Pre-Conference Activities
Date and time
Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025 | 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Location
SAFE Credit Union Convention Center | Sacramento, CA
Overview
The Legal Symposium for Experienced Board Members is a full-day pre-conference activity held in conjunction with CSBA’s Annual Education Conference and Trade Show. California licensed attorneys will offer the legal perspective on timely and complex issues boards often face. Attendees will learn how to justly handle a variety of common legal situations they may encounter as board members.
Program
The Legal Symposium is a quality investment in your professional development. During this pre-conference session, CSBA, in conjunction with California Council of School Attorneys (CCSA),* will offer a range of sessions on the timely and complex issues boards often face as well as sessions on current topics. Up to 5.75 hours of Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) credit is available for California attorneys. View symposium agenda.
Who should attend?
This seminar is designed for veteran board members who have a solid understanding of their board role.
Registration
The registration fee is $500, including lunch. Registrations received after Monday, Nov. 10, will be charged the late registration fee of $600. There is limited space for this dynamic program. There is no onsite registration for pre-conference activities.
Waitlist and cancellation policy
In the event that the pre-conference activity reaches full capacity and is sold out, a waitlist will be initiated. Should a vacancy arise, the next individual on the waitlist will receive an invitation to purchase a ticket. To join the waitlist, proceed with the registration process and opt for the waitlist selection. For further assistance, please reach out to register@csba.org. Joining the waitlist does not guarantee ticket availability. CSBA will inform registrants promptly if a ticket becomes accessible. If the waitlist is initiated, it will close on Monday, Nov. 24. Should no tickets become available, registrants will receive notification that additional tickets will not be released. Review the comprehensive cancellation policy here.
*California Council of School Attorneys (CCSA) is a State Bar of California MCLE Provider.
Date and time
Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025 | 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Location
SAFE Credit Union Convention Center | Sacramento, CA
Overview
This program is a full-day pre-conference activity held in conjunction with CSBA’s Annual Education Conference (AEC) and Trade Show. Created specifically for board presidents and those preparing to serve, the CSBA Board Presidents Workshop provides the strategies and tools to prepare board leaders to be more effective in their roles.
Program
Board presidents will learn about key topics including:
- The role of the board president
- Exploring your vision for your board
- Strategies to forge an effective team
- Providing focused leadership
- Evaluating the superintendent
Who should attend?
Current and aspiring board presidents seeking to enhance their skills in leading their boards more effectively are encouraged to attend.
Registration
The registration fee is $500, including lunch. Registrations received after Monday, Nov. 10, will be charged the late registration fee of $600. There is limited space for this dynamic program, so sign up early! There is no onsite registration for pre-conference activities.
Waitlist and cancellation policy
In the event that the pre-conference activity reaches full capacity and is sold out, a waitlist will be initiated. Should a vacancy arise, the next individual on the waitlist will receive an invitation to purchase a ticket. To join the waitlist, proceed with the registration process and opt for the waitlist selection. For further assistance, please reach out to register@csba.org. Joining the waitlist does not guarantee ticket availability. CSBA will inform registrants promptly if a ticket becomes accessible. If the waitlist is initiated, it will close on Monday, Nov. 24. Should no tickets become available, registrants will receive notification that additional tickets will not be released. Review the comprehensive cancellation policy here.
Date and time
Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025 | 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Location
SAFE Credit Union Convention Center | Sacramento, CA
Overview
This program is a full-day pre-conference activity held in conjunction with CSBA’s Annual Education Conference (AEC) and Trade Show. Facilitated by CSBA’s Masters in Governance® (MIG) faculty, this program is tailored to meet the needs of new board members and prepare them for their first year of service.
Program
Participants will connect with other newly elected board members and learn about key topics including:
- Roles and responsibilities
- Effective governance system: 7 critical components
- Using an orientation meeting to get everyone on board
- Adopting the first interim report and reviewing the first budget
- A legal primer and the Brown Act basics
- A sample school district governance calendar
- How CSBA supports new trustees in fulfilling their governance role
Who should attend?
Newly elected or first-term board members will benefit most from this program. Superintendents are encouraged to attend with their board members and are required to register as participants.
Registration
The registration fee is $500, including lunch. Registrations received after Monday, Nov. 10, will be charged the late registration fee of $600. There is limited space for this dynamic program, so sign up early! There is no onsite registration for pre-conference activities.
