Pre-Conference Activities

Board Presidents Workshop: Tools for Strategic Leadership

 Invaluable training for current and aspiring board presidents

San Diego Convention Center, San Diego

Wednesday, December 4 
Program: 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Register through November 8 | $215
November 9 through on-site registration | $225

Registration at the San Diego Convention Center opens at 7 a.m.
(fee includes materials, lunch and refreshments)

The Board Presidents Workshop provides current and aspiring board presidents with the tools for strategic leadership. Attendees will learn how to forge effective governance teams, conduct meaningful meetings and fulfill governance responsibilities in a way that focuses all district and county office efforts on student learning and achievement. 

You will leave with strategies to increase your effectiveness and materials to support you as you take on this significant and complex role. This session explores: 

·         Running Effective Meetings: A Blueprint for Success

·         Using a Board Leadership Plan to Foster an Exceptional Governance Team

·         Working With New Board Members: Tips and Checklists

·         Managing Conflict: Developing Norms for Communication

·         Leading the Meeting: Guiding Protocols

·         Accomplishing Your Governance Goals Through Board Self Evaluation

·         Knowing What and When to Expect it: Utilizing the School District Governance Calendar

·         Evaluating the Superintendent: Using this Important Leadership Tool to Focus and Align all the District’s Efforts

·         Developing a Successful Advocacy Strategy That Promotes Strong Community Relationships

Presenters:
Leslie DeMersseman and Luan Burman Rivera, Governance Consultants, California School Boards Association

 

 

Legal Symposium for Experienced Board Members

 

San Diego Convention Center, San Diego
Wednesday, December 4 
Program: 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Register through November 8 | $215
November 9 through on-site registration | $225

Registration at the San Diego Convention Center opens at 7 a.m.
(fee includes materials, lunch and refreshments)

The pre-conference Legal Symposium is truly a worthwhile investment in your professional development. During this pre-conference session, experts in education law will offer their legal perspective on the timely and complex issues boards often face.

9 – 10:30 a.m.
County Committees and District Reorganization: Curious but Hesitant to Inquire?
The County Committee is a somewhat obscure but vital entity that exists in each county. County Committees are most visible in the year after a national census, when they adjust the boundaries for some K-12 and college districts. They also have a role in consolidation of school districts. Given the ongoing decline of district resources and the questions being asked by County Grand Juries and the public regarding school district structure and organization, many districts are being asked to look at the possibility of joining forces with their neighboring districts. This presentation will review the process for district reorganization.

Presenters: Margaret M. Merchat and Frank Zotter, Jr., School and College Legal Service of California

10:40 a.m. – Noon
Board/Superintendent Relations: The Contract, the Relationship, the Evaluation
In order to positively impact the education of students, the board must be able to select a superintendent who fits the culture and mission of the district; craft an employment contract that is both competitive and protects the interests of the district; build an effective working relationship with the superintendent to ensure the business of the district is efficiently attended to; and have in place an effective framework for assessing the superintendent’s competence.

Presenters: Peter Fagen, Partner, Fagen Friedman & Fulfrost; Barbara Ginsberg, Attorney, Atkinson Andelson Loya Ruud & Romo; Michael Smith, Shareholder, Lozano Smith

Noon - 1:15 p.m.: Lunch

1:15 – 2:15 p.m.
Layoffs: What Board Members Need to Know to Make the Tough Decisions
The ultimate decision whether to administer a layoff rests with the board of education. This workshop will examine the challenging legal and governance issues that face boards when considering layoffs, and explore the new cutting edge developments in layoff law that may provide opportunities for boards to promote their educational policies in the way layoffs are administered. Specifically, the workshop will consider how much information is enough - what do boards need to know from staff when considering a layoff, and how should they get it? What should board members do when contacted directly by the unions? Are there steps boards can take to insulate particular schools, teachers, curricula or programs from layoff through tie breakers, skips, board policies, district organization, special school designations or other mechanisms?

Presenters: Mary Dowell, Partner, and Laura Schulkind, Partner, Liebert Cassidy Whitmore

2:15 – 3:15 p.m.
The CVRA in 2012-2013
Under the California Voting Rights Act, public boards face lawsuits from claims that districts' current at-large voting system circumvent appropriate board representation by members of a protected class/minorities. This session will offer tips for assessing potential violation of the California Voters Reform Act and provide case analysis that will be used to examine changing district voting systems from an at-large area to avoid costly litigation.

Presenter: Peter Fagen, Partner, Fagen Friedman & Fulfrost LLP

3:25 – 4:25 p.m.
Facilities: Promoting Inclusion and Protecting Privacy
Gender identity presents school districts with myriad topics and opportunities to stress messages of tolerance and inclusion. What are your policy obligations regarding facilities, (e.g. locker and restrooms), curricula, and community outreach? How do you fulfill these responsibilities and maintain rights to privacy? Learn from this experienced team strategies and steps for educating your staff, students and parent population regarding gender identity issues.

Presenter: Diane Marshall-Freeman, Partner, Fagen Friedman & Fulfrost LLP

Orientation for New Trustees: Preparation for the First 100 Days

 

San Diego Convention Center, San Diego
Wednesday, December 4
Program: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Register through November 8 | $215
November 9 through on-site registration | $225

Registration opens at 7 a.m.
(fee includes materials, lunch and refreshments)

The election is over and it’s official—you’re now on the board. What's next? CSBA’s one-day orientation for new trustees will get you through your first 100 days of service with ease. Start building your network today by meeting with other newly-elected board members and share common goals, experiences and concerns.

It is crucial for the board and superintendent to work closely to provide governance leadership in support of enhanced student learning and achievement. Board presidents and superintendents: Register your new board members for this vital workshop. We strongly encourage your attendance as well.

Attend and learn about your critical role and key responsibilities. Leave this session equipped with strategies, tips and tools to survive. You’ll explore:

• Getting on the Same Page: Using an Orientation Meeting to Get Everyone on Board
• Setting Direction for the District: Using Your Policies to Stay on Course
• Keeping the Meeting From Getting Bogged Down: Communication Style Can Help
• Getting Through the First 100 Days: Adopting Your First Interim Report
• Looking at Your First Budget: Checklist for Reviewing the Budget
• Knowing What and When to Expect it: a Sample School District Governance Calendar
• Keeping it Legal: a Legal Primer and The Brown Act Basics

Presenters:
Bob Caine, Governance Consultant, California School Boards Association; Ron Bennett, President and CEO, School Services of California, Inc.; Melanie Petersen, Shareholder, Fagen Friedman & Fulfrost, LLP