2023 Board Service Academy Series & Additional Professional Development Opportunities
(NOTE: 2024 MABE trainings to be posted shortly.)
MABE workshops will be held virtually until or unless announced otherwise. Additional workshops will be offered as the need or issue arises.
There is a charge of $75.00 per workshop unless otherwise indicated, payable via the online registration link provided for each workshop. Please note that event registration closes at 10:00 am on the business day prior to each event's occurrence.
For more information about Board Development Programs, please contact Molly Young, Director of Board Development.
The Budget Process: Make Sure You're Prepared! (Milton Nagel)
RESCHEDULED to Tuesday, January 24, 2023
($75)
9:00 am - Noon
One of the most important and challenging functions of a school board involves school budget and finance. When districts are preparing their budgets, it is imperative for all members of the board of education to understand the budget process, know the school board's role in the process, and -- importantly -- know how to best communicate budget requests to their local appropriating body. You'll leave this practical session having gained helpful insights and how-tos about the budgeting process from MABE Deputy Executive Director Milton Nagel.
Event registration closes at 10:00 am on the business day prior to the event.
NSBA Equity Symposium
Saturday, January 28, 2023
The NSBA Equity Symposium provides a forum for school board members, public school advocates, and community leaders to examine and discuss the strategies, current trends, research, and best practices around equity in our nation’s public K-12 schools. Join your colleagues at NSBA’s Equity Symposium, January 28, 2023 in Washington, D.C.
Successfully Building & Navigating Relationships During Stressful Times (Molly Young)
Thursday, February 9, 2023 ($75)
9:00 am - Noon
You'll want to make this session a priority. School boards and school board members have a responsibility to build relationships for the good of their community. From stakeholders and students to superintendents, knowing your role and how it relates to others is of utmost importance. Relationships can strain during challenging times, and today's ongoing political and pandemic-related hurdles only intensify this reality. During this timely session, you will learn how to create and foster important relationships; review related roles and responsibilities; and practice pragmatic communication strategies sure to help during rocky times.
Event registration closes at 10:00 am on the business day prior to the event.
The Open Meetings Act: Understanding its Significance, Avoiding Penalties & Ensuring School Board Compliance (Debra Daniel)
Thursday, February 23, 2023 ($75)
9:00 am - Noon
Maryland law now requires that at least one member of the board be designated to receive training on Maryland's Open Meetings Act, and we strongly recommend that all members be familiar with the Act. The Open Meetings Act is more complicated than just providing public notice of your meetings. This workshop will help you and your school board colleagues by providing an in-depth overview of the Act, and discussing some of the cases and complaints that have come before the Open Meetings Compliance Board. MABE is one of only three non-governmental entities permitted under Maryland law to provide this important training you won't want to miss.
Event registration closes at 10:00 am on the business day prior to the event.
School Boards Operating in a New Age: The Pressing Need for Vision & Accountability (Molly Young)
Saturday, March 4, 2023 ($75)
9:00 am - Noon
Vision and accountability are two of the key components of effective board governance, and neither has been more imperative than in today's turbulent, hectic climate. Establishing a clear vision with high expectations for quality learning supports strong student outcomes. This includes clear and specific goals to move a district forward, and being held accountable to these goals. Accountability depends on open decision making, community engagement and support, and receptivity to new ideas and constructive criticism. This Board Service Academy will feature helpful best practices and discussion of unique related challenges from your peers from around the state.
Event registration closes at 10:00 am on the business day prior to the event.
School Boards Operating in a New Age: The Pressing Need for Vision & Accountability (Molly Young)
Tuesday, March 7, 2023 ($75)
9:00 am - Noon
Vision and accountability are two of the key components of effective board governance, and neither has been more imperative than in today's turbulent, hectic climate. Establishing a clear vision with high expectations for quality learning supports strong student outcomes. This includes clear and specific goals to move a district forward, and being held accountable to these goals. Accountability depends on open decision making, community engagement and support, and receptivity to new ideas and constructive criticism. This Board Service Academy will feature helpful best practices and discussion of unique related challenges from your peers from around the state.
Event registration closes at 10:00 am on the business day prior to the event.
Crisis Communication How-Tos for Boards of Education (Jen Beltz)
Wednesday, March 22, 2023 ($75)
9:00 am - Noon
School boards today are facing a range of threats that seem only to increase, involving everything from social media firestorms, meeting protests and misconduct accusations, to contentious ballot issues, school violence, and difficult labor union negotiations. When crises occur -- or seem ready to crop up at any moment -- stakeholders need to hear and be influenced by the board's clear and reassuring positions. Learn from MABE's Communications Director Jen Beltz ways to frame and share your message in a diplomatic, time-sensitive and persuasive way.
