Kentucky School Boards Association
Across the Board: Service, Support & Success
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2016 Winter Symposium

KSBA’s Winter Symposium has something for every board member regardless of how long they’ve served.

• Newly elected? Don’t miss out on the opportunity to jump start your professional development by attending individual workshops or the entire New Board Member Boot Camp.

• Served on the board for a while? Veteran members will find sessions to help you become more effective in your school board role, or to meet those last few training requirements before December 31.

Don’t miss your opportunity to learn and network with colleagues from across the state!
Friday, December 2nd, Welcome Session
8:15AM - 8:45AMWelcome Session (Commonwealth CD, 1st floor)

Gather with your friends and colleagues as we kick off this year’s event! Join us and learn (or be reminded of) important information that will help you get the most out of your conference experience.

New School Board Member Boot Camp (Day 1) - IF YOU REGISTER FOR THIS SESSION, YOU WILL NOT REGISTER FOR ADDITIONAL WORKSHOPS ON FRIDAY.
9:00AM - 4:45PMNew Board Member Boot Camp - Day 1 (Commonwealth AB, 1st floor)

Congratulations and welcome to board service! There is no greater contribution than serving as a member of the leadership team that provides educational opportunities for the children in your community. But now that the campaigning is over, it’s time to get down to business! The New Board Member Boot Camp is a specially selected set of courses designed to get your school board service off to the right start. It’s ideal for every new board member or anyone interested in getting back to the basics. Boot Camp Day 1 consists of the following four workshops:

A1 Congratulations! You Made the Team

B1 The Art of School Boarding

C1 The Board’s Policy Making Role

D1 Effective School Boards and Good School
Board Members

Please note that if you register for the Boot Camp Day 1 you will NOT register for additional workshops on Friday.

Friday, December 2nd, Session A Workshops (1.25 hrs. training credit)
9:00AM - 10:15AMA1 Congratulations! You Made the Team - Boot Camp Session 1 (Commonwealth AB, 1st floor)
(A/S – Level I Required Course)

This session provides new board members with an overview of the skills and knowledge necessary to become effective members of their district board/superintendent team.
9:00AM - 10:15AM A2 Making Sense of Dollars: Presenting Financial Information to Non-Financial Audiences (Bluegrass C, 2nd floor)
(A/S Level III required topic “School Finance”; Counts toward mandated finance training requirement)

If you think school finance is a tough topic to tackle, consider how mind-boggling it is for the people who pay the taxes that fund your programs. This class, developed with help from members of the Kentucky Association of School Business Officials, offers ideas and calendar opportunities to spell out school budgets and taxes to the community.
9:00AM - 10:15AMA3 Your Superintendent is Leaving. Now What? (Bluegrass A, 2nd floor)
(A/S Level II Required Topic “Superintendent Selection”)

At some point, most board members are faced with a superintendent vacancy. Hiring a district CEO is one of the most important roles of a school board, but it can be daunting to carry out. This session provides practical insight boards should know before filling the top job, including statutes and regulations, basic elements, timelines, considerations in undertaking a search, and developing a contract.
9:00AM - 10:15AMA4 Ethics and the School Board Meeting - Repeated as E4 - (Bluegrass B, 2nd floor)
(A/S Level I required topic “Ethics”; Meets mandated ethics training requirement)

Effective school board leadership often involves making ethical decisions. This session looks at board member roles and responsibilities, as well as best practices before, during and after the school board meeting.
9:00AM - 10:15AMA5 School Food Service Updates: The Impact of Non-traditional Instruction on School Meal Programs and More (Bluegrass DE, 2nd floor)
(A/S Level III required topic “Student Health & Wellness”)

This session focuses on the potential negative impact of non-traditional instruction days on school food service budgets. Participants also get an update on federal school wellness policy requirements and Smart Snacks in Schools regulations.

Friday, December 2nd, Session B Workshops (1.25 hrs. training credit)
10:30AM - 11:45AMB1 The Art of School Boarding - Boot Camp Session 2 (Commonwealth AB, 1st floor)

School boarding is unique. It takes a servant mentality, specialized skills and a heart for kids. It’s about teamwork, understanding how kids learn, and doing the right things the right way. This session covers the top 10 rules of school boarding, understanding how kids learn today, and an important process for handling communications with the public.
10:30AM - 11:45AMB2 Arming Teachers and Other School Personnel (Bluegrass A, 2nd floor)
(A/S Level II Required Topic “School Safety & Discipline”)

Arming civilians on school property continues to be a hot topic. Participants in this session receive information on relevant laws and learn about the impact of arming or not arming teachers and school personnel. In addition, attendees can participate in tabletop scenarios on school safety issues.
10:30AM - 11:45AMB3 The Annual Financial Audit (Bluegrass C, 2nd floor)
(A/S Level III required topic “School Finance”; Counts toward mandated finance training requirement)

