On July 18th, after years of struggling with a weak economy, declining population, financial mismanagement, corruption and political infighting, Detroit has finally filed for bankruptcy.

See the Fall/Winter 2013 Issue of ASBO Matters News Journal ASBO MD&DC's Fall/Winter 2013 issue of ASBO Matters News Journal magazine is now available. Some of the features you'll find in this issue: Building on the Past, Delivering Today, Planning for the Future. Also, be sure to look for the printed copy, which should be in your mail boxes!

Stop by the ASBO website for links and information for job opportunities.

Where will you be on Thursday, November 7th? If you're interested in learning about hot topics, finding about new approaches to old problems, or want learn about the latest services and products that our business partners are offering to enhance your school operations, you'll want to be at the ASBO MD&DC Fall Conference at the Conference Center at the Maritime Institute. Sean McComb, Baltimore County Teacher of the Year, will be a Featured Speaker. Visit us at asbo.org to register and save a spot at this popular professional development event.

Join Andrew Cassilly, Resource Conservation Manager, Harford County Public Schools and hear how one school system involved multiple departments including curriculum, technology, facilities, purchasing and transportation, to develop a comprehensive Sustainability program. Learn the advantages of applying the Triple Bottom Line concept in your own school system to foster and grow a sustainability program.

You don't want to miss the 2013 - 2014 Foundation for School Business Management Courses!

Elements of School Purchasing - October 4, 2013 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM Anne Arundel County Public Schools, Professional Growth & Development Center 2671 Carver Road | Gambrills, MD 21054 |

ASBO Welcomes the following new members from Baltimore County Public Schools: Keith Fletcher – Auditor Timothy Frommeyer – Assistant Operation Supervisor – Electrical Shop Jeanne Imbriale – Coordinator – Professional Development David Kutcher – Electronics Field Representative Ann Kramer – Project Manager – Engineering and Construction Donna Staley – Purchasing Clerk Brenda Borisevic – Special Education Transportation Coordinator Dr. Alan Hill – Manager, Office of Student Behavior Robin Allen – Strategic Planning Specialist Kenneth Morosko – Fleet Technician Supervisor

For the Ninth year in a row Baltimore County Public Schools Office of Purchasing has been awarded the Achievement of Excellence in Procurement by the National Purchasing Institute (NPI). This year they were joined by Montgomery County Public Schools (their second consecutive year) and Anne Arundel County Public Schools who also received this award. The three schools make up half of the government agencies in Maryland to receive the award, with only 23 school districts in the United States to receive the award.

Congratulations to Galen Anderson who has accepted the position as Maintenance and Operations Manager for Worcester County Public Schools!

ASBO welcomes the new Superintendents and CEO and wishes them success in their mission to keep Maryland schools Number One in the nation. Ms. Mamie Perkins, Interim Superintendent Anne Arundel County Public Schools Ms. Tisha S. Edwards, Interim Chief Executive Officer Baltimore City Public Schools Ms. Nancy Highsmith, Interim Superintendent Calvert County Public Schools Dr. Kimberly A. Hill, Superintendent Charles County Public Schools Mrs. Barbara P. Canavan, Interim Superintendent Harford County Public Schools Dr. Karen M. Couch, Superintendent Kent County Public Schools Dr. Kevin Maxwell, Superintendent Prince George’s Co. Public Schools Dr. John B. Gaddis, Interim Superintendent Somerset County Public Schools Mrs. Kelly L. Griffith, Interim Superintendent Talbot County Public Schools

Congratulations to Beverly Davis, CPA, RSBO who is now Director of Budget & Finance at Howard County Public Schools.

Robert J. Black, RLA recently joined Gale Associates, Inc., and is leading the Mid-Atlantic Athletic and Recreation Facilities Design Group. With over 31 years' experience, he brings specialized experience in athletic campus needs assessments, master planning, athletic facilities design, permitting assistance, and construction administration. Mr. Black has authored over 100 competition track, field, and hard court facility designs, many with award-winning results. He is an outstanding addition to Gale’s industry-leading sports consulting team, providing extensive sports design expertise to serve our Mid-Atlantic athletic and recreation facility managers. For more information about Gale and our services, please contact us at info@gainc.com or visit www.galeassociates.com.

At the Delaware Chief School Officers Association (CSOA) June meeting, the Chief School Officers named Dr. David C. Ring, Jr. as the Delaware 2014 Superintendent of the Year. Shawn Brittingham, President, stated that he had received a letter from Dr. Michael Thomas, the CSOA president, announcing the good news at the June 18, 2013 Delmar Board of Education meeting.

Annapolis, MD July 15, 2013 - The Maryland Association of Boards of Education has announced the selection of Col. Donald M. Wade as the Charles W. Willis Award Recipient for 2013.

Former ASBO Executive Director and Past President, Steve Raucher has been elected to the Maryland Senior Citizen’s Hall of Fame  for half a century of community and volunteer activities. He will be installed at their Annual Luncheon on October 17, 2013.

Congratulations to the recent ASBO members who have retired after many years serving the students and teachers of Maryland. As retirees, they will be Emeritus members of ASBO for one year and will be invited to attend the Fall Conference on November 7th as our guest:

Gary McCabe, Assistant Superintendent for Administration in Dorchester County Public Schools
Nancy Zinn, Purchasing Supervisor, Calvert County Public Schools
Sal Ficarro, Anne Arundel County Public Schools
Fran Parker, Baltimore County Public Schools
Rick Stimmel, Carroll County Public Schools
Ric Buchanan, Carroll County Public Schools
Al Eilbacher, Carroll County Public Schools
Jim Parker, Carroll County Public Schools
Judy Hughes, Carroll County Public Schools

ASBO thanks the following retiring member for her many years of service to her schools and the community, and for her support of ASBO. We hope that she will remain active in ASBO to share her experience and knowledge. Pam Montgomery, of Montgomery County Public Schools retired in April 2013 as Director of system-wide safety programs. Pam worked for MCPS for 22 ½ years, and was a long-time ASBO member.

All the elements that create a confident speaker are part of the preparation. By Gail M. Zeman

Difficult issues must be addressed head-on so everyone can focus on positive productivity. By Scott Herrmann, Ed.D., and Margaret Clauson, Ed.D.

Ensure communication is an integral part of the emergency response plan. By Brian N. Moore, RSBS

Weighing the options is important to ensuring the right decision for the community, the district, and the students. By Catherine Cruickshank, MA, DipArch, and Sam Statz, LEED AP

Surviving in today’s world of work requires a fresh mindset and a focus on what you have to offer. By Marshall A. Brown

Rick Gay, CPPO, RSBO, Purchasing Manager Baltimore County Public Schools Recently UPS Freight, the nation's fourth largest less-than-truckload (LTL) carrier, announced a general rate increase averaging 5.9 percent covering non-contractual shipments in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Online ad to drum up support for common core curriculum

Maryland Public Television (MPT) has produced several Common Core video interstitials.

Learn how Rick Gay, CPPO, RSBO, Purchasing Manager | Baltimore County Public Schools initiated the online shopping platform for Maryland Public Schools.