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2015 Winter Symposium
Whether you’re looking for information to help you become more effective in your role or for those last few training credits before year’s end, KSBA’s Winter Symposium has something for every board member regardless of how long they’ve served. Don’t miss your opportunity to learn and network with colleagues from across the state!
Friday, December 4th, Welcome Session
8:30AM - 9:00AMWelcome Session (Commonwealth Ballroom, 1st floor)

Gather with your friends and colleagues as we kick off this year’s event! No matter how long you’ve been a school board member there is always something to discover. Join us and learn (or be reminded of) important information that will help you get the most out of your conference experience.

Friday, December 4th, Session A Workshops (1.25 hrs. training credit)
9:15AM - 10:30AMA1 The Board’s Role in District Personnel (Bluegrass AB, 2nd floor)
(A/S Level II Required Topic “Employee Relations/School Personnel”)

Do you understand the board’s policy-making role in regard to district personnel positions? The superintendent is in charge of most individual personnel decisions, but must work within the parameters of local school board policy in areas such as giving raises and staff benefits. School boards can also add or abolish positions and many more actions related to personnel. Learn the legal do’s and don’ts for board members when it comes to school district employees.
9:15AM - 10:30AMA2 Sharing the News: Building Effective Media Relationships (Bluegrass D, 2nd floor)
(A/S Level I required topic “Staff/Media/Community Relations”)

Not all school districts have the luxury of having a public relations professional on staff to write press releases and talk with the news media. Board members, however, can help fill that void by playing a role in effective media relations. This workshop covers topics designed to help build collaborative relationships with the news media and the public.
9:15AM - 10:30AMA3 School Board Fiscal Responsibilities: Driving Success Through Informed Decisions – Part I (Bluegrass C, 2nd floor)
(A/S Level I required course; Counts toward mandated finance training requirement)

This is the first of a two-part session that examines the “big picture” of school finance. Topics include the board’s basic responsibility in financial matters, a review of basic terminology, fund accounting, components of the general fund, an overview of the SEEK (Support Education Excellence in Kentucky) formula and an explanation of the budget process.

Friday, December 4th, Session B Workshops (1.25 hrs. training credit)
10:45AM - 12:00PMB1 Novice Reduction: A Moral Imperative (Bluegrass D, 2nd floor)
(A/S Level I required topic “The Board’s Role in Student Achievement”)

Learn how KDE is helping schools and districts implement strategies to address novice students. This session will explain which support strategies have been identified to close the achievement gap and help move students out of the novice category. The presenter will share resources to help schools and districts to address novice reduction, which is a moral and imperative issue for our Commonwealth and a major civil rights issue for our communities.
10:45AM - 12:00PMB2 Social Media, School Leaders and Ethics (Bluegrass AB, 2nd floor)
(A/S Level I required topic “Ethics”; Counts towards mandated ethics training requirement)

School and district leaders have a greater ability to connect with students, parents, staff and other stakeholders, thanks to the growing use of social media such as Facebook and Twitter. But social media outlets carry their own sets of challenges, especially on the ethical management of district and personal use. This course introduces participants to the basics of social media, ethical problems and opportunities for leaders and their districts.
10:45AM - 12:00PMB3 School Board Fiscal Responsibilities: Driving Success Through Informed Decisions – Part II (Bluegrass C, 2nd floor)
(A/S Level I required course; Counts toward mandated finance training requirement)

This is the second of a two-part session that examines the “big picture” of school finance. Topics include school-based decision making council allocations, audits and the audit process, and an overview of key financial reports.

Friday, December 4th, Lunch Session (1 hr. training credit)
12:30PM - 2:00PM
- Fee: $15.00
They Drive Me Crazy! Bridging Today’s Unique Generational Divide (Commonwealth Ballroom, 1st floor)

The education world is changing and this includes who’s serving on school boards. As the age range among members widens, so do the challenges of working together. This engaging program is the generational session you've never heard. Millennial Cara Silletto explains what makes her generation (those 15-35) so different from every other generation that entered the workforce – and why anyone should care. Come learn why it's worth the effort to understand this group's unique expectations.
Extra Adult ticket fee: $15.00
Extra Child ticket fee: $15.00

Friday, December 4th, Trade Show Visitation and Networking
2:00PM - 2:45PMTrade Show Visitation and Networking (Bluegrass Foyer, 2nd floor)

A special opportunity for you to visit with the exhibitors and school board members from across the state.

Friday, December 4th, Session C Workshops (1.25 hrs. training credit)
3:00PM - 4:15PMC1 Forewarned is Forearmed (Bluegrass AB, 2nd floor)
(A/S Level II Required Topic “School Facilities”)

Seven years after Kentucky’s first school energy mandate (KRS 160.325), trends have emerged foretelling the future of school energy consumption decisions and mounting costs. These budget-straining trends, coupled with the state, national and international policies, mean significant change in the energy landscape for Kentucky’s schools. Board members attending this session will get a preview of future challenges and opportunities.
3:00PM - 4:15PMC2 The Role of the Board Chair (Bluegrass C, 2nd floor)
(A/S Level I Required Topic “School Board Meetings”)

Learn about the vital role of the school board chairperson in setting the tone for the district thorough effective meetings as well as how the chairperson can help build a culture of trust in the district and in the community.
3:00PM - 4:15PMC3 WATCH D.O.G.S. - Dads of Great Students (Bluegrass D, 2nd floor)

WATCH D.O.G.S. is an innovative program that uses the positive influence of fathers and father figures to provide positive male role models for the students and an extra set of eyes and ears to enhance school security and reduce bullying. These men spend time at their student’s school volunteering in a variety of ways, doing whatever needs to be done to plant seeds of success in the lives of students.

