MTSBA's Services: "MTSBA services and other resources have become increasingly focused on improving the knowledge, skills and performance of member school boards."
From the Montana School Boards Association's Strategic Plan, Goal Area 2, statement of intended outcome, three to five year horizon, revised March 2007
The following are some of the key services you receive as a member of MTSBA:
Professional Development and Leadership:
First and foremost, membership in MTSBA offers the opportunity to tap into the collective knowledge and best practices of school districts statewide through the Montana Conference of Education Leadership, Spring Workshops, In-District Whole Board Training and other regional programs, educational workshops, and institutes. MTSBA employs several highly talented and experienced professionals with a variety of experiences and backgrounds beneficial to the needs of our membership. We strive to provide professional development opportunities throughout the state, and focus on cost containment through a subsidy provided by base dues. General leadership resources available through either dues, or, where noted, a dues subsidized rate, are as follows:
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Access to all MTSBA publications, such as the monthly Bulletin, Quarterly School Law Review, Quarterly Policy Notes, and weekly e-mail announcements.
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Access to an ongoing stream of data collected and compiled from MTSBA members in the areas of salary and benefits, key issues facing the membership and changing membership needs.
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Full access to the Management Reference Center, which includes CD-Rom and Internet-based access to all model MTSBA policies, numerous legal forms, sample collective bargaining language, salary survey data, all MTSBA presentation outlines, model job descriptions, and much more.
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Reduced rates for participation in the Montana Conference of Education Leadership, regional conferences and in-district workshops.
Professional Services
The Association offers the best legal, labor, policy, superintendent search and governmental relations services available in the state, and is improving and expanding those services on a continual basis to meet your present and evolving needs. As a member of MTSBA, your district has access to a significant range of services without charge.
Key among those services are legal and personnel consultation on day to day questions via phone and email. Additionally, with the continued expansion and refinement of the MTSBA Management Reference Center, all resources of the Association are tied together in a single accessible location and source. The Management Reference Center CD is available only to MTSBA members, and contains the most comprehensive set of Montana school governance and management materials available anywhere, all as a service provided under your basic dues.
Our fee-based services provided in this regard are offered at a discounted rate for members, far below what you would pay in the private sector for comparable experience, expertise and service. When you deal with the complex world of local supervision and control of public education, it pays to have immediate access to seasoned advisors, which is one of the primary benefits provided by MTSBA membership.
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Access to MTSBA staff for phone consultation (limited to questions requiring one hour or less of research) on items such as school law, collective bargaining, school board ethics, best practices research, etc. No limit on the number of calls per year.
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MTSBA’s representation of member interests before the Montana Legislature, state and federal agencies and Congress.
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Reduced rates for legal representation compared to the rates charged in the private market ($125 - $200 per hour among experienced attorneys).
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Reduced rates for key employee searches ($5,500 for a full search, compared to private sector costs of between $10,000 - $25,000).
Publications and Communications:
From our monthly and quarterly publications to our new and improved website and bi-weekly e-mail announcements, MTSBA membership gives you access to articles, alerts, and practical pieces on boardsmanship, school law, school finance, and other issues affecting your ability to pursue educational excellence in your district.
Money-Saving Opportunities:
Your membership in MTSBA is also your gateway to participation in a number of valuable and money-saving programs including our Workers’ Compensation Risk and Retention Group and Montana Schools Unemployment Insurance Program (saving members approximately 25% compared to rates charged by the State of Montana) are key programs generating substantial savings to MTSBA members. We are confident that you will find that participation in these programs substantially mitigates the cost of your dues with MTSBA, and, in many cases, will even substantially exceed the cost of your dues.