Kremer to delegates: Vision is imperative |
On Board Online • November 5, 2012
In today’s economy, schools must prepare students for jobs that don’t even exist yet, NYSSBA Executive Director Timothy G. Kremer told delegates at NYSSBA’s Annual Business Meeting.
“Just ask Beth LaPierre, who became Kodak’s first ever ‘Chief Listening Officer’ in 2010,” Kremer said. Before moving on to another job, LaPierre monitored more than 300,000 daily mentions of Kodak on Facebook, Twitter, message forums, YouTube, blogs, and elsewhere on the Web each day.
“Other graduates will become app developers, data miners, social media managers, eldercare consultants, sustainability experts and user experience designers. None of these well-paying careers existed 10 years ago.”
While no one has a crystal ball, “your board is expected by your community to embrace a global perspective and find ways to prepare students for success wherever they go or whatever they do.”
Preparing students for tomorrow is a complex challenge, Kremer said.
“I have faith that school boards will do their part,” he said. “But you cannot do it alone, which is why you are assembled here today. Your actions today will send a message to state officials and the general public that NYSSBA members are eager partners in the quest for innovative and fundamental change in public education.”
Noting that the resolutions passed by members set NYSSBA’s legislative agenda, Kremer said the process is an essential one if school boards are to remain a factor in state and national discussions on school funding and policies. “When so many people would prefer to ignore school boards, NYSSBA, acting as your voice, is a constant reminder to state and national leaders, the unions and the media that school boards have the legal authority and responsibility to set policy, secure resources and evaluate success.”
He added: “What you are doing here today will make a difference because student-centered, forward-thinking, courageous school board leadership has never been more in demand.”