Friday, December 4th, Reception (Open to all registered attendees and guests)
4:30PM - 5:45PMTailgating Reception (Commonwealth D, 1st floor)

Join us for a tailgating party before football season comes to an end! Wear your favorite team colors or come as you are for food, fun, games, music, drinks and great raffle prizes!

Saturday, December 5th, Continental Breakfast
7:00AM - 8:15AMContinental Breakfast (Bluegrass Foyer, 2nd floor)

Enjoy a light breakfast with fellow board members before getting started with today's workshops.

Saturday, December 5th, Plenary Session (1.25 hr. training credit)
8:15AM - 9:30AMAdvocating for Education in 2016 (Commonwealth Ballroom, 1st floor)
(A/S Level III Required Topic “Legislative Issues/Current Topics”)

As we prepare for the upcoming budget session, school board advocacy is more important than ever. But how do you get started and what exactly should you do? Who are the people that make our state education policy and how do they do it? This clinic will answer these questions and more for board members, who will also learn about KSBA’s legislative agenda for 2016.

Saturday, December 5th, Session D Workshops (1.25 hrs. training credit)
9:45AM - 11:00AMD1 Leading Effective Meetings for Small Boards (Bluegrass AB, 2nd floor)
(Qualifies for A/S Level II Required Topic “Leading Effective Meetings: A Board’s Guide to Parliamentary Procedure”)

This workshop focuses on the practical use of parliamentary rules and procedures for small boards, and the concepts of formality and “quirks” in relation to meetings.
9:45AM - 11:00AMD2 The Board’s Policy Making Role (Bluegrass E, 2nd floor)
(A/S Level I required course)

This session is designed to explore the following topics: the statutory basis for board policy (KRS 160.290 and KRS 160.340), the policy adoption and amendment process, board policy versus administrative procedure, policy manual organization, policy format, and using an online policy manual.
9:45AM - 11:00AMD3 A Financial Moment with MUNIS Reports (Bluegrass C, 2nd floor)
(A/S – Level III Required Topic “School Finance”; Counts toward mandated finance training requirement)

Mystified by MUNIS? This session will dissect the two financial reports that KDE requires all districts to post to their district website – the Monthly Financial Report and the Balance Sheet. Attendees will also see examples of reports that finance officers use as monthly board presentations to summarize the financial transactions for the reporting month.

Saturday, December 5th, Session D Level V Workshop - IF YOU CHOOSE TO ATTEND D4, YOU WILL NOT CHOOSE A WORKSHOP IN SESSION E (3 hrs. training credit)
9:30AM - 12:30PMD4 The Perfect Interview (Bluegrass D, 2nd floor)
(A/S Level V required course)

Don't you just love it when a reporter calls? How successful are you at getting quoted on the points you want to make? You can take greater control of media interviews by following the practical steps covered in this seminar. Issues include developing your talking points, drawing the reporter's attention to your emphasis, getting coverage of positive items at board meetings, "off the record," getting errors corrected and much more. For administrators and board chairpersons and members with frequent contacts by reporters.

Saturday, December 5th, Session E Workshops (1 .25 hrs. training credit)
11:15AM - 12:30PME1 “rewire” – Creating Conversations with Students about Their Sexualized Culture (Bluegrass E, 2nd floor)

Why are students making poor choices when it comes to using technology? They may be struggling with pornography, sexting or past abuse. Attendees will learn what students are dealing with in these sensitive areas and how providing them with better information can help them make better choices.
11:15AM - 12:30PME2 The Board and the New Superintendent Evaluation Process (Districts A-L will be in the Bluegrass C, 2nd floor); (Districts M-W will be in the Cardinal Room, 2nd floor)
(A/S Level II Required Topic “Superintendent Evaluation”; Counts toward mandated superintendent evaluation training requirement)

During the 2014-2015 school year, school board members were asked to become familiar with the new superintendent evaluation system developed by a statewide committee working with the education department. This session explains the process for effective evaluation that uses a continuous improvement model, as well as the standards in the Superintendent Leadership Plan that is part of the new system. Discussions will focus on the evaluation instrument, performance levels and examples of evidence of performance.
11:15AM - 12:30PME3 Your Association: What You Need to Know about KSBA and its Services (Bluegrass AB, 2nd floor)
(A/S Level I required course)

When you became a board member you became a member of the KSBA family. Since 1936, your association has been providing local board members, superintendents and other district leaders a wide variety of essential services ranging from insurance coverage to professional development. In this session, association officers and senior leadership will provide you with an overview of KSBA’s services and resources and lead a discussion about how you can get more involved.

Friday, December 1st, Session A Workshops (1.25 hrs. training credit)