Attendance becomes driver's license requirement in Nevada

A truancy reduction bill sponsored by Sen. Aaron Ford, D-Las Vegas, became law on Jan. 1, and could keep kids from getting behind the wheel. When a student between 14 and 18 years old applies for a driver’s license, they must now submit a letter from school officials stating that they have met attendance requirements.

A student declared a “habitual truant” will have their license suspended for 30 days to six months. If a student has yet to obtain a license and has numerous unexcused absences, they will not be able to get one until the situation is resolved.

Larry Nyland, interim superintendent of Seattle Public Schools, was named superintendent by the school board in December. The school board decided not to conduct a national search to fill the position due to Nyland’s experience in leading districts out of difficult situations. His contract runs through June 2017. He was previously superintendent in the Marysville and Pasco school districts, also in Washington state.

Principal Janeece Docal of Powell Elementary School, part of District of Columbia Public Schools, won the district’s 2014 Principal of the Year award in December. Docal received a $10,000 prize for her track record of success, which includes increasing student achievement and boosting enrollment—from 200 a few years ago to more than 400 this year. She has been principal since 2009.

John Kreider, a high school principal in North Hills School District in Pennsylvania, won the first Pennsylvania School Counselors Association’s Administrator Award in December. Kreider collaborated with the counseling department on several initiatives, including creating high school academies that align coursework with career interests, and expanding dual-enrollment programs. He also includes school counselors in major decision making about curriculum and program planning, his colleagues say.

Douglas Levin, executive director of the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA), will leave his position early this year. Levin became the organization’s first full-time executive director in 2009. During his time at SETDA, the organization’s school connectivity recommendations were adopted by President Obama as a core component of the ConnectED initiative and served as the basis for the FCC’s E-rate program modernization.

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