Governance of the Coalition

The Coalition of Rural and Appalachian Schools (CORAS) is a Regional Council of Governments. The CORAS Board of Directors is composed of 17 members.  One elected and one appointed from each of the seven regions into which the 29 Appalachian counties are divided; and three from Ohio University College of Education. Board members from school districts serve a  three year term.  Three or four regular Board meetings, including a summer planning conference, are held annually.  A part-time executive director is employed by the Board.
Coalition Linkages
The Coalition of Rural and Appalachian Schools has a special partnership agreement with the Ohio University College of  Education which includes support for conducting research, a contribution to the Director’s salary, and office space.  Secretarial assistance is also provided by the College of  Education. The Coalition also maintains a liaison relationship with the Buckeye Association of School Administrators, Ohio Association of Secondary Administrators, Ohio Association of Elementary School Administrators, Ohio School Boards Association, Ohio Association of School Business Officials, State Department of Education, Coalition for Equity and Adequacy of School Funding, Ohio University Leadership Project and Ohio Appalachian Center for Higher Education. Informal linkages are sought with other regional institutions involved with the professional preparation and continuing development of educators for the region’s schools.
   Membership Meetings
Professional development and informational meetings are typically held in the months of September, October, January, March, April and June at various sites throughout the region to encourage broad-based participation.  Visitors and guests are welcomed. Meeting dates are listed below.

 

2008-09 Meetings 

COALITION OF RURAL AND APPALACHIAN SCHOOLS

For registration information contact Lori at (740) 593-4414 or (740) 593-4445 or send email to: stumpl@ohiou.edu   All meetings except the  summer meeting/golf outing will require a $15.00 registration fee to cover continental breakfast, buffet lunch and handouts. The summer meeting/golf outing fees will be determined later. (For additional fees, see NEW THIS YEAR: GRADUATE CREDIT, WITH NO TUITION FEE, FOR ATTENDING CORAS MEETINGS below.)

 

 

NEW THIS YEAR

GRADUATE CREDIT, WITH NO TUITION FEE, FOR ATTENDING CORAS MEETINGS

Graduate Credit

The Ohio University College of Education will grant one (1) quarter hour of credit to personnel from CORAS member school districts who attend the first four programs (September 16, 2008; October 28, 2008; January 27, 2009; and March 10,2009). The College of Education will waive the tuition fee. However, Ohio University requires an $85 general fee.

Registration Fee

CORAS will charge each participant $15 to cover the continental breakfast, lunch and session handouts.

For additional information see "CORAS Meeting Dates and Programs 2008-09" below.

 

 

 

CORAS Meeting Dates & Programs

  2008-09

        

 

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

 

9:00 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.

A Look at the National Education Landscape–What Does it Mean for My  District?

Change in the national education landscape is in continuous motion. States measuring student growth and achievement. The reauthorization of No Child Left Behind. Districts and states starting to differentiate educator compensation. New political leaders. Attend this session to learn more about current national trends, their implications for your district and the importance of a systematic approach to school improvement. Learn how to communicate about these issues to your staff members and your community. Presenters will use interactive technology to immediately gauge audience feedback about these national trends.

Presenters: Battelle for Kids: Dr. Jim Mahoney, Executive Director, and Rick Studer, Senior Director of Marketing &Communications

Location

Olde Dutch Restaurant, Logan

_______________________________________________

 

Tuesday, October 28, 2008  

 

9:00 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.

Highly-Effective Teaching Revealed and Replicated Through Classroom-Level Value-Added Analysis

What does preliminary research suggest about the characteristics and practices of teachers whose students produce exceptional academic gains? How do these teachers use value-added analysis to guide their professional development and personalize instruction? Attend this session to learn about T-CAP (Teachers Connecting Achievement & Progress), a classroom-level value-added initiative. Learn how this group of Ohio educators is piloting the use of classroom-level value-added information to accelerate progress and maximize opportunity for their students.

