Ready, Set, Govern: The Key Work of School Board Members

In today's high-stakes educational environment, the daily pressure on governance leaders is enormous. The more effective the board team, the better a school district's students perform. 

The Key Work of School Boards provides a framework that reflects 'best governance practices' that are traceable to high-performing boards and high-performing school districts. This session provides an overview of a relevant and reliable governance guide to a board during times of conflict and ideas to become a stronger team. 

This session, though not required, is also the beginning of the Ready Set Govern track, a series of sessions for both newly elected members and those individuals wanting a refresher on core areas of board work.

Presenters: 

• Timi Tullis - Board Consultant
• Mary Fertakis - Former School Board Director, Tukwila (WA) 

A Strong Superintendent–Board Team: Your Path to Effective Board Governance
Effective board meetings are more than a place to conduct business—they’re a reflection of a strong, collaborative board–superintendent team. When this team functions well, the entire district benefits—from better decision-making to community confidence and student success. Participants will explore what it takes to build and sustain a high-functioning superintendent–board team by using real-world scenarios and best practices in governance. Attendees will assess team dynamics, identify growth-areas, and learn strategies to enhance collaboration, define roles, and build shared accountability.

Learning Objectives:

1. Increased understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the school board and superintendent.
2. Explore strategies that build trust and collaboration between the school board and superintendent.
3. Gain tools to carry out effective board meetings.
4. Be equipped with practical tips and strategies to bring back to your school board

Presenters:

• Jenni Lefing, Membership Services Manager, Association of Alaska School Boards
• Jamie McPherson, Deputy Director of Leadership Development, New York State School Boards Association
• Peter Hoepfner, Board Development Coordinator, Association of Alaska School Boards

AI Basics for Educational Leaders: The Strengths and Pitfalls of AI Use at a District Level
AI is already shaping classrooms, operations, and expectations in your district—but many boards feel unprepared to lead the conversation. This beginner-friendly, hands-on session equips educational leaders to understand AI’s strengths and pitfalls, experience common generative AI tools (such as ChatGPT, Microsoft CoPilot, and Google Gemini), and identify the right questions to guide equitable, responsible AI use at the district level.

Learning Objectives:

1. Define generative AI and describe current uses in K–12 education.
2. Identify at least three district-level risks and three benefits of AI adoption.
3. Use generative AI tools (ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini) at the district level, such as drafting communications and policies, and analyzing school data.
4. Formulate key questions boards should ask about equity, privacy, and strategic alignment when evaluating AI tools.
5. Articulate the board’s role in modeling transparent and ethical leadership around technology use.

Presenter:

• Michelle Ihrig, Founder & CEO, Growth Mindset Collaborative

Classism 101: Understanding the Impact of Socioeconomic Status in Our Schools and Classrooms
Class and socioeconomic status are often invisible in equity discussions, yet they deeply influence student achievement and well-being. In this interactive session, board members and educators will explore five levels of class and examine how economic disparities shape school experiences. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of class identity and a customizable professional development framework to use in their own districts.

Learning Objectives:

1. Recognize class and socioeconomic status as social identities that influence school climate and student experience.
2. Reflect on and articulate their own class background and how it shapes their perspective.
3. Identify and define the five levels/classifications of socioeconomic status and classism.
4. Engage in structured, meaningful dialogue with peers on the impact of class in education.
5. Develop an initial action plan or set of strategies to advance equity efforts related to classism in their district.

Presenters:

• Michael Dodge, Trainer/Search Consultant, Massachusetts Association of School Committees
• Stefania Raschilla, Superintendent, West Springfield Public Schools
• Kerry Martins, Executive Director of Family Engagement & Educational Services, West Springfield Public Schools

Sharing the Magic: Storytelling for School Leaders
Great leaders are great storytellers! In this dynamic preconference session, school board members will learn how to craft and share the powerful stories happening in their schools and communities. Through interactive activities and real examples, attendees will gain tools to craft authentic, engaging messages that build trust, inspire action, and foster pride. Leave with the confidence and skills to tell your district’s story with heart, clarity, and purpose. Each participant will leave the session with three well-crafted and practiced stories to share immediately!

Learning Objectives:

1. Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to craft compelling stories that highlight the strengths of their school communities.
2. Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to identify key moments and messages that build trust and engagement with stakeholders.
3. Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to apply storytelling techniques in board presentations, media, and community outreach.
4. Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to model and promote a culture of storytelling throughout their district leadership teams.

