2024 ASBA Annual Conference

Replacing the superintendent or other administrative positions is among the school board's most important decisions. This presentation will include aspects of the search process, including establishing search criteria, search timeline, involvement of stakeholders, the application process, reference checking, screening applicants, and final candidate selection. Consultants will provide information regarding how a search firm can support and guide a board during the search process. Board members can ask questions about selecting a superintendent and other services available through a search firm.

Join Dr. Joe Fisher, Superintendent of the Guy-Perkins School District, for an empowering session on facilitating courageous conversations as a school board leader. Drawing on his 32- year experience in Arkansas education, Dr. Fisher will share practical strategies for addressing difficult topics, navigating conflict, and fostering open and honest dialogue among board members and the community. This session will equip attendees with the tools and confidence needed to lead with courage and ensure productive communication that drives positive outcomes for students and the entire school community.

Our school created a tier 1 behavior matrix that focuses on the desired behaviors that our school expects students to follow. This matrix is called The BEARS Way and has transformed our school culture and created behavioral and academic success. We used the Behavior Solutions and Behavior Academies book as a guide when creating the matrix and following through with our preventions and interventions. Everyone on our campus uses the same language, and students have a clear understanding of the expectations. We have seen a decrease in office referrals and an increase in student engagement and academic 2uccesss. We also have monthly assemblies tied to The BEARS Way, which focuses on the attributes of being a BEAR. One student is recognized per class per each individual component of BEARS. Our students also earn BEAR bucks for following The BEARS Way and can spend it at the BEAR store each week.

This session explores the critical role of establishing and maintaining good behavioral norms alongside parliamentary procedures to ensure smooth and productive board meetings. Participants will learn how a balance of structured rules and positive interpersonal conduct fosters collaboration, reduces conflict, and enhances decision-making efficiency. By the end of the session, attendees will have practical insights and tools to implement these practices in their own board settings for improved outcomes.Key Takeaways:•The importance of behavioral norms in creating a respectful and collaborative meeting environment.•How parliamentary procedures provide structure and fairness in decision-making.•Strategies to integrate both for seamless and effective board operations.

Join this engaging session where we’ll dive into the essentials of effective board meetings. Using the humorous and insightful “Andy Videos” as a springboard, we’ll discuss best practices for fostering productive and professional board interactions. Laugh along as we learn how to navigate common challenges, and leave with practical tips to improve collaboration and decision-making. Perfect for both seasoned members and newcomers, this session promises to entertain while equipping you with tools to elevate your board’s effectiveness.

Replacing the superintendent or other administrative positions is among the school board's most important decisions. This presentation will include aspects of the search process, including establishing search criteria, search timeline, involvement of stakeholders, the application process, reference checking, screening applicants, and final candidate selection. Consultants will provide information regarding how a search firm can support and guide a board during the search process. Board members can ask questions about selecting a superintendent and other services available through a search firm.

At Hugh Goodwin, where legends are made, we strive to build resilient, ready, and eager leaders of the future. Our focus centers around enhancing instructional quality and building endurance by fostering a positive learning environment where students can thrive. Through strong partnerships with the El Dorado Promise and numerous community organizations, we provide many enriching opportunities for students. Parental involvement plays a key role in elevating our educational experiences. Our presentation highlights the crucial role of parent and community involvement in fostering a positive learning environment. Yearly, we organize various family and community engagement activities; some include Literacy Night, Math Night, Frolic on 5th, and our Pumpkin Patch Night. Parents have opportunities to lead lessons in our garden and participate as readers and presenters in our library. We encourage parents to complete volunteer training, allowing them to support activities like Bubble Gum Math and reading to students throughout the year.

Join us for an engaging session with an attorney and acting superintendent, offering practical advice for school boards. This presentation will focus on enhancing communication, improving board relations, and addressing everyday legal issues in school governance. Participants will discover effective strategies for transparent dialogue and active listening, which are crucial for building trust and collaboration between superintendents and board members. The session will emphasize the importance of mutual respect and shared goals to create strong partnerships. Additionally, the superintendent will share real-life examples of common legal challenges and provide proactive solutions to navigate them effectively. By the end of the session, attendees will be equipped with actionable tools to foster resilience and readiness in their schools, prioritizing student success today while preparing for future challenges. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your leadership approach and strengthen school governance!

This session explores the critical role of establishing and maintaining good behavioral norms alongside parliamentary procedures to ensure smooth and productive board meetings. Participants will learn how a balance of structured rules and positive interpersonal conduct fosters collaboration, reduces conflict, and enhances decision-making efficiency. By the end of the session, attendees will have practical insights and tools to implement these practices in their own board settings for improved outcomes.Key Takeaways:•The importance of behavioral norms in creating a respectful and collaborative meeting environment.•How parliamentary procedures provide structure and fairness in decision-making.•Strategies to integrate both for seamless and effective board operations.

School board members will be introduced to school finance in an in-depth session that will include understanding the school funding formula, school accounting practices, and what a school board member should be most keenly aware of related to school finance.

