SAM Update 4-1-16

No foolin' SAM members, April Fools Day is here!
Wow, the end of 3rd quarter is fast approaching in your schools and spring breaks are
drawing to a close. We wish you great success in the last part of the school year in
accomplishing the outstanding work you are doing for the students you serve. Here
are a couple of items for your consideration ...
RISE4MT Zogby Survey to Collect Educator Recruitment and Retention Information
Coming to You
Greetings school and district administrators, as a part of the RISE4MT (Recruiting Incredible School Educators for MT)
effort a Zogby Analytics survey has been developed to get feedback from building and district administrators. Your
response to this survey, if received, is important to the RISE4MT effort to resolve recruitment and retention of quality
educator challenges that may exist in your schools. Given that some school district email filters may send this survey
request to spam, please be sure to check for that. You may be getting an email reminder from Zogby on Monday to
complete the survey. Thank you for your effort to complete and submit the survey.
SAM Membership Drive 2016-17 - We Want You!
At the beginning of next week, your district clerk will be receiving 2016-17 invoices for
membership renewal (school districts) or you may be receiving the invoice directly
(Special Education Cooperatives and Retirees). This invoice will have your member
information, currently in the SAM database, already filled in for you. If there are any
changes or incorrect information that should be adjusted for 2016-17, please contact
your clerk to review the form and make any of these changes. If a new administrator or
new personnel are coming into the district to replace those that are leaving, simply
cross out that name and email on the invoice and write in the correct name and email.
If you are a current or past member, and your invoice happens to be missing in the
information sent to your clerk, you will be able to access a new form on the SAM Join
Here webpage and select your specific affiliate, then find the membership application
link at the top of the benefits page. We would also be happy to send you a completed
invoice if you contact us with that request.
Once you are comfortable and all information checked on the invoice, please have your
clerk send a copy of the invoice with a check to the following address:
School Administrators of Montana
900 N. Montana Avenue, Suite A-4
Helena, MT 59601
Again, we do encourage you to renew your membership early so you can start the next
fiscal year with full benefits of your membership in place and there is no chance of your
membership expiring. Also, if you know of anyone that is new in your district or region
(new administrators, special education directors or technology directors), please share
this membership information with them.

If you know of any staff members that are seeking graduate degrees in school
administration, please encourage them to apply for an Aspiring membership that is
included in the MASS, MAEMSP, and MASSP affiliates.
If you have any questions, please contact Pat Audet, SAM Associate Director at (406)
442-2510 or email atsampa@sammt.org.
School Funding Interim Commission Meeting on April 4-5
The SFIC will be meeting for a 3rd time on Monday and Tuesday next week. The work of this
commission is certainly important as a part of SAM's advocacy priorities. Click HERE to review
the agenda for the meeting. SAM (several administrators and Pat and I) will be participating
throughout the meeting to provide input in the 4 areas of focus identified by the Commission. If
you have questions or input please contact me.
Vision Net Spring Technology Roadshow, June 1, 2016
SAM Business Partner, Vision Net offers a training opportunity for your consideration...
Robust email solutions, document sharing platforms and high-end, real-time collaboration tools are essential to
today’s business success. But which solution – and what features – best meet your company’s needs?
Join Vision Net, a Montana-based communications technology solutions provider, on June 1 in
Billings, for a hands-on, focused discussion of these critical, state-of-the-art technologies.
This one-day event presents a unique opportunity to ask questions, try out product offerings, and hear the
latest news from industry insiders including representatives from Polycom. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with lunch
included.
Northern Hotel
19 N. Broadway
Billings, MT 59101
Seats are limited. Register today at http://roadshow.vision.net/
For more information call (406) 727-5994 ext.4705
Wishing you a great spring weekend!
Kirk