School district staff may be involved with various types of audits throughout the year. The Kentucky Department of Education may audit attendance, transportation or testing; the federal government may audit any of its education programs. But the school board is responsible for the district financial audit. This session helps board members better understand their role in choosing an auditor, the audit process, the timeline and specific responsibilities regarding the audit.
10:30AM - 11:45AMB4 Energy as a Controllable Expense? Understanding the Finances of Energy (Bluegrass B, 2nd floor)
(A/S Level II Required Topic “School Facilities”)

This presentation provides the basics of understanding where and how to use less energy by implementing the latest technologies for energy reductions With that as an overlay, presenters examine the economic analysis from first costs and simple paybacks to using energy reduction as an annuity for capital projects.
10:30AM - 11:45AMB5 2017 Legislative Preview (Bluegrass DE, 2nd floor)
(A/S Level III required topic “Legislative Issues/Current Topics”)

The staff that represent your interests on the ground in Frankfort give you a look at the changing political dynamics in Frankfort and upcoming education issues before the 2017 legislative session.

Friday, December 2nd, Lunch Session (1 hr. training credit)
12:30PM - 1:45PM
- Fee: $15.00		Denting the Universe (Commonwealth CD, 1st floor)

What impact do school board members have on society? This session reviews the obstacle course of public education, the challenges of staying on top of changing parameters, and the difference that can be made through serving on the board.
Extra Adult ticket fee: $15.00
Extra Child ticket fee: $15.00

Friday, December 2nd, Trade Show Visitation and Networking
1:45PM - 2:30PMVendor Visit Time and Networking (2nd floor foyer)

Dessert is served! Take advantage of this time between sessions to visit with vendors and colleagues while enjoying a tasty treat.

Friday, December 2nd, Session C Workshops (1.25 hrs. training credit)
2:30PM - 3:45PMC1 The Board’s Policy-Making Role - Boot Camp Session 3 (Commonwealth AB, 1st 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.
2:30PM - 3:45PMC2 Financial Audit Recommendations for Effective School Boards (Bluegrass C, 2nd floor)
(A/S Level III required topic “School Finance”; Counts toward mandated finance training requirement)

Based on the findings of 21 school district audits, the state auditor’s office in August 2015 released recommendations to help school districts become more efficient and effective in using taxpayers’ dollars. The recommendations are aimed at local boards of education, superintendents, management, and school councils. This session focuses on the latest recommendations local school boards can use to ensure effective financial oversight.
2:30PM - 3:45PMC3 Preschool and the School Board (Bluegrass A, 2nd floor)
(A/S – Level II Required Topic “Student Learning & Support Services”)

This session examines the educational, economical and ethical reasons for establishing a high-quality preschool, including what preschool is and is not. It identifies the role of the school board as well as specific actions that board members may take to get it started.
2:30PM - 3:45PMC4 Progress through the Process: Creating Effective Non-Traditional Instructional (NTI) Days (Bluegrass B, 2nd floor)


Non-traditional instruction is an opportunity for districts to employ a flipped model of instruction that extends student learning opportunities into days traditionally lost to snow. Teachers can have access to students through various platforms that bridge the gap created when school is unexpectedly cancelled, enabling districts to receive credit for those days. This workshop shares tips for making NTI days successful.
2:30PM - 3:45PMC5 School Law for School Board Members 101 (Bluegrass DE, 2nd floor)
(A/S – Level III Required Topic “Legal Issues”)

This foundational session covers legal topics that are must-knows for school board members, including board member eligibility, responsibilities and restrictions of the school board, interplay between the school board and other local and state education actors, and processes and procedures for conducting school board meetings. Open Meetings and Open Records acts are also discussed, along with basic parliamentary procedure.

Friday, December 2nd, Session D Workshops (1.25 hrs. training credit)
4:00PM - 5:15PMD1 Effective School Boards and Good School Board Members - Boot Camp Session 4 (Commonwealth AB, 1st floor)
(A/S – Level II Required Topic “Board/Superintendent Relations”)

Review the roles and responsibilities as well as the qualities of effective school board members. The session includes guidelines for being an effective member of the board and behaviors to avoid as a good board member.
4:00PM - 5:15PMD2 Supporting Student Achievement through Effective Board Governance (Bluegrass C, 2nd floor)
(A/S Level III required topic “Leadership through Teamwork”)

This session focuses on effective governance from both the board members’ and superintendent’s points of view, covering best practices for creating and maintaining a healthy and productive board/superintendent relationship, and pitfalls to avoid. Participants discuss characteristics of highly effective school boards and learn how to send the message to school staff and the community that even though individual members might not always agree, they are a board team, making solid decisions.
4:00PM - 5:15PMD3 Evaluating the Superintendent – Looking Back and Moving Forward - Repeated as F2 (Bluegrass DE, 2nd floor)
(A/S Level II Required Topic “Superintendent Evaluation”; Meets mandated superintendent evaluation training requirement)

During the 2014-2015 school year, school boards became familiar with the new Superintendent Professional Growth and Effectiveness System. The following year brought implementation in all Kentucky school districts. Use this session to discuss successes and challenges of the new instrument and process, along with best practices to ensure the SPGES assists your board/superintendent team to become more effective leaders.
4:00PM - 5:15PMD4 Sailing in the Perfect Storm as a Board Team (Bluegrass A, 2nd floor)

Great things happen when people communicate, collaborate, cooperate, compromise and trust each other. Learn about a board development process that combines training, performance coaching and practice to help boards work together to effectively navigate discussions, disagreements and decisions.