Event registration closes at 10:00 am on the business day prior to the event.
The NSBA Annual Conference and Exposition (Orlando, FL)
April 1-3, 2023
The NSBA 2023 Annual Conference and Exposition describes itself as "the one national event that brings together education leaders to learn about best governance practices, gain insight into child development and learn about new programs and technology that can help enrich student learning. NSBA 2023 is one of the few—if not the only—places where school board members from around the country can receive the training necessary to address the instructional needs of students and to improve the efficiency of district operations."
The Board of Education Role in Community Engagement & Leadership (Molly Young)
Tuesday, April 25, 2023 ($75)
9:00 am - Noon
The ultimate goal of community engagement is to focus the community on answering the key question, "What must this community be like in order for all children to succeed?" Since community engagement is built on ongoing two-way communication between an organization and the community it serves, boards are a step ahead when they view such engagement as a strategic, proactive opportunity to strengthen their school systems. This important session will help you develop a better understanding of the public's expectations, and determine how parents, business people, and other members of the public can actively support the school system through effective engagement. By doing so, board members empower themselves by increasing the effectiveness and impact of their everyday governance.
Event registration closes at 10:00 am on the business day prior to the event.
New Laws Passed in 2023 Affecting Your School System: Implications & Opportunities (John Woolums)
Monday, May 15, 2023 ($75)
9:00 am - Noon
Maryland's 90-day legislative session moves quickly and features complex education funding and policy issues. It is challenging to keep up with the new laws enacted that impact local boards without legislative expertise in your corner. Here, MABE has you covered! This timely session will provide you and your board with all the latest legislative developments from Annapolis and prepare you to act on these new laws through local board policies, programs, and services.
Event registration closes at 10:00 am on the business day prior to the event.
Parliamentary Procedures: Maximizing the Benefits & Rewards (Debra Daniel)
RESCHEDULED to Wednesday, May 24, 2023 ($75)
9:00 am - Noon
Learn the best way to conduct your board meetings while still complying with Maryland law. If your board uses Robert's Rules of Order, this interactive and engaging session will provide you with a clear understanding of ways to use Parliamentary Procedure to make your board meetings more efficient and productive.
Event registration closes at 10:00 am on the business day prior to the event.
Ethics: What You Most Need to Know (Debra Daniel)
Wednesday, June 7, 2023 ($75)
9:00 am - Noon
Ask yourself this: Do you and your fellow board members always act ethically? There often is a fine line between good intentions and unethical behavior. During this useful workshop, you will learn needed information and context about Maryland's ethics laws; analyze related, real-life scenarios; and learn the consequences of failure to comply. You'll also learn what may be "bad behavior" versus actions constituting ethics violations per se. Given the importance of meeting ethics requirements, you'll want to be sure to attend this valuable training.
Event registration closes at 10:00 am on the business day prior to the event.
Boost Your Effective Board Governance with Stronger Board Self-Evaluations & Superintendent Evaluations (Molly Young)
RESCHEDULED to Wednesday, June 28, 2023 ($75)
9:00 am - Noon
Evaluations are essential tools to ensure effective board governance. Commitment to quality, excellence, continual learning, and local control of the educational system all are demonstrated when boards lead by example with thorough, well-thought-out evaluations. Board self-assessments provide more than just accountability and a framework for communication -- they lay the foundation for your board's continuous improvement. A quality superintendent evaluation system serves as a link between the board and the superintendent, clarifying expectations and establishing a means to provide professional feedback on performance. This session will walk you through how to establish an organized process for delivering the best possible evaluations to help strengthen your governance efforts.
Event registration closes at 10:00 am on the business day prior to the event.
Public Information Act (Debra Daniel)
Thursday, July 13, 2023 ($75)
9:00 am - Noon
The Public Information Act (PIA) grants the public the right to review public records and obtain copies of those records. However, some public records are confidential by law. So what do school board members need to know in order to meet the requirements of this law? Join us for an opportunity to learn more on this topic, ask questions, and understand the implications for your role as a school board member.
Event registration closes at 10:00 am on the business day prior to the event.
The Blueprint for Maryland's Future (John Woolums)
Thursday, July 27, 2023 ($75)
9:00 am - Noon
The Blueprint for Maryland's Future is a comprehensive set of mandated education funding and policy reforms impacting early education, college and career readiness standards, community schools, collective bargaining, career and technical education, state oversight, and more. Join fellow board members to learn more about statewide legislative and policy issues and to share insights on local implementation of the Blueprint.
Event registration closes at 10:00 am on the business day prior to the event.
