Kentucky School Advocate
February 2024

Approximately 1,000 school board members, superintendents, administrators and education industry leaders will all convene at the Galt House in Louisville March 1-3 for KSBA’s 2024 Annual Conference.

This year’s conference theme, “Unlocking Board Effectiveness,” is inspired by KSBA’s yearlong theme, “Keys to Success.” The three-day event, packed with networking and learning, is designed to empower Kentucky’s education leaders with the knowledge and tools to enhance their governance capabilities.

Annual Conference provides the ideal environment for board members to earn state-mandated board training hours, with attendees having their pick of more than 50 sessions, including special pre-conference options, and a sold-out trade show boasting more than 80 industry leaders.

For the Opening Session on March 1, KSBA welcomes 13-year-old Orion Jean, the 2021 TIME Kid of the Year and author of “A Kids Book About Leadership” and “Race to Kindness.” Orion’s story has been featured on “Ellen”, “Good Morning America” and the “CBS Evening News.”

Orion is the founder of the Race to Kindness program which donates meals, books and toys to children. He created the program at age 10 after winning a national speech contest about kindness.

The Plenary Session on March 2 will feature a keynote address by Jennifer Ulie entitled, “Elevating School Mental Health: The Strategic Role of School Boards.” Ulie, a former school board member and school mental health expert, will share her own experiences with trauma and the crucial role schools played in her survival.

Saturday’s luncheon will serve as a celebration of district leadership, highlighted by special awards and honors as well as the traditional recognition of KSBA’s annual First Degree College Scholarship and CTE Student Grant recipients.

Sunday’s Brunch Session touches on a topic everyone is thinking about: Artificial intelligence. KSBA will be joined by Pete Martinez, an international entrepreneur with real-life experience in the development of some of the most advanced applications of AI. Martinez will share, in non-technical terms, the fundamentals and challenges of AI in our society.

This year’s Trade Show will include familiar faces along with 16 companies that will be exhibiting at their first KSBA Annual Conference. The Trade Show will open at 8 a.m. Friday, March 1 so that attendees can maximize their time spent with vendors. The Trade Show will also be home to Friday’s Networking Reception and Saturday’s Continental Breakfast. There will also be an hour for attendees to visit the Trade Show following Saturday’s Plenary Session. Board members can earn training credit by visiting the trade show.

KSBA members can expect the same quality training this year along with the association’s trademark hospitality, but this year’s event will feature plenty of changes.

Here are just a few:

CTE Student Showcase returns. KSBA will partner for a second year with the Kentucky Department of Education’s Office of Career and Technical Education (CTE) to showcase more than two dozen student exhibits highlighting career pathway programs across the state. The showcase will run from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. on March 1. The participating students will be recognized on the conference stage. As an added incentive, board members who attend the CTE showcase can earn training credit.

Lunch options on Friday, March 1. Based on feedback from members, KSBA will not offer a boxed lunch option on March 1. Instead, the association is working with the Galt House Hotel to offer a variety of lunch options in and around the facility. The hotel’s restaurants will offer regular menus as well as special “grab-and-go” options for members and guests. Information will also be made available on dining options surrounding the Galt House.

Annual Business Meeting. On Saturday morning, prior to the Plenary keynote speaker, KSBA will gavel into its Business Meeting to ratify four new directors-at-large. Following continental breakfast, the  meeting will begin promptly at 8 a.m. with the Plenary Session kicking off around 8:15 a.m. See page 15 to meet this year’s slate of at-large directors-elect.

Get your passport stamped at the trade show. New to this year’s Trade Show is the KSBA Vendor Passport. Each attendee will receive a Vendor Passport in their conference bag. Attendees will collect signatures from vendors to earn entries for KSBA prize giveaways, which will include one free registration to the 2025 Annual Conference and other prizes. More information on the passports will be sent to attendees prior to the conference.

For more information on KSBA’s 2024 Annual Conference, including a complete event schedule and easy online registration, visit ksba.org/AnnualConference.aspx.