AASPA Committees

AASPA committees are a driving force in the development of new programs and services for members and for school personnel administrators. Through collaboration and initiatives, these dedicated volunteers provide information crucial to advancing the profession of school personnel administrators. 

By joining an AASPA committee you’re doing more than volunteering—you’re shaping the future of school HR administration. If you have questions about participating in any of these committees, please contact us.

Committee/Involvement Form

Committee/Involvement Google Form

Past Committee Members

Legislative & Governmental

The Legislative and Governmental Committee annually set national legislative priorities, monitors information from advocacy firm and informs AASPA members of pending legislation involving and impacting school personnel initiatives.
* Meets quarterly for 1 hour + providing input via e-mail upon request
Deby Valadez
Deby Valadez
Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Glendale Elementary School District (623)237-7169
Chair
Brian Murphy
Brian Murphy
pHCLE, eHCLE Chief of Strategy and Organizational Development Toledo Public Schools (419)671-0210
Co-Chair

Membership

The Membership Committee develops both long-term and short-term goals that will continuously support efforts to promote AASPA membership, including assisting with recruitment and retention, and promoting the benefits and services offered by the organization.
* Meets quarterly for 1 hour + engagement forum work & resource document review
Michele Stephens
Michele Stephens
Ed. S., pHCLE Director of Human Resources Rockdale County Public Schools (770)860-4228
Chair
Jessica Bennington
Jessica Bennington
pHCLE, eHCLE Executive Director of Human Resources Ogden City School District (801)737-7318
Co-Chair

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

The purpose of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee is to serve as the collaborating body for joint action on minority issues of common interest by advocating for the election, appointment, hiring, promotion, and recognition of minorities to positions of influence; and to provide a forum for information exchange and networking.
* Meets for 1 hour at the annual conference + participation on other committees and professional development work
Lenichtka Reed
Lenichtka Reed
pHCLE Associate HR Director Tigard-Tualatin School District (503)431-4018
Chair
Rodney Lewis
Rodney Lewis
Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources St Charles School District (636)443-4003
Co-Chair

Nominating

The Nominating Committee vets applications and presents to the Executive Board and membership recommendations for candidates for elected positions as association officers and Executive Board members.
* Meets for 1 hour in the spring and fall + candidate application review and email confirmations
Dr. Latanza Harrison
Dr. Latanza Harrison
pHCLE, eHCLE Chief Human Resources Officer Alabaster City Schools (205)663-8470
Chair
Marissa McKenzie
Marissa McKenzie
School Business Admin East Orange School District (973)266-5777
Co-Chair

Professional Development

The Professional Development Committee supports the professional development plan for the association including work on the monthly professional development themes and volunteering for or recruiting for webinars, sessions, blogs, podcasts and articles.
* Meets quarterly for 1 hour + commitment to one month to support PD offerings
Julie Grotophorst
Julie Grotophorst
pHCLE Director of Human Resources Greendale Schools (414)423-2703
Chair
Debbie Simons
Debbie Simons
Chief Human Resources Officer Northwest Regional ESD (541)842-3625
Co-Chair

Recognitions

The Recognition Committee recognizes contributions of an outstanding nature made by members to the association; recognizes outstanding contributions by members or a school district to school personnel administration; recognizes outstanding contributions made by those outside the association in the area of school personnel administration; recognizes outstanding contributions of AASPA affiliate organizations. This work is done through the recognition application process.
* Meets for 1 hour in the spring and fall + candidate application review and email confirmations
Michelle Hackney
Michelle Hackney
Director of Human Resources Spring Hill School District USD 230 (913)592-7111
Chair
Kimberly Schulte
Director of Human Resources Torrington Public Schools (860)489-2327
Co-Chair

Scholarship

The Scholarship Committee annually selects the recipient of the AASPA scholarships based on the process and criteria established by the committee; develops, continually monitors and refines the process and criteria for selecting candidates for AASPA scholarships, including the amount of the scholarship awards, financial accounting guidelines for the scholarship awards, and other details regarding the administration of the scholarship program; provides suggestions and ideas for expanding the fundraising opportunities to support annual scholarship awards.
Steffanie Frost
Steffanie Frost
Director of Human Resources McMinnville School District (503)565-4000
Chair
Cedric Hawkins
Assistant Superintendent White Hall School District 8702472002
Co-Chair

Constitution & By-laws

The Constitution and By-laws Committee reviews annually the association’s Constitution and By-laws to determine whether the purpose and the governance of the association are adequately reflected in the document; prepares amendments to better serve the organizations needs.
* Meets quarterly for 1 hour + provides input via email upon request
Leigh Ann Blackmore
Director, Labor Relations Orange County Public Schools - FL (407)317-3337
Chair
Pete Theis
Pete Theis
Director, Human Resources Libertyville School District 70 (847)522-8051
Co-Chair