Timely Early Bird Workshops: Friday, April 9
Explore the diverse work of school boards, and kick off your Conference experience!
Pre-registration is required for all Early Bird Workshops.
Morning Sessions 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
#1 Who Cares? Customer Service and Public Schools: Applying Ten Concepts from the Business World
Home schools, private schools, and charter schools are in competition for students with our public schools. Discover how Mason County Schools in Kentucky has borrowed customer service concepts from companies like Disney and Southwest Airlines in anticipation of the day when students can choose districts without boundaries.
Presenters: Kelly E. Middleton, Associate Superintendent and Tim G Moore, Superintendent; Mason County Schools (KY)
$150 for National Affiliate Districts; $175 others
#2 Herding Cats: 10 Steps to Meaningful Change
School leaders are called upon to initiate change efforts in school districts that will produce lasting, meaningful change. But moving from vision to reality can be a bumpy ride. Learn about 10 steps to implement any change effort that anticipates these political issues and produces a successful outcome.
Presented by Dr. Peggy J. Hinckley, Superintendent, Metropolitan School District of Warren Township (IN)
$150 for National Affiliate Districts; $175 others
#3 Fostering System Wide Ethics
When it comes to ethics in a school district, the issues may not always be as easy as black/white and right/wrong. This session will allow board members and other educational leaders the opportunity to explore the gray areas of ethics through scenarios and role playing, share ethical decision making experiences, and explore ways to create a climate of integrity and trust through their governance role.
Presented by Paula K. Mirk, Director of Education, The Institute for Global Ethics
$150 for National Affiliate Districts; $175 others
Afternoon Sessions 1:30 - 4:30 PM
#4 Good Measures for Good School Governance: Helping School Boards Create a Culture for Data Use
School boards will be introduced to the kinds of data they need for continuous school improvement and shown how to present it so that it communicates well to the public. This work is the result of a pilot project led by NSBA's Center for Public Education in partnership with state school board associations in California, Illinois, and Michigan. Attendees will participate in a board development process using data to drive decision making.
No fee for this session, but pre-registration is required and limited to the first 100 registrants.
#5 Making a Difference in Student Learning: Best Practice for Boards and Superintendents
Across the country, school districts are getting significant results in improving student achievement. Understanding the key findings of several well-documented research studies about best practices by boards and superintendents can help you gain positive student results. Take home concrete advice that can help you be an effective leader in creating a district that is capable of continuous improvement in student learning.
Lisa Bartusek, Associate Executive Director, Board Leadership, and Susan Olesen, Educational Improvement Director, Iowa Association of School Boards
$150 for National Affiliate Districts; $175 others
#6 School Security and Emergency Planning: Safe School Trends and Best Practices
Hear about the latest trends in school security and emergency preparedness. You'll review common gaps in security and emergency plans, how to communicate safety issues to parents, and best practices for reducing threats and liabilities. Hot topics include engaging school support staff in crisis planning, school bus security, and dealing with angry persons on campus.
Presented by Kenneth Trump, President, National School Safety and Security Services and Charles Hibbert, President, Hibbert Safe School Consulting
$150 for National Affiliate Districts; $175 others
Full-Day Sessions - 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM (lunch on your own Noon - 1:30 PM)
#7 Meeting the Governing Challenge
Explore the five key elements of Doug Eadie's High-Impact Governing Model-a powerful tool for developing the kind of board leadership and board-CEO partnership that your district needs to succeed. This model gives guidance to transform your board, teaches a new way to approach decision making, and helps define the roles of the board and superintendent/CEO.
Presented by Doug Eadie, consultant, educator, and author.
$250 for National Affiliate Districts; $300 others
#8 Teambuilding and the Board of Education
Board members and superintendents want to be part of successful, hard-working teams. What are the characteristics of an effective governance team? How can board members work cooperatively together to assure effective leadership for the district? Join Yona Lunken, past member of the Henry-Senachwine CUSD 5 Board of Education (IL), and John J. Cassel, Director, Field Services, Illinois Association of School Boards, for real world solutions that address team communications, goal setting, leadership, trust, and conflict resolution.
$250 for National Affiliate Districts; $300 others
#9 Governing Coherently: How Two School Boards Built a Solid Foundation for Sensible, Systematic and Sustainable Leadership
This session is guaranteed to help participants carefully examine how they and their boards do business, and it will raise questions about whether current methods of governing make sense. Governing responsibly, with accountability and with systemic alignment and coherence should be the goal of every board. Find out how school boards in Racine, WI and San Diego, CA chose to accomplish that task using Coherent Governance, allowing a rigorous focus on student achievement and accountability.
Presented by Linda J. Dawson and Dr. Randy Quinn, Senior Partners, The Aspen Group International, LLC
$250 for National Affiliate Districts; $300 others