been encouraged by community groups, including the school board and Chamber of Commerce, to take on additional leadership duties beyond the school district.
To raise membership levels, Gillum would like to lessen the barriers in the membership registration processes that exist between the state associations and AASA. He’d also build the case that membership in the national association is a professional obligation. Neudecker would better delineate the purpose of an AASA membership and create an incentyive for first-time members, such as a dues discount.
Past President Randy Collins served as moderator of the forum.
Biographical details about Neudecker and Gillum are available elsewhere in Conference Daily Online.