Presenter:

• Raymond Lauk, Associate Professor, Eastern Kentucky University

Ready, Set, Govern: Roles and Responsibilities | Saturday, April 11 from 9 – 10:15 a.m.
Once you are elected as a board member, the real learning begins. What does it mean to govern vs. manage the district? How does the board build mutual trust with its superintendent and ensure a clear understanding of their respective roles? Based on NSBA’s Becoming a Better Board Member, participants will engage in discussions around ‘who does what’ to gain a better understanding of you in your new role vs. what the expectations are of the superintendent.

FOCUS AREA(s): Governance & Executive Leadership

Speakers:

• Jamie McPherson, MEd - Deputy Director of Leadership Development, New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA)
  
• Mark Snyder, MS - Senior Leadership Development Manager, New York State School Boards Association ( NYSSBA)
  

Ready, Set, Govern: Running an Effective Meeting (Parliamentary Procedure) | Saturday, April 11 from 10:30 – 11:45 a.m.
Following the rules of parliamentary procedure can go a long way toward providing order in your decision-making process as a school board. Ethical and appropriate behavior for school board members is expected, and community engagement is embraced. Based on NSBA’s Becoming a Better Board Member and Robert’s Rules of Order, this session will provide an overview of parliamentary procedure and how it can help in maintaining order during your school board meeting.

FOCUS AREA(s): Governance & Executive Leadership

Speakers:

• Heather Curl - Director of Leadership Development, Washing State School Directors Association (WSSDA)
  
• Timi Tullis - Board Consultant
  

Ready, Set, Govern: Engaging with Families Through Advocacy | Saturday, April 11 from 12:45 – 2 p.m.
Advocacy on behalf of the students and families in our districts is one of the key roles of a school board member. To do this work in partnership with families requires relationship-building and trust. This investment of time can result in a range of actions at the local, state, or federal level to benefit students. Woven into these efforts is a responsibility to ensure that our advocacy work does not exacerbate or perpetuate inequities for some families, but rather mitigates or eliminates them. This session will provide participants with tools and information on how to effectively get input from families, engage in productive discussions, and partner with families in advocacy efforts while incorporating an equity lens as a part of this process. 

FOCUS AREA(s): Governance & Executive Leadership

Speaker:

• Mary Fertakis - Former School Board Director, Tukwila (WA)

Ready, Set, Govern: Avoiding Common Mistakes Made by New Board Members | Sunday, April 12 from 9 – 10:15 a.m.
Unintentional mistakes happen to us all, AND when we are newly elected board members, it is common. During this session, a veteran board of education member and school board association trainers will share some of the most important things to know about board governance. The presenter will discuss common mistakes that interfere with improving student achievement and student success. You will leave with practical ideas on how to actually enjoy your work on the board.

FOCUS AREA(s): Governance & Executive Leadership

Speaker:

• Nicholas D. Caruso, Jr. - Associate Executive Director for Field Services and Technology, Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE)
  
  

Ready, Set, Govern: Board Self-Evaluation | Sunday, April 12 from 10:30 – 11:45 a.m.
Just as boards evaluate the superintendent, so should they assess their own effectiveness. How well does your board work together, and how effectively do you govern your school district? Do you have a collective sense of the board’s strengths and gaps as a leadership team? Are your communication processes clear? Based on NSBA’s Becoming a Better Board Member, this session will discuss components of successful evaluations, review sample instruments, and identify ways to set board goals. 

FOCUS AREA(s): Governance & Executive Leadership

Speakers:

• Debbie Stair - Assistant Director of Leadership Development, Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB)
  
• Leslie Bogar, MEd - Deputy Executive Director, Colorado Association of School Boards (CASB)
  

Ready, Set, Govern: Importance of Policy AND Self-Care for all Board Members | Sunday, April 12 from 12:45 – 2 p.m.
Busy people are the first to say yes and add more to their plates. School board members often put everyone else before themselves, and that is when burnout can occur. As leaders, we need to keep our own gas tank filled so we can fill others up. In this session, we will think about our own well-being and receive ideas and tools for practicing self-care during late-night meetings, weekend retreats, and stressful times. The session also will focus on how board policy provides the legal framework within which the board does its work. Policy establishes a clear vision of what is to be accomplished and creates an intentional accountability system. Board policy provides the opportunity to share leadership with superintendents while communicating to staff, students, and the community the expectations of operating a complex system focused on educating children.

FOCUS AREA(s): Governance & Executive Leadership

Speaker:

• Mary Fertakis - Former School Board Director, Tukwila (WA)

Child Nutrition & SNAP

When SNAP access is reduced, districts often feel it quickly through school meals: fewer students are directly certified, more families must complete paperwork, CEP reimbursement can weaken, and schools face rising operational and administrative pressure—while simultaneously seeing greater demand for school food pantries and weekend backpack programs. This session is designed for school board members and district leaders who need to anticipate the fiscal and instructional consequences of nutrition instability. We’ll map the policy-to-practice chain, then focus on concrete district actions that boards can champion.

