Sessions

This strand highlights the importance of providing students with access to digital technology while providing guidance on how to use it responsibly, intentionally and thoughtfully. It 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, including immigration protections; empowering educators with  digital literacy, fostering digital citizenship and academic integrity, the role of technology in special education and inclusive learning, digital communications, the role of technology in school culture, Esports and extended learning, impact of smartphones on learning; strong computer science programs; new/future technology in the classroom, college and career readiness, bridging the digital divide

This strand focuses on the essential role of governing boards in fostering authentic and productive engagement with students, families, educators and other staff, 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 to ensure access for the community to play an active role in educational outcomes.

Key Focus Areas:

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

Example Workshop Topics:

Engaging student voice in decision-making, 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 collaborative equitable partnerships while navigating special interest groups  with local government, developing community advisory councils, leveraging corporate sponsorship

This strand focuses on creating supportive learning environments by addressing the physical, emotional and psychological well-being of students and staff. It emphasizes the importance of school culture, campus safety 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 all students, families and staff, enhancing learning experiences, engagement and outcomes.

Key Focus Areas:

Student and staff mental health, staff and board member wellness, substance abuse prevention (ie. vaping, drugs, medical), safety and security (ie. school resource officers or police, staff safety representatives), trauma-informed services, school-based health, LGBTQ+ support, foster youth/students experiencing homelessness supports, ethnic studies, cultural relevance, immigration and family safety, communication systems for crises, ongoing training and aftermath in the event of crisis, engaging with families

Example Workshop Topics:

Positive school climate, addressing chronic absenteeism and/or root causes, 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 and ensure that every student, regardless of background and circumstances, has access to rigorous, varied and supportive educational pathways and opportunities that prepare them for future success.

Key Focus Areas:

Funding and resource allocation, student achievement and academic outcomes, college and career readiness, career technical education (CTE), inclusive education opportunities and support, hands-on/context-based instruction

Example Workshop Topics:

Expanding college and career exposure through innovative TK–12 strategies; increasing access to dual enrollment; using data to improve math, literacy, and key outcomes; strengthening special education to support all learners; closing the digital divide through expanded broadband; aligning LCAP goals, funding, and student outcomes; implementing MTSS for targeted supports; maximizing extended learning opportunities; rethinking discipline with positive behavior approaches; expanding access to TK and preschool; enhancing career technical education pathways; strengthening bilingual education and Seal of Biliteracy pathways; supporting alternative education programs; and building workforce partnerships through pre-apprenticeships, industry instructors, community college collaboration, and emerging technology initiatives, while addressing the needs of diverse student groups.

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 prioritizing equitable educational opportunities and outcomes that meet all student needs.

Key Focus Areas:

Networking, leadership and decision-making, effective governance practices, accountability, policy and legal oversight, strategic planning, negotiations, governance team (superintendent and board members), roles and responsibilities, effective training and onboarding, relationships between district and county boards

Example Workshop Topics:

Board member roles and responsibilities; high-performing governance team; strategic planning and goal-setting; governance accountability and board leadership; navigating challenges for small and rural school districts; ethical and legal governance; superintendent contracts and evaluations; collective bargaining and negotiation; building and margining  collaborative governance teams; strengthening board-superintendent and board-staff relationships to support academic achievement; data-informed governance and decision making; fostering community engagement and support for goals; advocacy; conflict resolution; equity in governance decisions, board member handbook development and governance resources; new board member orientation and governance onboarding.

This strand emphasizes the critical role of the board of education in providing comprehensive financial oversight and collaborating with the superintendent to ensure the effective management of local educational agency resources. 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:

Advocacy and being proactive; 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, sustainable special education funding, enrollment and attendance, fiscal planning and management, sustainability and facilities, grant funding, collective bargaining, legal and crisis management