Early Bird Workshops

Note: Our Early Bird Workshops offer something for everyone and is a great way to kick-off the convention.

TOPIC: New Board Member Bootcamp – Sessions A & B

• Jayson Lloyd, ISBA Board Development Specialist

The New Board Member Bootcamp is a four-hour training to equip newly elected or appointed board members Participants will meet Idaho’s key education leaders, connect with fellow board members, and explore fundamentals of good governance. Topics include roles and responsibilities, ethics, policy, and finance. Through networking and guided discussion, school board members gain the confidence, knowledge, and connections needed to serve their communities successfully and support student achievement from day one.                

TOPIC: Leading a Board: For Board Chairs – Session A

• Anne Ritter, moderator
• Dave Wagers
• Jason Knopp

What is the role of the board chair/president?  More than leading a meeting: What are the duties and what are the limitations?  Gain insights from board chairs and board presidents representing a range of large and small districts as well as charter schools, each with experience leading during both challenging and calm times.    

TOPIC: Clerk’s Manual Deep Dive and Essential Tools, Tips, and Resources – Session A

• Monica Pauley
• Michelle Lucas

Take an in-depth look at the Idaho Clerk’s Manual, highlighting key sections, commonly overlooked details, and practical tools to support your work. Gain tips, clarify responsibilities, and walk away with resources that make your role more efficient, accurate, and build your confidence.

TOPIC: Changes in Public Education Funding – Session A

• Jonathan Gillen

Learn from a public school finance expert on navigating changes – both certain and uncertain – in how our schools are funded. The conversation includes navigating reduced enrollment, how to promote your school or district, school funding formulas, and dealing with the rumblings of Congress regarding federal funds.

TOPIC: How to Work Well with a School Board: For Superintendents & Charter Administrators – Session A

• Phil Gore, ISBA Chief Learning Officer

School boards can be unpredictable, though they have traits, needs, and desires that are the same as any group of people. Board members come from all walks of life and have varied life experiences and levels of education. Importantly, school board members want to contribute to the greater good and be respected for their contributions. What does it take to work well with a school board? It takes time, commitment, patience, communication, and effort. Consider opportunities you may have to sharpen your skills as an administrator and help develop a highly capable board/administrator team.

TOPIC: Essential Legal Hot Topics for Board Chairs – Session B

• Amy White

Leading a school board comes with unique challenges, and staying ahead of legal issues is one of the most important responsibilities of the board. In this session, you’ll explore the hottest legal topics every board chair needs to know. From navigating open meeting laws to managing executive sessions and executing financial emergencies, we’ll share real-world examples and practical strategies you can put into action right away. Walk away with the tools, confidence, and up-to-date knowledge to guide your board successfully and avoid common pitfalls.

TOPIC: Crafting Your Message – Session B

• Phil Gore, ISBA Chief Learning Officer
• Katie Russell, ISBA Communications & Program Associate

School board members are often the public face of their districts and charters, and the way you describe your schools matters. This interactive workshop gives you practical strategies to communicate your district/charter’s mission, values, and achievements with confidence. Together, we explore tools to help you connect with families, community partners, and policymakers. You will also practice shaping messages for different settings, from board meetings to social media, so you can leave prepared with authentic, ready-to-use talking points that highlight your district/charter’s strengths and build trust.

TOPIC: Effective Charter Board Governance – Session B

• Anne Ritter

Charter schools have no guarantee of continued existence. Survival requires a board that is knowledgeable, thoughtful, and works as a team with their charter administrator to maximize the chances of success. Charters have specific needs from their boards: ensuring stable or increasing enrollment, facilities management, student success, and financial stability. These needs are intertwined and need to be understood to govern a successful charter school. Attendees learn how to clearly define the board’s role, strengthen partnerships with their administrators, and apply governance practices that directly support enrollment growth, financial stability, and student outcomes. The practical tools and strategies learned are a tool to guide charter school boards toward long-term success.

TOPIC: Navigating the Challenges of the Superintendency: Tools, Tips, and Strategies to Retain Hope and Resilience in the Work of Leading the Schools of Today – Session B

• Tim Garchow

In this workshop, participants engage in discussions of timely issues, share the challenges that they face, and discover a variety of tools to assist in not only navigating issues, but also strengthening the working relationships of the board and superintendent team. Topics and resources include: navigating political divides, the superintendent’s role as the chief executive officer , tools for leaders, handling complaints, implementing student cell phone policies, surviving cyber attacks, special grant opportunities, and getting the job done while taking care of yourself.