Speaker:

Angelica Castanon, Senior Policy Analyst/Program Specialist, NEA

Healthy Schools in Action: District Leaders and EPA Perspectives

Learn how diverse school districts are using data, policy, and cross-department collaboration to improve environmental health and sustainability in schools. This session highlights a scalable program model, district success stories, and lessons learned from urban, rural, and tribal communities. Attendees will gain practical strategies for using data to guide policy, set goals, and drive measurable improvements in school environments.

Speakers:

Jill Buck, CEO, Go Green Initiative

Joseph Haskell, Director of Maintenance, Operations and Risk Management, East St. Louis School District 189

Matthew Hiester, Environmental Protection Specialist, Schools Branch, Indoor Environments Division, U.S. EPA - 

Sandra Brundage, Grant Administrator, Salamanca City Central School District -    

Luis Guerra, Finance Director, Tornillo ISD -   

Rene Estrada, Facilities/Transportation Director, Tornillo ISD -

How and Why to Limit Student Personal Device Use in School to Bolster Student Learning and Health

As state laws restricting student personal devices in schools sweep the nation, school districts around the country are examining how and why to limit students’ personal device use. Grounded in NEA’s Sample Policy Limiting Personal Devices Use in Schools, this session will help school board members explore why and how thoughtful, locally developed policies restricting student personal device use can enhance student learning conditions and minimize bullying, distractions, and other device-related harms. Participants will review data and policy recommendations, consider key stakeholder perspectives, and engage in discussion about important exceptions to restrictions and how local context and state requirements should inform district decision-making.

Speaker:

MaryBeth Szydlowski, NEA Health & Safety Program

Endeavoring to Meet the Needs of Every Child: Building and Sustaining a Culture That Supports Social and Emotional Learning

Adopting What Works: A School Board's Guide to Vetting Math Instructional Materials

"What does it actually mean for a school board to govern math instruction, not just approve a budget line, but lead strategically? This panel discussion, grounded in new research from NSBA's Center for Public Education, brings together district leaders to share how boards can take a more active and informed role in math curriculum decisions.

Panelists will address a practical governance framework covering: school board roles in adopting high-quality instructional materials and the shift from compliance oversight to strategic instructional leadership; four priority areas for board focus including AI tools in math instruction, early math as both an achievement and equity strategy, budget alignment, and building authentic stakeholder buy-in; vetting HQIM with confidence and using independent evidence sources; and systemic coherence as the connective thread between vetting, implementation, professional learning, and evaluation.

Speakers:

Eric Hirsch, CEO, EdReports

Lora Kaiser, Executive Director, Center for Education Market Dynamics (CEMD)     

Annie Morrison, Co-Founder and Principal Consultant, Rivet Education

Are Our Students Actually Learning? How Boards Can Know—Without Guessing

Every board member has heard good news: a new program, a fresh training, a promising pilot. And every board member has felt the unease behind the applause: But is any of this showing up in what students know and can do? This panel is about replacing hope and headlines with clarity. You’ll hear how effective boards create a simple, dependable routine for checking progress on the outcomes that matter most—so you can spot real improvement, see warning signs early, and make course corrections before another school year slips by. Panelists will share the habits that make monitoring feel like an honest, focused conversation—not a “data dump,” not a debate about tactics, and not an end-of-year surprise. You’ll walk away with practical ways to structure monitoring so it becomes one of the board’s most powerful tools for improving student outcomes.

Speaker:

AJ Crabill

The Missing Layer in Student Success: Tools Built by the People Doing the Work

School districts have invested heavily in academic systems, compliance tools, and crisis-response programs, yet many educators still feel a key piece of student success infrastructure is missing. This session explores the gap between intervention-focused programs and everyday student development. Participants will examine why many student initiatives struggle with long-term adoption and how tools designed with educators, coaches, and youth mentors can better support student growth across confidence, resilience, communication, and leadership. Rather than focusing on crisis alone, this session invites school leaders to consider how practitioner-built systems can strengthen relationships and help students grow from wherever their starting point may be.