Need your required School Safety/Student Discipline (Bullying) training? This presentation will fulfill that requirement.  Board members are required to have specific professional development as called for in Act 1029 of 2019 that addresses the topic of bullying in schools and current requirements to address it.  Attendees will learn the requirements that their district policy must include, the definitions of some of the most important concepts and terms this legislation addresses, and an overview of what each school must be prepared to do to prevent, report, investigate and respond to bullying behavior.

Join this engaging session where we’ll dive into the essentials of effective board meetings. Using the humorous and insightful “Andy Videos” as a springboard, we’ll discuss best practices for fostering productive and professional board interactions. Laugh along as we learn how to navigate common challenges, and leave with practical tips to improve collaboration and decision-making. Perfect for both seasoned members and newcomers, this session promises to entertain while equipping you with tools to elevate your board’s effectiveness.

Join Dr. Joe Fisher, Superintendent of the Guy-Perkins School District, for an empowering session on facilitating courageous conversations as a school board leader. Drawing on his 32- year experience in Arkansas education, Dr. Fisher will share practical strategies for addressing difficult topics, navigating conflict, and fostering open and honest dialogue among board members and the community. This session will equip attendees with the tools and confidence needed to lead with courage and ensure productive communication that drives positive outcomes for students and the entire school community.

Understanding school finance is critical for effective decision-making and responsible governance. This session will break down the complexities of school funding into clear, actionable insights. Participants will explore the basics of revenue streams, budgeting, and expenditures, along with key financial terms and concepts. Real-world examples and practical strategies will empower board members to ask the right questions, ensure transparency, and make informed financial decisions that support student success. Whether you're new to school finance or looking for a refresher, this session will provide the tools you need to navigate the numbers with confidence.

To ensure all students are ready for the challenges of tomorrow requires a proactive, data- driven, all-hands-on-deck approach from educators. This session will explore the critical role “Marathon Meetings” have in creating a culture of responsiveness that ensures every student learns at high levels. Participants will learn how to effectively implement “marathon meetings” that identify and respond to students in need of academic, behavior and attendance support. Marathon meetings are intentional, fast-paced and solution focused. Key components of marathon meetings include the importance of all stakeholders attending the meeting, being solution focused, keeping the time requirement, making data-driven decisions, providing targeted interventions, and follow-through. By the end of the session, participants will understand the positive impact marathon meetings have on school culture and student achievement. They will be equipped with the knowledge and tools to implement marathon meetings at their schools.

This presentation on board leadership and governance will engage participants on three critical concepts for enhanced communication between school board members and superintendents.

Enjoy a performance from the Benton Middle School Choir during this networking lunch.

Join Kirk Lane, a leading expert in drug prevention and law enforcement, for an impactful presentation on the opioid crisis. This session will explore the origins and effects of the opioid epidemic, the challenges faced by communities, and the innovative strategies being employed to combat its devastating impact. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the role of education, prevention, and enforcement in addressing this critical issue and learn practical steps they can take to support the fight against opioid abuse in their own communities.

In this presentation, Beau McCastlain will showcase how De Queen High School’s television program, DQTV, has transformed student engagement through innovative student-led projects and impactful industry partners. The program started amid Covid with just seven students focused on project-based learning. Four years later, the program is 100 percent student-led and features students who have received regional and national recognition, including two who worked as members of the White House Press Corp.
DQTV’s partnerships with KDQN, SWEPCO, and other industry partners throughout Arkansas exemplify how regional collaborations can provide essential community services while enriching student experiences. These partnerships support local needs and offer students real-world exposure and opportunities for professional growth.
McCastlain will share how his journey as a student and early connections in his life built the foundation for his career path, his decision to become an educator, and valuable advice and lessons he learned from his early years as a teacher. His presentation will tell stories about the transformation he has witnessed in his students once they take ownership of their learning. He will explain how his innovative approach to class rosters allows his classroom to replicate an authentic work environment with space for collaboration and leadership growth. McCastlain will also describe how he approaches the unique challenges of his student-led environment and how aspects of student choice can be implemented in any subject area or grade level.
Join us to see how DQTV’s commitment to student-led projects and strategic partnerships has created paid internships for students and a revenue stream for the program, propelled students to new heights, and positively impacted De Queen Public Schools, families, and community stakeholders.

The ASBA Delegate Assembly, which is the policy-making body of ASBA, will meet at 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 11, 2024, during the ASBA Annual Conference at the Marriott Hotel in Little Rock. All ASBA member school boards are allotted one (1) voting representative at that meeting. Only persons registered as delegates and wearing an orange delegate ribbon, provided during conference registration, will be admitted into the delegate area of the Delegate Assembly. Limited seating will be provided for non-delegate observers.

Copies of the Proposed Beliefs & Resolutions will be mailed directly to the delegates. They are also available on ASBA's website. We encourage all delegates to bring a copy of the Proposed Beliefs & Resolutions to the Delegate Assembly.