Waitlist and cancellation policy
In the event that the pre-conference activity reaches full capacity and is sold out, a waitlist will be initiated. Should a vacancy arise, the next individual on the waitlist will receive an invitation to purchase a ticket. To join the waitlist, proceed with the registration process and opt for the waitlist selection. For further assistance, please reach out to register@csba.org. Joining the waitlist does not guarantee ticket availability. CSBA will inform registrants promptly if a ticket becomes accessible. If the waitlist is initiated, it will close on Monday, Nov. 24. Should no tickets become available, registrants will receive notification that additional tickets will not be released. Review the comprehensive cancellation policy here.
Assembly Bill 2158 mandated school board ethics training every two years — CSBA can help you ensure you are compliant!
Date and time
Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025
Morning session: 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Afternoon session: 1:30-4 p.m.
Location
SAFE Credit Union Convention Center | Sacramento, CA
Overview
Assembly Bill 2158, signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom in September 2022, mandates school district governing boards, county boards of education and charter school governing bodies complete ethics training every two years during their term of service. Previously exempt, the law applies to those elected in the November 2022 election and serving as of January 1, 2025.
Program
Attendees will gain insights into the ethical responsibilities required by California law, such as financial conflicts of interest, gift regulations and Form 700 reporting. Led by licensed California attorneys, this training equips board members to manage conflicts of interest and navigate ethical dilemmas effectively, fulfilling AB 2158’s requirements. Participants who successfully complete the course will be awarded a certificate of completion.
Who should attend?
Members of school district governing boards, county boards of education and charter school governing bodies are encouraged to participate in the training, regardless of whether they receive compensation, salary, stipend or reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of official duties (Gov. Code § 53234).
Registration
The registration fee is $125. There is limited space for this dynamic training, so sign up early! There is no onsite registration for pre-conference activities.
Waitlist and cancellation policy
In the event that the pre-conference activity reaches full capacity and is sold out, a waitlist will be initiated. Should a vacancy arise, the next individual on the waitlist will receive an invitation to purchase a ticket. To join the waitlist, kindly proceed with the registration process and opt for the waitlist selection. For further assistance, please reach out to register@csba.org. Joining the waitlist does not guarantee ticket availability. CSBA will inform registrants promptly if a ticket becomes accessible. If the waitlist is initiated, it will close on Monday, Nov. 24. Should no tickets become available, registrants will receive notification that additional tickets will not be released. Review the comprehensive cancellation policy here.
Date and time
Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025 | 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Location
SAFE Credit Union Convention Center | Sacramento, CA
Overview
This newly designed workshop for experienced school board members engages participants in an interactive experience designed to advance their leadership skills to more effectively support their governance teams. Moving beyond foundational governance concepts, this workshop focuses on knowledge, skills and strategies that will contribute to a culture of continuous improvement and high-trust relationships.
Program
Key topics including:
- Developing clarity about the personal principles, values, and experience that drive leadership practice.
- Learning the connection between Emotional Intelligence and communication strategies that create greater clarity, manage conflict effectively and build high trust relationships.
- Exploring to leadership and decision-making to enhance governance conversations.
Who should attend?
This course is designed specifically for board members and their superintendents who have completed more than two years of service in their local education agencies. Trustees should have completed the New Board Member Bundle: Orientation for new trustees, Ethics, Fiscal Responsibility, and The Brown Act. Completion of the Masters in Governance program is recommended, but it is not required.
Registration
The registration fee is $500, including lunch. Registrations received after Monday, Nov. 10, will be charged the late registration fee of $600. There is limited space for this dynamic program, so sign up early! There is no onsite registration for pre-conference activities.
Waitlist and cancellation policy
In the event that the pre-conference activity reaches full capacity and is sold out, a waitlist will be initiated. Should a vacancy arise, the next individual on the waitlist will receive an invitation to purchase a ticket. To join the waitlist, proceed with the registration process and opt for the waitlist selection. For further assistance, please reach out to register@csba.org. Joining the waitlist does not guarantee ticket availability. CSBA will inform registrants promptly if a ticket becomes accessible. If the waitlist is initiated, it will close on Monday, Nov. 24. Should no tickets become available, registrants will receive notification that additional tickets will not be released. Review the comprehensive cancellation policy here.