Dear State Commissioners and Ex-Officio Members,
So many of you who work in education – especially those who are teachers, principals, or superintendents – are engaged in the front lines of our war against the pandemic, and we cannot help but be in awe of the yeoman service you are giving.
The uncertainty of these times makes it all the more vital that we provide certainty and steadiness to the military families whom we serve. It also makes it all the more important that we (myself, Vice Chair Laura Anastasio, members of the executive committee, and our superb national office staff) do all that we can to support you.
It’s equally important that we avoid the temptation to deviate from our mission. The fluid, changing situations created by the pandemic will present possibilities of getting involved in areas of education that reside outside of our legal authority. Grading systems, college admissions, recognition programs were omitted from the Compact by design. With that in mind, we must be sure not to give our military families false hope that we will address issues that are not covered by the Compact. We must not hint that we can change the Compact to fit their particular situations. And we must not overburden any of our members, especially those whose plates are already full, with calls for action in areas that by law do not belong to us. We must stay in our lane and focus on our statutory mission.
Turning to more practical matters:
- 2020 Mid-Year Survey - was released on May 26. Please respond by Friday, June 12, 6:00pm Hawaii Time.
- 2020 Annual Business Meeting (ABM) - the EXCOM is evaluating the feasibility of holding an in-person vs. virtual meeting, and will make a decision later this month. Information will be released when available.
- End-of-year Reporting - Member state annual reports are normally due to the Commission by June 30.
- However, with most Commissioners involved in mitigating COVID-19 issues, the deadline for submittal and to hold your annual state council meeting has been extended to September 30, 2020.
- Review the State Council Meeting Report to ensure your meeting date is listed and provide the documentation to the national office. The report will be published in the upcoming Annual Report and the ABM Docket Book in September.
- For more information on state requirements, refer to Policy #1-2017: State Coordination or contact the national office for assistance.
Finally, the Commission recently received an inquiry from the State of Tennessee regarding the value of the Compact, their financial investment in the Commission, and other matters. The Commission's response may be helpful should you or your State Council encounter similar questions.
It doesn’t seem enough to thank you for all that you do in these trying times, but please know how very much we appreciate your exceptional efforts on behalf of military families. Steadfastness and devotion to duty are characteristics we typically associate with the military – but in this case, they apply equally to all of you. It’s a privilege to serve with you.
Respectfully,
John I. "Don" Kaminar
Chair
