CSBA AECCSBA AEC
2025-12-03 16:00:00
  • Conference
    • Ancillary Events
    • Housing
    • Code of Conduct
    • Notices
    • Accessibility
    • AEC Planning Committee
    • Presenters
  • Registration
    • Attendee FAQ’s
  • Program
    • Meal Functions
    • CSBA’s Golden Bell Awards Ceremony and Reception
    • Pre-conference Activities
    • Executive Assistant One-Day Program
    • Student Board Member One-Day Program
      • Student Supervision Policy & FAQ’s
  • Student Entertainment
  • Exhibitors
    • Exhibitor FAQs
  • Conference
    • Ancillary Events
    • Housing
    • Code of Conduct
    • Notices
    • Accessibility
    • AEC Planning Committee
    • Presenters
  • Registration
    • Attendee FAQ’s
  • Program
    • Meal Functions
    • CSBA’s Golden Bell Awards Ceremony and Reception
    • Pre-conference Activities
    • Executive Assistant One-Day Program
    • Student Board Member One-Day Program
      • Student Supervision Policy & FAQ’s
  • Student Entertainment
  • Exhibitors
    • Exhibitor FAQs

Join us in Sacramento Wednesday, Dec. 3 - Friday, Dec. 5
AEC is CSBA’s premier continuing education program. Whether you are a veteran board member, a superintendent, a board support professional or a first-time attendee, you’ll come away from conference with practical ideas and a renewed commitment to help your board accomplish the critical work ahead.

Why attend

Your students are counting on you. Find insights and solutions that will help you raise student achievement with more than 100 focused sessions.

Partner with education experts. Meet our business partners and discover new products and services to help you effectively lead your schools.

Get the latest education trends and issues. Receive guidance on the issues your local education agency is facing.

You can’t afford not to attend. Partner directly with leaders in the education arena and collaborate with your peers in this one of a kind event.

What to expect

Breakout sessionsSessions hosted by your colleagues
Trade Show FloorInteract with vendors and learn more about CSBA
Pre-conference ActivitiesSpecialized content to prepare you for your roles
NetworkingEngage with fellow education experts

Location

SAFE Credit Union Convention CenterFor those who choose to attend, all of our main events, including General Sessions, workshops and pre-conference activities, will take place in the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center located in Sacramento.
Sacramento Convention Center, SAFE Credit Union

Check out the 2024 conference:

2024 Speakers

Laurie-Santos-800pxsq

Dr. Laurie Santos

First General Session
Laurie Santos: Former Head, Silliman College; Chandrika and Ranjan Tandon Prof. of Psychology, Yale University; Host, The Happiness Lab Podcast
Dr. Laurie Santos is a psychologist and an expert on human cognition, its origins and the evolutionary biases that influence our all-too imperfect life choices. Her work centers around how behavioral change through positive psychology can lead to a happier and more fulfilling life. She is the Chandrika and Ranjan Tandon Professor of Psychology and the former Head of Silliman College at Yale University. Her course, Psychology and the Good Life, teaches what the science of psychology says about how to make wiser choices for a better life. The class is Yale’s most popular course in more than 300 years and has been adapted into a free Coursera program that has been taken by over 4 million people to date.
 
Santos is the host of the podcast “The Happiness Lab.” She makes the case that humans are drastically wrong about what makes us happy and often do the exact opposite of what will make our lives better. Based on her course at Yale, she presents the latest scientific research in an effort to help listeners rethink happiness and guide them toward their best lives. Launched in 2019, the podcast has been downloaded morer than 100 million times.
 
Santos has been featured in numerous news outlets including the New York Times, NBC Nightly News, The Today Show, CBS This Morning, NPR, GQ Magazine, Slate, CNN and Oprah Magazine. She has received numerous awards both for science and teaching from institutions such as Yale and the American Psychological Association. She has been featured as one of Popular Science’s “Brilliant 10” and was named TIME’s “Leading Campus Celebrity.”
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Cori Lathan Portrait

Dr. Cori Lathan

Second General Session
Dr. Cori Lathan: Neuroscientist and Founder, Anthrotronix
Dr. Cori Lathan is a technology entrepreneur who has developed robots for kids with disabilities, virtual reality technology for the space station, and wearable sensors for training surgeons and soldiers. She is a global thought-leader in the relationship between technology and human performance and believes in a future of benevolent cyborgs. Lathan is the author of a bestselling book, Inventing the Future: Stories from a Techno-Optimist.
 
