By SUSAN RUMBLE

Special to The Press

Parkland School Board President David Hein reported at the April 19 meeting of his recent attendance at a gathering of the Consortium of State School Boards Associations known as COSSBA.

He said the group is a nonpartisan, national alliance dedicated to sharing resources and information to support, promote, and strengthen state school board associations.

The voluntary federation was founded by state school board associations in late 2021.

Hein stated the guiding principles of COSSBA include being focused and responsive, transparent and efficient, reflective and relevant, representative and accountable, and unified.

He explained COSSBA offers support to state school board associations through staff collaboration, networking and shared resources.

Hein said the networking opportunities will enhance the effectiveness of the work of all participants.

Another goal of COSSBA, he explained, is to track and advocate for federal education issues and judiciary which affect local school boards and public education and which align with the core values of the organization.

In a different item of business, the board approved Suzanne Matey as South Whitehall deputy tax collector.

Matey will be able to receive and collect taxes with the same authority as the tax collector who appointed her, Lynn Anne Kocon.

The tax collector will be responsible for all taxes received by the deputy.

Looking ahead to next year, the board approved eight students with Parkland TV to travel to Punxsutawney, Feb. 1-2, 2023, with an overnight stay for the annual Groundhog Day Festival.