Join us on Thursday, October 24, 2024 and Friday, October 25, 2024 at Lake Morey Resort for a new training and conference format for the Annual VSBA/VSA Fall Conference.
Pre-conference Workshop: Navigating Finance, Policy, and Partnerships
for School Board Officers and Superintendents
Thursday, October 24, 2:00 - 4:00 pm
A strong collaborative partnership between school board officers and superintendents has never been more important. Participants in this workshop will:
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Gain a deeper understanding of recent changes to education finance law and the impact on the budgeting process.
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Discuss strategies for contending with the political and fiscal pressures facing school boards.
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A Celebration of Public Education in Vermont
Thursday, October 24, 2024, 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Join us for an inspiring evening dedicated to honoring the achievements of public education in Vermont. Begin your evening by exploring a vibrant array of student and educator exhibits scattered throughout the conference venue. This is a perfect opportunity to network with fellow attendees while enjoying light refreshments.
Following the exhibit showcase, join us in the ballroom for a banquet dinner and evening filled with engaging student presentations and captivating performances, celebrating the talent and dedication of our public school community. This event is not only a testament to the hard work of our students and educators but also a chance to connect, share, and celebrate together.
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The VSBA/VSA’s Annual Conference
Friday, October 25, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Join us for a transformative day dedicated to the visionary work and community engagement efforts of school boards. This year’s conference promises thought-provoking learning sessions and invaluable opportunities to collaborate with education leaders from across the state.
Designed to foster partnership, school board members and superintendents are encouraged to attend together, ensuring a unified approach to leadership and learning. School board chairs and superintendents attending together will also fulfill the joint training requirement under 16 V.S.A. § 561(b).
Julio Delgado
Julio Delgado is a Leadership Executive Manager for Apple Education for the Eastern half of the United States. He served in K-12 public education for 34 years. While with Apple, Julio has led and presented to educators and boards of education across the United States on the importance of learning communities, as well as the vital role of instructional coaching in lesson creation and design to achieve the highest levels of student achievement and instructional independence. He has spearheaded initiatives that foster creative instructional design, team building, teacher leadership, social emotional wellness, diversity, and equity in school planning. Julio is a graduate of St. John’s University and Queens College.
Heather Sulejman
Heather Sulejman is a trained mediator and Disagreeing Better co-founder and consultant. At Disagreeing Better, Heather works to design and deliver engaging and effective training dedicated to translating behavioral science insights into practical tools for professional audiences. Heather’s expertise centers around processes for effective disagreement, conflict management, and negotiations. Heather has 13 years of experience supporting conflict management training across multiple industries.
Draft Agenda
Thursday, October 24, 2024
2:00-4:00 Pre-conference Workshop: Navigating Finance, Policy, and Partnerships for
School Board Officers and Superintendents
5:00-8:00 A Celebration of Public Education, Reception and Banquet Dinner
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Friday, October 25, 2024
7:30- 8:30 Registration and Breakfast
8:00 - 8:15 VSBIT Annual Meeting
8:15 - 8:30 VEHI Annual Meeting
8:30 - 9:00 Welcome
9:00 - 10:00 Keynote - Julio Delgado
10:00 - 10:10 Break
10:15 - 10:45 Sponsor Workshops/Expo
11:00 - 12:30 Disagreeing Better Keynote Workshop - Heather Sulejman
12:30 - 1:15 Networking Lunch
1:20 - 2:35 Community Engagement Workshops Round 1
2:40 - 3:00 Sponsor Drawing/Break
3:10 - 4:25 Community Engagement Workshops Round 2
4:30 Closing
Keynote with Julio Delgado: The Role and Power of Vision in Leadership
Join us in the chronicle of a leadership journey that traverses a span of 50 years. The role and power of vision is an immeasurable force in leadership. Julio’s story centers on this force... and how vision, purpose and passion are drivers of systemic success and a gateway for essential brave conversations.
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Keynote Workshop with Heather Sulejman: Disagreeing Better: The Art and Science of Communicating Across Differences
During this interactive workshop, Heather Sulejman of Disagreeing Better, LLC., will lead participants in a discussion of the benefits and challenges of constructive disagreement. The content of the exercises and discussion will be grounded in cutting-edge behavioral science research. The workshop will focus on cultivating receptive mindsets and practicing receptive communication with colleagues and constituents with the goal of building individual skills for navigating disagreement.