Founder and former CEO of AnthroTronix (est. 1999), Lathan has led projects from agencies such as DARPA, NASA, NIH, and NSF and developed one of the first FDA-cleared digital health platforms winning a prestigious Gold Edison Award. She is also on the boards of public companies PTC and EksoBionics, chairing their Cybersecurity and Audit committees, respectively.
 
Lathan is a social advocate and actively involved in STEM educational outreach programs that empower women and minorities in science and technology. She is on the boards of the KID Museum Makerspace and Engineering World Health, which provides opportunities to college students to support the emergence of healthcare technology in the developing world.
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Sam-Stanton-800pxsq

Sam Stanton

Third General Session
Sam Stanton: Founder, redbutton.ai
Sam Stanton is a visionary leader and innovator committed to keeping major brands at the forefront of their industries. As the founder of redbutton.ai, SKUNKworks.ai, boggler.ai, and THINKERS Society, Sam brings over 35 years of experience in helping brands elevate their customer experiences and engagement while empowering professionals. Known for his expertise in creative thinking, technology and innovation, Sam consistently remains at the bleeding edge, leading advancements in tech, science and transformative experiences.
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Robbie Sawyer

Robbie Sawyer

Third General Session
Robbie Sawyer: Chief of Staff & Partnerships, redbutton.ai
Robbie Sawyer is the juggling Chief of Staff & Partnerships at redbutton.ai, SKUNKworks.ai and boggler.ai. With 30 years in the hospitality industry, he’s driven by a passion for blending tech, sales and marketing innovations. Robbie is a master at forging strategic relationships and uncovering new tools that streamline and invigorate every level of professional life. Join him to explore innovative ways to propel your business into the future. His insights ignite the kind of creative thinking that leads to real and transformative change.
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Conference Strands

Empowering Students in a Digital World

This strand highlights the importance of providing students with access to digital technology while providing guidance on how to use it responsibly and thoughtfully. Technology is integral to modern learning and this strand explores the opportunities technology offers for personalized learning, collaboration and innovation, while also addressing challenges such as the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, privacy, online bullying and legal considerations. Board members will gain insights into fostering responsible digital citizenship, understanding security risks and staying informed on emerging trends in TK-12 education.

Key Focus Areas:

Equitable access to digital technology; digital literacy and responsible use; cybersecurity and data privacy; personalized learning and collaboration; emerging technologies and trends in education

Example Workshop Topics:

Ensuring equitable access to technology; navigating the ethical use of AI in the classroom; safeguarding student data; empowering educators with adult digital literacy making technology work for all learners; fostering digital citizenship and academic integrity; the ole of technology in special education and inclusive learning; digital communications, and the role of technology in school culture; Esports and extended learning; the impact of smartphones on learning; building stronger computer science programs; new technology in the classroom

Fostering Strong Community Partnerships

This strand focuses on the essential role of school board members in fostering authentic and productive engagement with students, families and community partners. This engagement is key to building collaborative relationships that support student achievement, enhance school culture and create long-term positive impacts for students and their families. The strand emphasizes effective collaboration with stakeholders to ensure that the community plays an active role in educational outcomes.

Key Focus Areas:

Building and sustaining community relationships, inclusive engagement with families, cross-sector collaboration, advocacy for education funding and policy, leveraging media and communication, climate action and sustainability; long-term partnership development

Example Workshop Topics:

Engaging student voice in LCAP; building positive school culture; effective family engagement; local and grassroots advocacy; collaborating with nonprofits and corporations; marketing and promoting schools; legislative and political advocacy; climate resiliency and sustainability; school-based programs and parent training; strengthening school-community networks; building equitable partnerships with local government; developing community advisory councils; leveraging corporate Sponsorship

Holistic Health, Safety and Wellness

This strand focuses on creating supportive learning environments by addressing the physical, emotional and mental well-being of students and staff. It emphasizes the importance of school culture, campus security and wellness programs in ensuring the health and safety of all school community members. By fostering a safe, nurturing and respectful environment, schools can better support the whole student and staff, enhancing the learning experience and outcomes.

