February 12,  2007

Conference Call

Joe Bard, Chair, PA

Kari Arfstrom, AESA

Barb Havlicek, KS

Mike Kellogg, OK

Mary Kusler, AASA

1. Legislative Agenda

The 2007 Legislative Agenda was reviewed by the committee and approved by the group. No changes or additions were suggested.

2. Secure Rural Schools and Communities Self-Determination Act

The latest tact is to try and get the one-ye ar extension on the Emergency Supplemental Funding bill that is to be considered by Congress over the coming month. A sample letter for school administrators to send to their members of Congress is attached Please have them email or fax their letters to their members of Congress as soon as possible. Only though a massive grassroots effort will this program be able to be extended.

3. FY 2008 Budget Talking Points

Mary reviewed the attached talking points. Joe will make plans to post these talking points on the website. The budget is not any better then expected. We will have to fight hard to receive additional funding in this Congress.

4. DPC Conference Call

On Friday morning, Mary participated in a conference call with the Democratic Policy Committee who sets the agenda for the Senate Democrats. The conference call was focused on the impact of the president’s budget on rural America. Mary was the only education person on the call. The call was lead by Senators Lincoln (AR), Stabenow (MI) and Tester (MT). Mary was given the opportunity to share our views on the budget and the impact that the proposed cuts in IDEA, Medicaid and the ESEA Title programs will have on rural America and received good feedback on our comments. There will likely be more conference calls with this rural feedback group over the next year. The coalition will continue to be updated when there is a call.

5. Proposed REAP Changes

We are still waiting on DoE to deliver the REAP lists of eligible school districts that have not applied yet to Mary. As soon as they are emailed Mary will send it out to the greater list.

Also, rumors are circulating around the Department’s reauthorization proposals for REAP, including their desire to change the Small and Rural Schools Achievement Program into a state grant program. This will take the direct federal to local link out. In addition, they would like to rewrite the formula to make it more equal per pupil rather than equalizing per school district. These changes would completely undermine the program. School districts need to start speaking out in support of REAP.

6. Next Conference Call

The next conference call will be on Monday, March 12^th from 1pm to 2pm EST. The call in number is 1-877-393-3856 and the pass code is 574160.