Friday, December 2nd, Tailgating Reception
5:30PM - 6:45PMTailgating 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! Open to all conference attendees, vendors and guests.

Saturday, December 3rd, Continental Breakfast
7:15AM - 8:00AMContinental Vendor Breakfast (2nd floor foyer)

Enjoy a light breakfast with colleagues and vendors before getting started with today's workshops.

Saturday, December 3rd, Plenary Session (1.25 hrs. training credit)
8:00AM - 9:30AMYour Association: What You Need to Know About KSBA and its Services (Commonwealth CD, 1st floor)
(A/S – Level I Required Course)

As an elected board member you are now 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 policy to communications. In this session, association officers and senior leadership present an overview of KSBA’s services and resources.

New School Board Member Boot Camp (Day 2) - IF YOU REGISTER FOR THIS SESSION, YOU WILL NOT REGISTER FOR ADDITIONAL WORKSHOPS ON SATURDAY.
9:45AM - 12:30PMNew School Board Member Boot Camp - Day 2 (Commonwealth AB, 1st floor)

Congratulations and welcome to board service! There is no greater contribution than serving as a member of the leadership team that provides educational opportunities for the children in your community. But now that the campaigning is over, it’s time to get down to business! The New Board Member Boot Camp is a specially selected set of courses designed to get your school board service off to the right start. It’s ideal for every new board member or anyone interested in getting back to the basics. Boot Camp Day 2 consists of the following two workshops:

E1 School Board Fiscal Responsibilities:
Driving Success through Informed
Decisions – Part I

F1 School Board Fiscal Responsibilities:
Driving Success through Informed
Decisions – Part II

Please note that if you register for the Boot Camp Day 2 you will NOT register for additional workshops on Saturday.

Saturday, December 3rd, Session E Workshops (1.25 hrs. training credit)
9:45AM - 11:00AME1 School Board Fiscal Responsibilities: Driving Success Through Informed Decisions – Part I - Boot Camp Session 5 (Commonwealth AB, 1st 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.
9:45AM - 11:00AME2 Open Meetings Act Overview and Recent Open Meetings Decisions of Interest (Bluegrass DE, 2nd floor)
(A/S – Level III Required Topic “Legal Issues”)

Review the basic requirements of Kentucky’s Open Meetings Act and address questions such as: What agencies or committees are covered? When does a gathering of a quorum of the board become a meeting? When and how may public agencies conduct closed-session discussions? May an agency take any final action in closed session? Find out what the Kentucky attorney general said about these and other Open Meetings issues.
9:45AM - 11:00AME3 The Role of the Board Chair (Bluegrass A, 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 through effective meetings, as well as how the chairperson can help build a culture of trust in the district and in the community.
9:45AM - 11:00AME4 Ethics and the School Board Meeting - Repeat of A4 (Bluegrass B, 2nd floor)
(A/S Level I required topic “Ethics”; Meets mandated ethics training requirement)

Effective school board leadership often involves making ethical decisions. This session looks at board member roles and responsibilities, as well as best practices before, during and after the school board meeting.

Saturday, December 3rd, Session F Workshops (1.25 hrs. training credit)
11:15AM - 12:30PMF1 School Board Fiscal Responsibilities: Driving Success through Informed Decisions – Part II - Boot Camp Session 6 (Commonwealth AB, 1st 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.
11:15AM - 12:30PMF2 Evaluating the Superintendent – Looking Back and Moving Forward - Repeat of D3 (Bluegrass B, 2nd floor)
(A/S Level II Required Topic “Superintendent Evaluation”;Meets mandated superintendent evaluation training requirement)

During the 2014-2015 school year, school boards became familiar with the Superintendent Professional Growth and Effectiveness System. The following year brought implementation in all Kentucky school districts. Use this session to discuss successes and challenges of the new instrument and process, along with best practices to ensure the SPGES assists your board/superintendent team become more effective leaders.
11:15AM - 12:30PMF3 Bridging the Gaps – School Boards and School Councils Working Together (Bluegrass DE, 2nd floor)
(A/S Level I required topic “The Board’s Role in Student Achievement”)

Learn how school boards and school councils can work together to ensure high levels of achievement for all students.