Learn & Earn Webinars

KSBA's 2023 “Learn and Earn” webinar series offers insightful (and concise) topics each month while providing school board members with easy opportunities to earn state-mandated training. While information is presented through the lens of school board service, some topics may be pertinent to district administrators and education stakeholders groups. All are welcome to participate.

Sessions are scheduled for noon – 1:00 p.m. (Eastern) on the second Wednesday of each month at a cost of $50 per session. Pre-registration is required.

To expedite the registration process, KSBA now requires that the $50 fee be paid with a credit card at the time of registration. Please be prepared to enter your payment information when you click to register. Registrations are non-refundable. If a registrant is unable to participate in the live webinar, he/she may still be able to earn credit by watching a recording of the webinar after the fact and then applying for self-study credit. Access to a recorded version of the webinar will be made available to all registrants in the days following the live event.

All Learn and Earn webinars count for 1 hour of school board training credit. See below for a summary of upcoming Learn and Earn webinar dates and topics. Check back regularly for more details, including session descriptions and registration links.

May 10
Who is Caring for our Students?
This session will explore the most common models districts are utilizing to provide health services to their students (and staff) during the school day, including district employed, contractual and partnering with other health providers. While the opportunities are varied, the importance of this daily care has proven critical to maximize student achievement, attendance, and healthy outcomes. Kentucky examples will be highlighted.

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 and considerations in undertaking a search, and developing a contract.

Senate Bill 9 (2022) has the potential to be transformative in the goal of all children being able to read well before exiting grade three. Called the Read to Succeed Act, this bill is designed to employ evidence-based reading methods proven successful for struggling readers. Christie Biggerstaff, director of Early Literacy at the Kentucky Department of Education will discuss the Kentucky Reading Academies, SB9 implementation guidance and information about required assessments.
Presenter: Christie Biggerstaff, director of Early Literacy, Office of Teaching and Learning, Kentucky Department of Education

This interactive session highlights how the use of eMeeting and its related training is valuable to boards and school-based decision making councils as they do their important work. Effectiveness of eMeeting in avoiding Open Meetings Act/Open Records Act violations will also be covered. Training on these topics is critical for effective school-level and district-level governance.
Presenters: Katrina Kinman, director of policy and eMeeting services, John Powell, staff attorney, KSBA

September 13
A Deeper Dive into Your Wellness Policy
As a participant of the National Breakfast and/or Lunch Programs, schools districts are required to have a Local School Wellness Policy (LWP) promoting the health of students and addresses the growing problem of childhood obesity and food insecurity. The responsibility for developing a LSWP is placed at the local level so the unique needs of each school under the jurisdiction of the district can be addressed. Come explore the federal requirements and how this policy can provide framework for improved student well-being.
Presenters: Jim Tackett, healthy schools project director, Stephanie Bunge, school health consultant, Kentucky Department of Education

Recent legislation, including 2022’s Senate Bill 1 regarding the “reasonable review and response period” on proposed curriculum, make it necessary for board teams to have a solid grasp of how curriculum is developed. This session will discuss academic standards as the basis of local curriculum as well as the requirements for gathering input from school councils, principals, boards and the public. Participants will learn about special resources available to school leaders and best practices for the implementation of effective curriculum.
Presenter: Jana Beth Francis, assistant superintendent of Teaching and Learning, Daviess County Public Schools

As elected leaders in their community, school board members understand the importance of creating healthy and respectful environments on their board and in their meetings. But in an era of divisive opinions and heightened discourse that can be easier said than done. While there isn’t a silver bullet for solving the problem of incivility there are things every board member should know, understand and do to promote a positive district culture.

Have you ever wondered what happened to students who leave your districts and enter a residential program, a hospital setting, or a juvenile justice center? This session will follow the journey of a student in state care while describing the educational services provided by local school districts, the treatment services provided by state partners, and the wraparound services students experience while in state care. You’ll learn demographic information about state agency children, receive an overview of required educational services, understand the challenges our students face and the opportunities we have to support them.

Many topics from previous year's webinar series are now available as self-study courses.