Student New Board Member Orientation (MABE staff)
Thursday, August 3, 2023 ($75)
9:00 am - 4:00 pm (including lunch break)
Student board members have a unique opportunity to help shape the path of education on a local level and learn the basics of governance firsthand. Be sure to mark your calendars for MABE's popular Student New Board Member Orientation, which will help equip you to make the biggest helpful impact in your school system while forging valuable connections with other student board members. During your resource-filled day with MABE, you will learn the ins and outs of your important role, meet your peers from throughout Maryland, and engage in timely discussions from a trusted student perspective.
Event registration closes at 10:00 am on the business day prior to the event.
New Board Member Orientation (MABE staff)
Thursday, August 24, 2023 ($150)
9:00 am - 4:00 pm (including lunch break)
Congratulations! You've been elected or appointed to your local school board and may be wondering, "Now what?" This is a crucial area where MABE's expertise can help! You will learn the "ins and outs" of your important role; examine school law and policy that will impact your day-to-day work; learn about MABE's many practical resources that help you in your ongoing school board efforts; and meet other new board members facing many of the same challenges you're encountering. This one is a can't-miss!
Event registration closes at 10:00 am on the business day prior to the event.
"The Trust Edge" & Its Transformative Role for School Districts (Molly Young)
Wednesday, September 13, 2023 ($75)
9:00 am - Noon
Do you trust your fellow board members? Does your community trust its school board members? If the answer is "no" or even "maybe," you and your colleagues need to work to gain back trust! In this unique session, you will learn the Trust Edge 8-Pillar Framework as outlined in David Horsager's national best-seller, The Trust Edge, helping produce positive shifts in staff retention, student enrollment, student achievement, and support from your community.
Event registration closes at 10:00 am on the business day prior to the event.
MABE Annual Conference (MABE staff)
October 2-4, 2023
Join your fellow board members from across the state for two days of dynamic speakers, timely workshops, and active networking.
Registration details to be announced in early spring 2023.
Maryland School Law Deskbook: A Sneak Peek (Debra Daniel and John Woolums)
Tuesday, November 7, 2023 ($75)
9:00 am - Noon
The Maryland School Law Deskbook is the only education law reference of its kind in the state. Written by experienced education law attorneys, this comprehensive publication offers current and authoritative information on legal issues facing schools within the context of state and federal education law. Attend this training for a valuable sneak peek of the most up-to-date school laws. This training's straightforward question-and-answer format will provide concise and intuitive information for school principals, administrators, school board members, superintendents, education professionals and attorneys in Maryland. The training will cover relevant topics such as the State and Federal role in Education, School Facilities and Transportation, Employee Relations/Rights/Discipline/Dismissal, Tort/Liability/Insurance Issues, Student Discipline, and Public Charter Schools and Public School Alternatives. To be up to date regarding the laws affecting your role, this session is one you won't want to miss.
Event registration closes at 10:00 am on the business day prior to the event.
The Open Meetings Act: Understanding its Significance, Avoiding Penalties & Ensuring School Board Compliance (Debra Daniel) NOTE: This training has been canceled.
Thursday, December 7, 2023 ($75)
9:00 am - Noon
Maryland law now requires that at least one member of the board be designated to receive training on Maryland's Open Meetings Act, and we strongly recommend that all members be familiar with the Act. The Open Meetings Act is more complicated than just providing public notice of your meetings. This workshop will help you and your school board colleagues by providing an in-depth overview of the Act, and discussing some of the cases and complaints that have come before the Open Meetings Compliance Board. MABE is one of only three non-governmental entities permitted under Maryland law to provide this important training you won't want to miss.
Event registration closes at 10:00 am on the business day prior to the event.
The Budget Process: Make Sure You're Prepared! (Milton Nagel)
Monday, December 11, 2023
($75)
9:00 am - Noon
One of the most important and challenging functions of a school board involves school budget and finance. When districts are preparing their budgets, it is imperative for all members of the board of education to understand the budget process, know the school board's role in the process, and -- importantly -- know how to best communicate budget requests to their local appropriating body. You'll leave this practical session having gained helpful insights and how-tos about the budgeting process from MABE Executive Director Milton Nagel.
Event registration closes at 10:00 am on the business day prior to the event.
New Board Member Orientation (MABE staff)
Thursday, January 25, 2024 ($75) (Hybrid)
9:00 am - 3:00 pm (including 30- minute lunch break)
PLEASE NOTE: Lunch will be provided for those attending in-person.
Congratulations! You've been elected or appointed to your local school board and may be wondering, "Now what?" This is a crucial area where MABE's expertise can help! You will learn the "ins and outs" of your important role; examine school law and policy that will impact your day-to-day work; learn about MABE's many practical resources that help you in your ongoing school board efforts; and meet other new board members facing many of the same challenges you're encountering. This one is a can't-miss!
Event registration closes at 10:00 am on the business day prior to the event.