Greater Phoenix Educational Management Council (GPEMC) Arizona Educational Management Council (AZEMC) By Dianne Smith Who We Are AZEMC is an affiliate of the Greater Phoenix Education Management Council (GPEMC) and the two groups are operationally combined. GPEMC was established in 1974 and combined with AZEMC, includes 55 AZ school districts serving 350,000 students. The group is undergoing a strategic expansion in which it plans to add a couple of new districts which represent underserved regions within the organization and can add to the depth of dialogue and perspective. The combined GPEMC/AZEMC group’s mission is to communicate, collaborate, and coordinate activities focused on enhancing student achievement. The GPEMC/AZEMC group is comprised of three divisions: the Superintendents’ Council, the Educational Services (curriculum) Council and the Business Officials Council. Each receive ongoing, timely, up-to-date communications regarding issues AZ school districts’ are facing in addition to the opportunity to collaborate with others in their position. A Q&A forum and document sharing site enables districts to ask questions of each other, “compare notes”, and exchange resources which help to guide district decisions. What Do Our Members Say? “I am in GPEMC/AZEMC because they discuss the issues I deal with daily.” – Dr. Debbi Burdick, Superintendent, Cave Creek Unified “The value of GPEMC/AZEMC is such, that upon my transition to a new district I brought the reommendation to join immediately to my new Governing Board. It was that important to me.” – Dr. Dan Streeter, Superintendent, Marana Unified “The networking is key. I can learn what other districts are doing and vet my thoughts and ideas.” – Dr. Kristi Wilson, Superintendent, Buckeye Elementary Page 3 AZEMC Mission Three key areas promote the Organization’s mission to communicate, collaborate and coordinate activities focused on student success through the 3 Divisions: Superintendent Council, Educational Services Council and the Business Officials Council. COLLABORATIVE DIALOGUE: An opportunity for all Members to engage in a valuable exchange of ideas, thoughts, questions, agree/disagree on solutions yet sharing individual expertise and experiences on behalf of our students to ensure the best possible learning environment necessary to produce excelling ready for their future! schools and students Building on a common belief system, appreciating commonalities and differences, and creating both a strategic and tactically attainable plan of action. LONG-STANDING RELATIONSHIPS and DEVELOPING NEW CONNECTIONS: Maintaining, enhancing and expanding relationships with policymakers both at the political level and with the AZ Department of Education, the AZ State Board of Education and other entities, including the business community, at the local, state and federal levels that provide support and influence on education policy and budget reforms. REALISTIC and PRACTICAL IMPLEMENTATION: Policy and political leaders change, education reform efforts evolve, but the HOW is critical for school leaders. Utilizing timely, accurate, in-depth communication, working collaboratively on the academic and social-emotional needs of our students, engaging with policy leaders to coordinate and advocate when questions arise or clarifications are required enables GPEMC/AZEMC members to implement policies in a realistic and practical manner. (continued on page 8) “Stronger Together!”
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