Presenters: Battelle for Kids: Dr. Mike Thomas, Senior Director of Innovative Solutions, and Dr. Mary Peters, Director of Value-Added Services

Location

Olde Dutch Restaurant, Logan

__________________________________________________________

 

 

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

 

9:00 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.

 

Help Your District Develop a Vision for Assessment Excellence

When teachers practice high-quality assessment for learning, student progress accelerates. In fact, research shows that few education interventions have come close to having the same impact as assessment for learning. However, assessment training and support are virtually absent in pre-service and in-service professional development programs. Attend this session to learn critical steps district and school leaders can take to create a school culture that embraces and supports staff members’ ability to implement ongoing formative assessments to accelerate student progress.

Presenters: Battelle for Kids:  Diane Stultz, Professional Development Director, and Kate Kennedy and Sandy Ritchey, Learning Facilitators

Location

Olde Dutch Restaurant, Logan

____________________________________________________

 

Tuesday, March 10, 2009 

 

9:00 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.

 

Leadership for Results

Developing highly-effective educators is a real skill—one that is essential for carrying out a successful school improvement plan. Discover how developing leadership and leveraging excellence within a district at ALL levels is necessary, and possible, to help students progress and achieve at the highest levels. Attend this session to learn how to recognize and recruit talented people, develop leaders and use coaching techniques to encourage and support staff members.

Presenters: Battelle for Kids: Dr. Mike Thomas, Senior Director of Innovative Solutions, and Tony Bagshaw, Senior Director of Knowledge Management

Location

Olde Dutch Restaurant, Logan

_____________________________________________________

 

  Tuesday, April 28, 2009  

 

9:00 a.m. - 1:00 pm.

 

Samuel I. Hicks Executive-in-Residence Program

 

2009 Hicks Honoree

 

John D. Stanford, J.D., Ph.D.

Executive Assistant For Policy Education to Governor Strickland

 

Location

 

Ohio University Inn, Athens

 

____________________________________________________

 

 

 

  Tuesday, June 9, 2009

 

8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

 

Annual Summer Meeting and Golf Outing

 

Location

 

EagleSticks Golf Club and Inn, Zanesville

              

 

 

 

2007-08 Meetings 

COALITION OF RURAL AND APPALACHIAN SCHOOLS

 

 

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2007

9:00 AM TO 1:00 PM

________________________

PROGRAM

“FY 08-09 SCHOOL FUNDING UPDATE”

WITH DICK MAXWELL

________________________

Presenter

Dick Maxwell, School Finance Expert, BASA Senior Fellow,

former BASA Executive Director and retired School Superintendent

 

________________________

 

 

Location

 

Olde Dutch Restaurant

 Logan, Ohio

 

 

 

 

 

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2007

 

9:00 AM to 1:00 PM 

 

 _______________ 

 

 

PROGRAM

 

 

“SCHOOL FUNDING AND EDUCATION REFORM 

IN OHIO”

A Discussion with the Governor’s Education Policy Advisor

 and Other Ohio Education Leaders

 PRESENTERS

         Dr. John Stanford, Executive Assistant to Governor Strickland for Education Policy

                 Dr. George Wood, Director, The Forum on Education and Democracy and

                                                Chair of Governor Strickland’s ODE Transition Team

                 Dr. Richard Murray,  CORAS President and Superintendent, Muskingum Valley ESC

________________________

 

 

Location

 

Olde Dutch Restaurant

 Logan, Ohio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2008

 

9:30 AM to 1:00 PM

 

_______________________

 

PROGRAM

 

Improving Teacher Preparation and Relevant Professional Development for Ohio’s Rural Appalachian Schools 

CORAS Superintendents and College of Education Deans

From Ohio's Colleges and Universities Discuss the Issues

 

 _____________________

 

Location

 

Olde Dutch Restaurant

Logan, Ohio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2008

 

9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

_______________________

 

 

PROGRAM

 Featuring

“A VARIETY OF ISSUES”