Speaker: Sean Valentine - Founder & CEO, Strong Mind Strong Performance Inc

Engage IRL: Reclaiming Student Engagement Through Policy, Practice, and Partnerships

Join us for an immersive site visit to three innovative San Antonio ISD high school campuses that are redefining secondary education through bold design, strong industry partnerships, and a clear focus on college and career readiness. This visit will focus on the CAST Network and the Alamo Collegiate Network, programs that have come out of the Texas Senate’s 1882 Bill, which allows traditional schools to partner with outside entities like universities and nonprofits. These campuses will demonstrate how public school systems can align academics, workforce preparation, and student engagement in powerful and scalable ways.

This site visit will highlight how industry certifications, early college models, fine arts integration, and strong community partnerships come together to create transformative, student-centered learning environments. Participants will leave with concrete insights and governance-level takeaways on how these strategies can be adapted and replicated in districts across the country.

·       CAST Tech High School
Through a partnership with the Centers for Applied Science and Technology (CAST Schools), discover how technology, business, and entrepreneurship intersect to prepare students for high-demand careers in emerging industries. Participants will explore interdisciplinary pathways that integrate coding, cybersecurity, digital innovation, and real-world business projects, developed in collaboration with industry partners. Learn how CAST Tech leverages applied learning, mentorship, and authentic problem-solving to connect classroom instruction with workforce needs.

·       Advanced Learning Academy (ALA)
Through a partnership with CAST, see project-based learning and personalized instruction in action at ALA, where students engage in rigorous, inquiry-driven coursework designed to foster creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. This opportunity will highlight how ALA empowers students to design and implement solutions to real-world challenges while developing transferable skills essential for postsecondary success.

·       Fox Tech High School
Through a partnership with the Alamo Collegiate Network, step inside an early college high school model with a focused pathway leading to an Associate of Science in Nursing. Learn how Fox Tech blends rigorous academics, college-level coursework, and hands-on clinical preparation to equip students for careers in nursing and the broader medical field. Board members will gain insight into how early college partnerships can accelerate postsecondary attainment while expanding access to high-wage, high-demand professions.

Join us for an in-depth site visit to Sydney Lanier High School, where innovation drives a comprehensive approach to college, career, and military readiness. Through thoughtfully designed pathways, hands-on learning experiences, and strategic partnerships with higher education, industry, and the military, Lanier demonstrates how public schools can expand postsecondary options while maintaining high expectations for all students. This visit offers school board members a firsthand look at how innovative program design translates into meaningful outcomes for students across college, career, and military pathways.

This site visit highlights how Sydney Lanier High School equips students with industry certifications, college credits, leadership skills, and real-world experience — ensuring graduates are prepared for success in college, career, or military service. Participants will leave with actionable insights into how comprehensive college, career, and military readiness strategies can be governed, supported, and scaled across diverse districts.

As part of this experience, you will see and learn about the following programs:

·       Army JROTC Cybersecurity Pilot Program
Witness a groundbreaking initiative that uniquely combines leadership development with advanced cybersecurity training. As one of only 11 pilot sites in the United States, Lanier’s Army JROTC Cybersecurity Program provides students with real-world experience in networking, cyber defense, and digital security. Participants will learn how students earn industry-recognized certifications that position them for success in military service, postsecondary education, and high-demand technology careers.

·       Construction and Automotive P-TECH Pathways
Explore state-of-the-art construction and automotive labs where students develop technical expertise aligned to workforce needs. Through P-TECH partnerships with St. Philip’s College, students earn college credit while mastering industry-relevant skills in the construction trades and automotive technology. This portion of the visit will highlight how early college and career pathways accelerate credential attainment and strengthen regional talent pipelines.

·       Work-Based Learning: Graphic Design and Print Shop
See applied learning in action as students operate a fully functional, self-funded graphic design and print shop. Serving real clients, students gain hands-on experience in design, production, customer service, and entrepreneurship while earning industry-based certifications. Board members will gain insight into how work-based learning models can be embedded into the school day to enhance engagement and sustainability.

·       Health Science Programs
Step into classrooms where future healthcare professionals prepare for careers in medical assisting, medical technology, and allied health fields. Learn how Lanier aligns instruction, certifications, and career exposure to meet growing workforce demands in the healthcare sector.

·       Law Enforcement Program
Discover how students prepare for careers in criminal justice and public safety through hands-on training, coursework, and industry-aligned certifications. This pathway demonstrates how schools can responsibly partner with public safety agencies to provide meaningful career exploration and skill development.

Join us for an exclusive site visit to San Antonio ISD’s Mark Twain Dual Language Academy, a nationally recognized model for bilingual education.

Developed through a Texas Senate 1882 grant partnership with The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), a national leader in bilingual education research, educator preparation, and instructional innovation, the Twain Dual Language Academy exemplifies how strategic higher education partnerships can elevate program quality while building sustainable, districtwide capacity.

