Formed in 1971, the OSBA Small School District Advisory Committee was renamed the Small School District Advisory Network (SSDAN) in 2010. The network consists of at least 10 but no more than 15 small school districts that are representative of all small district interests. The purpose of the SSDAN is to exchange information concerning the education problems of small districts; develop programs and policies to meet the educational needs of small districts; and make recommendations to the OSBA executive director concerning the educational needs of small districts.
Member districts are:
Berne Union Local (Fairfield)
Bright Local (Highland)
Hillsdale Local (Ashland)
Jennings Local (Putnam)
Lockland Local (Hamilton)
New Knoxville Local (Auglaize)
Rittman EV
Walnut Township Local (Fairfield)
Waynesfield-Goshen Local (Auglaize)
OSBA Small School District Advisory Network Guidelines
Composition
The Small School District Advisory Network operates under guidelines within the framework of OSBA beliefs, policies and procedures, and is directly responsible to the executive director. The network consists of at least 10 but no more than 15 small school districts representative of all small district interests. The OSBA executive director serves as the staff coordinator for the network. Expenses are borne by the member districts.
Guidelines
A. The executive director’s Small School District Advisory Network is established pursuant to the Constitution and Bylaws of the OSBA. SSDAN actions shall be consistent with the Constitution and Bylaws and the OSBA Legislative Platform.
B. The executive director’s Small School District Advisory Network shall consist of an assembly of small school districts, based on average daily membership, that are members of the Ohio School Boards Association and indicate an interest in participation in the Small School District Advisory Network. The network shall be constituted so as to be representative of all small school districts in Ohio and shall include, insofar as possible, districts representing rural, urban and suburban districts, districts of differing property tax wealth and districts from the five Ohio School Boards Association regions. Districts appointed as members of the Small School District Advisory Network, including those districts which are members upon the adoption of these guidelines, shall have priority to continue as members so long as they indicate a continuing interest in participation, meet the criteria and are representative of small school districts.
C. Small school districts desiring to join SSDAN must apply in writing to the executive director, indicating an interest in participation and the district’s ability to represent small school districts, together with other information as may be required by the executive director. The executive director, after due consideration of all applications, shall appoint members to the network.
D. Prior to Jan. 15 of each year, each member district shall submit an annual membership form to the executive director indicating the desire to continue participation and naming its delegate and alternate.
E. Any district that does not participate in any meetings during one calendar year for reasons declared insufficient by the executive director will not be considered for membership in the following year.
F. The network shall meet several times during the year and shall meet on the call of the executive director or any two members of the network. All board members of member boards and their superintendents and treasurers are invited to attend all meetings. In certain instances, because of space limitations, attendance may be limited.
G. The executive director shall manage the affairs of the SSDAN between meetings and shall act as is necessary to consider applications for membership.
H. The advisory network shall:
• exchange information concerning the educational problems of small districts;
• develop programs and policies to meet the educational needs of small districts.
• make recommendations to the executive director of OSBA concerning the educational needs of small districts.
I. The advisory network may:
• raise funds among its membership to carry on the purposes of the network, and such funds shall be managed by the executive director;
• enter into mutually agreeable arrangements with OSBA to provide additional staff services to the network and to develop financial support for such services;
• publish through the executive director its studies, views and opinions — such publication shall state that the contents represent the views of the SSDAN and not necessarily those of OSBA.
Approved by Small School District Advisory Committee — September 24, 1997
Approved by OSBA Board of Trustees — January 24, 1998
Approved by Small School District Advisory Committee — January 27, 1999
Approved by OSBA Board of Trustees — June 19, 1999
For more information, contact Terri Shaw at tshaw@ohioschoolboards.org or call (614) 540-4000.