  "A Program for Your Students" 

…Nancy Whetstone, Executive Director  

_________________

“Retirement” 

…Dr. Dennis Leone, Member, STRS Board of Directors  

_________________

"TCAP..Teachers Connecting Achievement & Progress"

...Tony Bagshaw, Senior Director, Knowledge Management, Battelle for Kids

_________________

“ State Board of Education School Funding Reform Subcommittee Discussions/Ideas” 

…Paolo DeMaris, Associate State Superintendent for the Center of School Finance  

_________________

“A Vision for Education Reform and School Funding in Ohio” 

…Debbie Phillips, Candidate, 92nd House District

 

_______________________

 

Location

 

Ramada Inn (formerly Holiday Inn)

Zanesville, Ohio

 

 

 

 

TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2008  

 

9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

 

_________________

 

 

Program

 

 

Hicks Executive-in-Residence 

 

 

Hicks Honoree

 

 

Dr. Kern Alexander

 

Professor of Excellence

Educational Organization & Leadership

University of Illinois

________________

 

Guest Speaker

 

 

Michael Shoemaker

 

Executive Director

Ohio School Facilities Commission

_______

 

 

Location

 

Ohio University Inn

 

Athens, Ohio

 

 

 

 

 

 

TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2008

8:30 AM TO 5:00 PM

________________________

 

 Annual Summer Meeting and Golf Outing

 

_______________

 

Program

 

 Recognize Retiring CORAS Superintendents

 

Recognize Superintendents and School Districts Receiving "Excellent" on Local District Report Cards

 

Present Plaques to Retiring Members of the  CORAS Board of Directors

 

"Passing the Gavel" from CORAS President Richard Murray to President-elect David Branch

 

________________________

 

 

Location

 

EagleSticks Golf Club and Inn

 Zanesville, Ohio

 

 

 

 

 

2006-07 Meetings 

COALITION OF RURAL AND APPALACHIAN SCHOOLS 

 

 

 

Thursday, September 21, 2006

9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

_________________________________

PROGRAM

Ohio Educational Regional Service System

Presenter

Craig Burford, Executive Director

Ohio Educational Service Center Association

__________________________

 

Rural Early Adolescents Learning Program

 Meeting the Challenges Faced by Rural Schools

Presenter

Dr. Thomas W. Farmer, Co-director

National Research Center on Rural Education Support 

 Associate Professor, Pennsylvania State University

__________________________

LOCATION

 Ohio University Inn

Athens, Ohio

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday, October 31, 2006 

 

 

9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

 

 _______________

 

 

PROGRAM

 

 

 

Value-Added: The Next Generation Tool for

 

 School Improvement.

 

What have we learned? Where is it going?

 

 

Battelle for Kids: Bringing clarity to school improvement

 

The presentation will focus on how people are using value-added, results of high progressing places, where it will fit in the Ohio accountability system, and where it is headed.

 

_______________

 

Presenters

 

Dr. James W. Mahoney

 

Battelle for Kids Executive Director

and Staff

 

_______________

 

LOCATION

 

 Olde Dutch Restaurant

Logan, Ohio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Tuesday, January 16, 2007

 

9:30 AM to 1:30 PM

_________________________________

PROGRAM

 

 

THE SCHOOL-FUNDING CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

 

 PROPOSAL, WHY IMMEDIATE ACTION IS NECESSARY AND

 

 WHAT SUPERINTENDENTS MUST DO TO "GET IT DONE."