At the Academy, students participate in a rigorous two-way dual language program in English and Spanish beginning in the earliest grades. This research-based approach intentionally develops biliteracy, biculturalism, and high academic achievement while fostering the global competencies students need to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.

During this site visit, participants will:

• Observe high-quality dual language instruction in action, as students learn grade-level academic content in both English and Spanish using proven, research-based instructional strategies.
• Explore the UTSA partnership model, including how the university supports curriculum design, instructional coaching, and ongoing professional development to ensure program fidelity and continuous improvement.
• Learn how SAISD has built a scalable and sustainable dual language framework, aligned to community needs and workforce trends, that districts can adapt and replicate.

This visit offers school board members a rare opportunity to see dual language education implemented with depth, intentionality, and measurable impact. Participants will leave with actionable governance-level insights and practical strategies to strengthen bilingual programming, expand access, and elevate outcomes for multilingual learners in their own districts.

Saturday, April 11 | 9 – 10:15 a.m.

Saturday, April 11 | Noon – 2 p.m.

Sunday, April 12 | 9 – 10:15 a.m.

Join us in celebrating the winners of the 2026 Magna Awards. This year's program focuses on improving Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in schools, recognizing districts that have taken meaningful action to create healthier learning environments for students and staff. Attendees will hear directly from the winners during an intimate fireside chat, where they'll share their experiences and insights firsthand.

Speaker:
Jill Buck
Founder and CEO
Go Green Initiative

Sunday, April 12 | Noon – 2 p.m.

Every Student Seen: Mental Health Access in Underserved Communities
Gina Stanley, Director of School and Community Advocacy at the Cook Center for Human Connection and citizen of the Cherokee Nation, shares her journey from growing up on the Cherokee Nation reservation to serving as a teacher, principal, superintendent, and national advocate. Central to her story is the power of one caring mentor who helped her see possibility in herself and how that influence shaped her leadership path. Through this keynote message, Gina challenges school board leaders to recognize the profound influence they hold in shaping opportunities for students facing significant barriers.

Grounded in national data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Gina highlights the mental health challenges disproportionately impacting underserved youth, including American Indian/Alaska Native, Black, Hispanic/Latino, and rural students. Suicide remains a leading cause of death for young people, yet many communities still face barriers to culturally responsive care, trusted support systems, and access to mental health resources.

Acknowledging the real challenges school boards face in supporting the diverse needs of their communities, Gina shares encouragement, promising practices, and examples of how mentorship, family engagement, and community partnerships can expand access to mental health support and reduce stigma. This keynote will leave school board leaders with a renewed sense of purpose and a clear call to action to ensure every student in their community is seen, supported, and connected to the caring adults and mental health resources they need to thrive.

Speaker:
Gina Stanley, M.Ed.
State Director, School and Community Advocacy
Cook Center for Human Connection

State Association Staff/Officers; NATCON& CUBE Districts; COSA Members: Complimentary

Unaffiliated School Board Member & General Public: $100

*In-person conference attendees only.

State Association Staff/Officers; NATCON & CUBE Districts, COSA Members: $250

Unaffiliated School Board Member & General Public: $250

Online access includes three live-streamed keynote sessions and on-demand access to select keynote recordings.

State Association Staff/Officers; NATCON, CUBE, & COSA Districts: $475

Unaffiliated School Board Member & General Public: $575

Cancellations & Refunds for Registration will be accepted through Thursday, February 26, 2026 with a full refund less a $175 processing fee.

Registration Cancellations received on or after Friday, February 27, 2026 will not be refunded.

No-shows will not receive a refund. All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing to NSBA: memberservices@nsba.org. Refunds will be processed within one week of request. NSBA is not responsible for airfare, hotel, or other costs incurred by participants in the event of program or registration cancellation.

If you need to make any changes to your hotel reservation, please contact the NSBA Registration & Hotel Support Center or by phone at (800) 616-8210 (U.S. & Canada) or (415) 979-2264 (International). The hotel reservation cancellation deadline is Friday, March 20, 2026. Cancellations on or after Friday, March 20, 2026 will forfeit the deposit or will be charged an amount equal to one night’s room and tax.

In registering you acknowledge and agree to the NSBA Annual Conference Terms and Conditions.

Looking to relax and have some fun after a long day of learning? San Antonio’s rich culture, historic landmarks, and vibrant River Walk will make your conference experience truly unforgettable. Click here to access special offers and discounts on popular San Antonio attractions.

You must be registered for the conference before you can reserve housing. All reservations should be made prior to March 21, 2026. Room availability and conference rates cannot be guaranteed after this date.

Click here to view hotel map.