Key Focus Areas:

Student mental health, staff wellness, substance abuse prevention, safety and security, trauma-informed services, school-based health, LGBTQ support, implementing ethnic studies, cultural relevance, immigration and family safety

Example Workshop Topics:

Positive school climate; addressing chronic absenteeism; the role of school leaders in trauma-informed education; social-emotional learning; restorative practices; supporting students and staff in crisis; successful community school development; enhancing family and community partnerships

Pathways to College, Career and Beyond

This strand demonstrates how decision-making at the board level can create dynamic learning environments that support all students. Through a focus on funding, student achievement and college/career readiness, this strand explores policies and programs that ensure every student — regardless of background or circumstances — has access to a rigorous and supportive education.

Key Focus Areas:

Funding and resource allocation, student achievement and academic outcomes, college and career readiness, inclusive education and support

Example Workshop Topics:

Expanding college and career exposure through innovative TK-12 strategies; increasing access to dual and concurrent enrollment programs; using data to measure progress in math, literacy and other key areas; strengthening special education programs to ensure all students thrive; closing the digital divide by expanding broadband access; aligning Local Control and Accountability Plan goals, funding, and student outcomes; implementing Mutli-Tierd System of Supports for effective student interventions; maximizing extended learning and after-school opportunities; rethinking school discipline with positive behavior interventions; expanding access to quality transitional kindergarten and preschool programs; enhancing career technical education pathways to prepare students for the workforce; implementing ethnic studies with district best practices; strengthening bilingual education and pathways to the Seal of Biliteracy; and transforming successful alternative education programs (community day school, continuation schools, county programs, court schools etc.); military/ROTC programs

Strategic Governance for Student Success

This strand is designed to support school district and county board of education members in developing the leadership skills, qualities and techniques needed to foster a productive governance team. It emphasizes the board’s critical role in making informed decisions that align with the goal of student success while advocating for all students’ needs and ensuring equitable educational opportunities.

Key Focus Areas:

Leadership and decision-making, effective governance practices, accountability, policy and legal oversight, strategic planning, negotiations

Example Workshop Topics:

Board member roles and responsibilities; high-performing governance team; strategic planning and goal-setting; accountability for governance and leadership; navigating challenges for small and rural school districts; ethical and legal governance; superintendent contracts and evaluations; negotiations; building collaborative governance teams; enhancing board-staff relationships for student success; data-driven decision-making; fostering community engagement and support for district goals; leveraging advocacy to secure resources for student success; conflict resolution ; the role of equity in governance decisions

Strategies for Financial Resilience

This strand emphasizes the critical role of the board of trustees in providing comprehensive financial oversight and collaborating with the superintendent to ensure the effective management of district resources. Together, the governance team works to prioritize resources around district goals in the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP), ensuring that all students, regardless of background, benefit from a rigorous, equitable education that prepares them for future success.

Key Focus Areas:

Declining enrollment, funding shortfalls; labor negotiations and collective bargaining, financial crises and deficit spending, natural disasters and facility needs, state and federal budget pressures, special education funding, budget transparency and communication

Example Workshop Topics:

Aligning budget priorities with LCAP goals; strategic budgeting in times of uncertainty; innovative revenue strategies; managing declining enrollment; understanding and addressing budget cuts; deficit spending; long-term financial planning; budget transparency and community trust; disaster preparedness and facility resilience: planning for the unexpected; sustainable special education funding; enrollment and attendance; fiscal planning and management; sustainability and facilities; special education and grant funding; collective bargaining; legal and crisis management

Contact
  • California School Boards Association
    Association Education Department

    3251 Beacon Boulevard, West Sacramento, CA 95691
    (800) 266-3382  |  FAX: (916) 371-3407
Future Dates
  • 2026 AEC: Dec. 3-5 | San Diego, CA
  • 2027 AEC: Dec. 1-3 | Sacramento, CA
  • 2028 AEC: Nov. 30–Dec. 2 | Anaheim, CA
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