Kentucky School Advocate
June 2023
Staff report
School is out and the weather is warm, but that doesn’t mean learning has to stop for the summer. KSBA’s Summer Leadership Institute offers a chance for board members to hone their leadership skills during the summer break.
“In planning the summer conference this year, we sought to refocus on leadership and helping board members develop the leadership skills they need during trying times,” said Debra Webb, director of Board Team Development. “Of course, we will also feature a wide variety of breakout sessions, including many of the state-mandated training requirements.”
After hearing positive feedback from members about this past year’s shift in the Friday SLI schedule, KSBA will once again hold a 4:30 p.m. Welcome Reception. The reception gives attendees a chance to network and visit the trade show before the opening session at 5:30 p.m.
“Members told us they appreciated the chance to settle in, visit the exhibitors and have a bite to eat before the conference begins,” Webb said.
Attendees who arrive even earlier will have the chance to attend up to three bonus sessions starting at 1 p.m. Among the bonus session topics is one nearly every district is grappling with: how to address the teacher shortage.
The opening session will kick off the conference with Tim Weisheyer bringing his leadership expertise to the conference. Weisheyer served as president of the Florida School Boards Association and spent eight years as a school board member for the Osceola County School District.
In his address, Weisheyer will help school board members learn to charge head-on into being a mission-focused leader and developing the skills and capacity needed to lead and innovate through all times – including times of challenge and adversity.
Weisheyer will return Saturday to lead a breakout session to dive deeper into leadership and will help board members develop and understand their leadership style. He will discuss how to work with a team and how to develop the discipline to remain focused on the students board members serve.
On Saturday morning, former Fayette County school board member Daryl Love will give the keynote address exploring the essential qualities that school board members need to provide effective leadership in unsteady times. He will explore the importance of resilience, adaptability and collaboration and will cover the key skills needed to navigate uncertainty, including communication, decision-making and problem-solving.
Love spent 10 years on the Fayette board and 31 years at Valvoline and Ashland where he worked in various roles in IT, human resources and communications.
In addition to the keynote speakers, board members will have the opportunity to attend three blocks of training sessions on Saturday with topics including communications, superintendent evaluation, political influence on public education, facility projects, finance and more. Board members will be able to earn a total of 10 hours of credit during the two-day event.
For more information or to register go to:
https://www.ksba.org/SummerLeadershipInstitute.aspxSummer Leadership Institute
July 14-15, Marriott Griffin Gate, Lexington
Bonus sessions begin at 1 p.m., Friday
Welcome Reception, 4:30 p.m., Friday
Opening Session, 5:30 p.m., Friday
Continental breakfast, 7:15 a.m., Saturday
Plenary Session, 8:30 a.m., Saturday