Call for Proposals

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

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

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

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

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