CSBA’s ‘wonderful’ Annual Conference informs and inspires
School board leaders gathered in ‘the city by the bay’ Nov. 29-Dec. 1
Published: December 5, 2012
With its focus on a wide range of critical challenges facing California’s public schools and dramatic examples of successful programs that are overcoming great odds, CSBA’s 2012 Annual Education Conference and Trade Show was designed to instruct, inform and inspire. Some 2,000 school board members, administrators, and other members of school governance teams met in San Francisco’s state-of-the-art, environmentally friendly Moscone West conference center to participate in informative clinics, workshops and table talks last week.
“It was a wonderful conference,” CSBA Executive Director Vernon Billy said in a YouTube message to members. “I want to take this opportunity to thank all of our members for all of your support throughout the year. Going into 2013 we are going to be here for you, and we hope you will be there for us as well.”
The attendance numbers made it clear that despite difficult economic times, members of governance teams understand the value of CSBA’s three-day conference. Trade show exhibitors were also enthusiastic; the show floor—with space for 200 exhibitors altogether—sold out.
Conference attendees were provided with valuable opportunities to network, get the latest on innovative programs and educational services and hone the governance skills they need to do their difficult and important jobs. The conference curriculum was built around several critical education issues, as usual; among them this year was a strand on full-service community schools—a passion of 2012 CSBA President Jill Wynns, who believes that students are best served when schools collaborate with outside agencies and community groups to provide health, counseling, social services and other support to help disadvantaged, poor and struggling students thrive.
“I think we advanced this discussion in the state,” Wynns said afterward. “A strand this deep and rich … could have been a conference [in itself]—and maybe it should be.”
Responding to recent reports about the disproportionate number of black students who are suspended and expelled, conference planners also added workshops on constructive approaches to school discipline.
Special training for newcomers, veterans, executive assistants
A majority of the 408 candidates who were newly elected to school boards in the November elections came to San Francisco a day early to participate in CSBA’s Orientation for New Trustees, which helps them move effectively through their first 100 days in office.
Andrew Blumenfeld, a board member in the La Cañada Unified School District, said he was surprised how useful the orientation was—even for him, with a year of service under his belt and a working knowledge of school finance and the Brown Act.
“These topics really are so complex that I think it’s easy to start to gloss over certain parts that still seem rather mysterious or to lose sight of the bigger picture beyond the budget runs you get from your own staff,” he said. “This training was a welcome opportunity to put all the minutiae back into context, and to fill in gaps in my knowledge with facts.”
CSBA also offered pre-conference trainings for board presidents and a legal symposium for veteran members of governance teams. More than 100 administrative support staff who play critical administrative support roles in districts and county offices of education participated in CSBA’s one-day training for executive assistants.
Conference goes digital
This year’s conference featured a number of new offerings and services, including a social networking community, Engage CSBA. This online community gave members the opportunity to build personal profiles, access the full conference program on their laptops, tablets or smart phones, build a personalized conference schedule, and more. Many conference-goers contributed to what became a lively and informative Twitter feed at twitter.com/csbaaec (search for ‘csbaaec’ to get all the posts), with participants tweeting helpful information, insights and commentary about their favorite speakers, sessions and workshops.
“Another great conference,” tweeted Alex Zucco, a school board member in the Monrovia Unified School District. “Lots of great information.”
Riveting General Sessions
The three conference General Sessions featured a mix of discourses on important issues. The opening session featured Shawn Achor, a captivating speaker and expert on the neuroscience of happiness, who has made a career of finding ways to find contentment in a stressful world.
“That first General Session was probably the best one ever!” tweeted former CSBA President Frank Pugh. His peers agreed; dozens stood patiently in line as Achor signed copies of his book, “The Happiness Advantage”—which sold out at the CSBA Store.
The week’s wild and windy weather stranded AEC’s second General Session speaker, Susan Cain, in Santa Barbara. Undeterred, she delivered her talk via Skype, the online video network. Cain effectively delivered her message about how classroom practices and learning strategies can help educators tap into the strengths and talents of introverted students.
The final General Session was the always-popular State of the State, a lively panel discussion by state education policy experts on the latest political developments in Sacramento moderated by CSBA Executive Director Vernon M. Billy. Assistant Executive Director of Governmental Relations Dennis Myers joined Ron Bennett, president and CEO of School Services of California and Kevin Gordon, president of Capitol Advisor Group, in giving an inside view of the sometimes confusing and mysterious world of Sacramento politics and policy. Among the hottest topics: the passage of Proposition 30, the CSBA-endorsed measure sponsored by Gov. Jerry Brown that temporarily raises income taxes on the state’s most wealthy taxpayers. Although far from perfect, Proposition 30 halted $6 billion in midyear cuts to state funding for schools, and CSBA played a key role in advocating for voter approval.
The State of the State and introvert expert Cain’s session are archived on CSBA’s website and can be viewed through Jan. 30. An archived talk by Achor about the neuroscience of happiness is also available on his website. Many workshop leaders have posted their handouts and PowerPoint presentations on the CSBA conference website, and more will be added as they are received.
Celebrating Golden Bell winners
This year, 58 outstanding programs that addressed a huge range of student and community needs won coveted Golden Bell awards—and all 58 winners were on hand on the final day of the conference to accept their Golden Bells at a special luncheon.
“For 33 years these awards have represented and incentivized the best educational programs in the state and the promise of good governance,” Angelo Williams, Ed.D., CSBA assistant director for Policy and Programs, said. “When it all clicks—effective governance, a focus on student achievement and the hard work of teachers, program directors and students—the rewards are bountiful. This year the bounty was overflowing!”
CSBA conference planning staff urge attendees to take a moment to fill out a brief survey about their conference experience. These evaluations will help ensure that future conferences meet the diverse needs of the association’s membership.