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Community Engagement Workshop Descriptions
(Sessions will be repeated at 1:20 pm and 3:10 pm)
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Community Engagement through Equitable Budgeting
This workshop will explore one Vermont district's initiative to create an Equitable Budgeting and Staffing Model to foster a more inclusive school system. Participants will hear directly from the district leaders and Tassant Partners, the consulting firm who supported this work, to learn about the dual goals of ensuring equitable distribution of resources and increasing transparency and community participation in the budget process. Participants will discover how the district engaged with over 500 students, family members, staff, and community members to gather diverse perspectives and ensure the equitable budgeting model meets the community's needs. Join this session to gain practical insights into developing and implementing equitable budgeting strategies, enhancing student achievement, and ensuring educational equity.
Community Engagement to Create Policy: A Case Study on Cell Phones
Effective school board policies require the active involvement of the community to ensure alignment with local values and priorities. This workshop will explore the importance of community engagement in the policymaking process, using a real-world example of one school board’s effort to create and implement a no-cell phone policy. Attendees will learn how the board engaged parents, students, and educators to shape the policy, address concerns, and promote buy-in. The session will provide practical strategies for fostering open dialogue and building consensus to create effective, community-backed school policies.
Community Engagement through Inclusive and Accessible Board Meetings
This workshop will focus on enhancing community engagement by making board meetings more inclusive and accessible. Participants will explore effective strategies for creating board meetings that welcome diverse voices and ensure that all community members can fully participate. The session will cover practical approaches to fostering inclusivity and accessibility, including accommodating different needs and removing barriers to participation. Strategies outside of regular board meetings will also be explored, such as public forums and special committees. Additionally, participants will gain an understanding of how these strategies align with open meeting laws and other legal obligations.
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Community Engagement through 365 Days of Effective Communication
This workshop is designed for school boards to build and sustain meaningful communication with their communities throughout the entire year, beyond the budget vote. Participants will learn strategies for developing a comprehensive communication plan that keeps community members informed, engaged, and actively involved in school board activities. The session will cover methods for regular updates, utilizing various media channels, and fostering ongoing dialogue with stakeholders. Attendees will gain insights into creating a communication calendar and implementing proactive outreach techniques to strengthen community relationships and support.
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Sponsors (logos are links to their websites)
SPONSOR WORKSHOPS
Leveraging Virtual Options to Meet Your School's Goals
Vermont Virtual Learning Cooperative
Learn how to utilize virtual options in your school district to advance student opportunity and flexible pathways to learning.
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Unpacking H.871 and School District Master Plans
TruexCullins
Join K12 Education Studio leaders from TruexCullins Architecture & Interior Design to review what makes a master plan, as described in H.871. Learn our approach to supporting school districts and supervisory unions in developing sustainable, holistic, and future-facing master plans per these new state directives.
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Coordinated Communication for School Boards
John Guilfoil Public Relations - Paul Zinni/Tom Zuppa
Whether it’s coordinated communication during a crisis or a public meeting, creating an effective communications plan with fidelity and rigor is essential to any board.
Topics will include:
• Cooperative communication during public meetings
• Managing community input during public meetings
• Collaborative communications between School Board members and administration
• Communicating with stakeholders effectively during a crisis
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Supporting All Students in Dual Enrollment through Universal Design
Landmark College
Learn about how Dual Enrollment can help Vermont schools reach their “Portrait of a Graduate” goals. Dual Enrollment has a positive impact on learner agency, problem solving, communication, academic proficiency, and overall student well-being. Moreover, it provides students a critical advantage with post-secondary plans and flexible pathways after graduation. Landmark College in Putney in a global leader in post-secondary education and has been doing Dual Enrollment for over ten years. They will share best practices and their expertise in Universal Design to help all learners achieve their educational goals.
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Performance Contracting for Schools
Energy Efficient Investments, Inc.
Energy Efficient Investments, Inc. (EEI) has been providing energy upgrades to schools in Northern New England since 2007 through a project delivery method called performance contracting. Learn how EEI leverages grants, rebates, and energy savings to provide capital improvements that reduce energy consumption, costs, & CO2 output.
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