 

_______________________

 

Presenters

 

   … Jim Betts, Executive Director, Alliance for Adequate School Funding

  … David Varda, Executive Director, Ohio Association of School Business Officials

  …Jerry Klenke, Executive Director, BASA  

   …Richard Lewis, Executive Director, OSBA

  …Richard Murray, CORAS, President-elect & work group representative 

  …William L. Phillis, Executive Director, E&A Coalition                             

   …Jerry Narcisi, Retired Superintendent & CORAS work group representative

 

__________________________

 

LOCATION

 Olde Dutch Restaurant

 

Logan, Ohio

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday, March 13, 2007 

 

 9:00 AM to 1:30 PM

_________________________________

PROGRAM

 Ohio's Reality in a Flat World:  

"You can not discover new oceans unless you have the courage to lose site of the shore."
_____________________

 How to Apply For Martha Holden Jennings Grants

__________________________

STRS Today and What to Expect in the Future

__________________________

 

SPEAKERS

Don Washburn, South Central Ohio ESC

Dan Kalish, Former Director of the Jennings Foundation

Dennis Leone, STRS Board of Directors

 

LOCATION

 Holiday Inn 

 

Zanesville, Ohio

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday, April 24, 2007 

 

  9:00 AM to 1:30 PM

_________________________________

PROGRAM

 Hicks Executive-in-Residence 

HICKS HONOREE

Dr. Brenda Haas, Executive Director 

Ohio Appalachian Center for Higher Education

  "Challenges and Successes in Ohio's Rural Appalachian School Districts"

__________________________

 

SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER

 

 Dr. George Wood, Director

 The Forum for Education and Democracy

 

AGENCY REVIEW: OHIO DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

     "Conducted by the Stickland Transition Team"

_____________________

LOCATION

 Ohio University Inn

 

Athens, Ohio

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

 

 

9:00 AM to 6:00 PM 

 

 _______________ 

 

 

PROGRAM

 

 

 Annual Summer Meeting and Golf Outing

 

_______________

 

Program

 

 Recognize Retiring CORAS Superintendents

 

Recognize Superintendents and School Districts Receiving "Excellent" on Local District Report Cards

 

Present Plaques to Retiring Members of the  CORAS Board of Directors

 

"Passing the Gavel" from CORAS President Charles Bizzari to President-elect Richard Murray

_______________

 

Tee Time 10:30 a.m.

_______________

 

LOCATION

 

 EagleSticks Golf Club and Inn

Zanesville, Ohio

 

 

 

 

 

2005-06 Meetings 

COALITION OF RURAL AND APPALACHIAN SCHOOLS

 

 

 

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2005

9:00 AM TO 1:00 PM

________________________

Opening Remarks

Dr. Roderick McDavis

President

Ohio University

________________________

 

PROGRAM

“2005-06 SCHOOL FINANCE UPDATE”

WITH DICK MAXWELL

________________________

Presenter

Dick Maxwell, School Finance Expert, 

former BASA Executive Director and retired School Superintendent

 

________________________

 

Program Addendum

 

"What The Educate Ohio Constitutional Amendment Does For Me."

Jerry Narcisi, Superintendent

Shadyside Local School District

________________________

 

 

Location

 

Olde Dutch Restaurant

 Logan, Ohio

 

 

 

 

Tuesday, October 25, 2005

9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

_________________________________

PROGRAM

“Why Public Schools Are Losing the Public Debate about Education.”

Program description: “By adopting a traditional, primarily reactive communications process, public schools across Ohio find themselves losing the debate about public education – to the delight of their critics, including charter school supporters. By better understanding the news media and how to shape public discourse, public schools can begin fighting back.”

Presenters

The Cochran Group Inc.

Tim Miller and Angela Hazlett

________________________________

"Think Ohio"

Presenter

Jody Blankenship

Ohio Historical Society

_______________

LOCATION

Holiday Inn

Zanesville, Ohio

 

 

 

 

Tuesday, January 31, 2006

9:00 AM to 1:15 PM

_________________________________

PROGRAM

 

 Someone's Communicating With Your Staff.

 

Is It You?

 

Featured Presenter:  

Don Miller

Don G. Miller & Associates, Inc.

 

_______________  

Aimpoint Libraries

Presenter:

Patrick Heekin

 Aimpoint Research

 

_____________

 

 "Lincoln Looks at Life and Liberty"

Presenter: