MABE Annual Conference
October 19-20, 2026
The Westin Annapolis
Please click here for registration and additional details.
Candidate Information Sessions
Is your board interested in cultivating the next generation of local leaders? Do you have a Board of Education election coming up? In support of our commitment to quality leadership for Maryland’s public schools, the Maryland Association of Boards of Education has developed a Candidate Information Session to help school and community leaders inform school board candidates. Held locally, these sessions provide candidates with information on the following topics:
- Overview of school boards and members
- Board member duties, roles, and responsibilities
- The Board – Superintendent Relationship
- Characteristics of effective board members
- Why board members serve
Please contact Molly Young to schedule a session in your district.
MABE Professional Development
MABE is glad to offer a variety of trainings free of charge for all school board members :
- On-Demand Flash Video Trainings
- In-Person Trainings
- Live Online Trainings
- Live In-Person Regional Meetings
- Online Leadership Trainings
Registration links will be provided closer to each training below where not already indicated, and we will share individual training details with board members through additional messages.
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, MABE Director of Board Development.
ON-DEMAND FLASH VIDEO TRAININGS
In response to member requests, MABE offers “flash videos" which consist of shorter video trainings on key topics. These abbreviated yet information-filled video trainings are meant to fit well in school board members’ busy schedules and to be viewed at times most convenient. Video training URLs will be added as each Flash Video Training is produced.
Strategic Planning (Molly Young)
A well-crafted strategic plan is school board members' roadmap to success. In this session, MABE Director of Board Development Molly Young covers for Maryland local school board members why strategic planning is important, the strategic planning process, and how to use the strategic plan in board work.
Parliamentary Procedure (Sam Mathias)
This brief video, presented by MABE Deputy Director of Association Programs Sam Mathias, provides a high-level primer of parliamentary procedure and how it is a useful tool to help run effective, fair, and professional board meetings. Good board processes support better outcomes for students. This video walks through how Maryland local school boards can use procedure to run meetings and build trust, stay focused on student success, and how procedure supports governing with transparency and integrity.
Superintendent Evaluations (Molly Young)
The evaluation of your district’s superintendent isn’t just a procedural formality —it's a powerful tool for setting goals, building trust, and ensuring accountability for student achievement. Let's talk about how to do this well!
Board Self Evaluations (Molly Young)
MABE's "Board Self Evaluations" Flash Training dives into a simple and powerful tool for improving how school boards lead — a board self evaluation. They're not about judgement; they're about growth. Join MABE Board Development Director Molly Young who will share how, when done well, board self evaluations can make a real difference in how a board serves its schools and community.
Key Work of School Boards: Vision (Molly Young)
This video highlights part of the key work of school boards: visioning. A clear vision sets direction for student success and community growth. Focusing on vision empowers a board to lead with purpose and help prepare students for a changing world.
Key Work of School Boards: Accountability (Molly Young)
Accountability in the context of school board governance is not just test scores and budget audits. It's how the Board ensures that promises made to students, families and the community actually translate to results. Tune in to learn more helpful context from MABE Board Development Director Molly Young.
Key Work of School Boards: Community Leadership and Engagement (Molly Young)
A Board of Education's role in Community Leadership and Engagement emphasizes the vital connection between school boards, the communities they serve, and the shared responsibility for student success. In this flash training, Molly Young, MABE's Board Development Director, discusses how to engage and lead a community well.
Key Work of School Boards: Policy (Molly Young)
Why does policy matter? Policy is key in that it's how a board translates vision into direction. It's how values become expectations. And it's how governance becomes real. In this video, "From Vision to Action: Governing Through Policy," MABE Board Development Director Molly Young shares an informative policy-focused overview.
Key Work of School Boards: Relationships (Molly Young)
School board leadership is not just about policies, votes, or procedures — it’s about people working together toward a shared purpose. MABE will walk you through NSBA's Key Work of School Boards relationship element to help you focus on the things that matter at your board seat.
Student Candidate Information Session Prior to SMOB Elections (Molly Young)
Student Board Member Roles & Responsibilities: A Student's Seat at the Board Table.
IN-PERSON TRAININGS
Several times each year, MABE is glad to offer workshops geared toward providing an opportunity for members to get together, network, and learn more in-depth information about timely topics.
Student New Board Member Orientation (MABE Staff)
Thursday, August 6, 2026
9:30 am – 4:00 pm
Student School Board Members have a unique opportunity to help shape the path of education on a local level and learn the basics of governance firsthand. MABE’s Student New Board Orientation will help equip you to make the biggest helpful impact in your school system, while helping you forge 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.
New Adult School Board Member Orientation (MABE Staff)
(Details to be announced)
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! At this in-person orientation, you will learn the vital “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. Lunch will be provided. This one is a can’t-miss!
MABE Annual Conference
Live Online Trainings
Each year, MABE provides virtual trainings to allow members to network with one another, ask questions, and learn more in depth about specific topics from the comfort of their own spaces. We hope you can join us for these informative gatherings. We will add details about additional trainings as they become available.
The Open Meetings Act (Sam Mathias)
Friday, January 9, 2026
10:00 am – 12:30 pm
Maryland’s 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 Maryland's Open Meetings Act, and will include discussing some of the cases and complaints that have come before the Open Meetings Compliance Board. Maryland law now requires that at least one member of the Board be designated to receive training on the Open Meetings Act, and it is highly recommended that all members be familiar with the Act. MABE is one of only a few non-governmental entities that are allowed, under Maryland law, to provide this important training.
The Importance of Information Technology Security in the Education Sector (Alliance InfoSystems)
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
9:00 – 10:00 am
The education sector faced more cyberattacks in 2025 than nearly any other field. MABE invites you to join our free, virtual Board Service Academy session on Jan. 14 to get up to speed on today's threat landscape, why strong data security is essential, and the challenges and emerging risks school systems must be prepared to address.
In our Jan. 14 session, experts from Alliance InfoSystems will highlight key areas for improvement, and outline practical steps LEAs can take now to strengthen defenses and reduce vulnerabilities.
Presenters:
Swadesh Guchhait; Founder & CEO, Alliance InfoSystems
Tom McCadden; Executive VP & Chief Technology Officer, Alliance InfoSystems
Boost Your Effective Governance With Stronger Board Self-Evaluations & Superintendent Evaluations (Molly Young)
Monday, April 20, 2026
9:30 am – Noon
Evaluations are essential tools to ensure effective Board Governance. Commitment to quality, excellence, continuous 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 that strengthen your governance efforts.
New Laws Passed in 2026 Affecting Your School System: Implications & Opportunities (Sam Mathias and Jessica Goff)
Friday, June 5, 2026
9:30 – 11:00 am
Legislative sessions move quickly and can be complicated. It can be difficult to keep up with decisions that impact local boards without legislative expertise in your corner. Here, MABE has you covered! This helpful session will provide you and your Board with all the latest legislative developments from Annapolis you need to have on your radar and prepare you to act on these new laws through local board policies, programs, and services.
Building the Roadmap: Strategic Planning for Boards of Education (Molly Young)
Monday, July 13, 2026
9:30 am – Noon
This training equips school board members with the knowledge and tools to lead effective, future-focused strategic planning. Participants learn how to set clear priorities, align goals with community values, and use data to guide decision-making. The session emphasizes collaboration, accountability, and practical strategies to turn vision into measurable results.
Ethics (Sam Mathias)
Friday, September 18, 2026
9:30 – Noon
Ask yourself this: Do you and your fellow board members always act ethically? There is often 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 for failure to comply. You’ll also learn what does NOT constitute an ethics violation, but is instead bad behavior. Given the importance of meeting ethics requirements, you’ll want to be sure to attend.
Procurement Essentials for Board Members (Sam Mathias)
Tuesday, September 29, 2026
10:00 am – Noon
VIRTUAL
Procurement is a critical area for school board members and good governance: it is key to financial stewardship, operational efficiency, and risk management. MABE is pleased to offer this brand-new training, the first of its kind in Maryland designed specifically for board members, and developed in partnership with procurement experts who bring years of experience across small, medium, and large school systems. Topics will include why we have procurement laws and rules, key legal and regulatory requirements, the appeal process, audit findings, ethics and confidentiality agreements, cooperative purchasing, and more. The training offers value for established and newer board members alike. We hope to see you virtually on Sept. 29!
Boosting Your Impact Through More Effective Board Teamwork (Molly Young)
Thursday, December 3, 2026
9:30 – Noon
Every board member brings a unique set of skills, experiences, and personalities to the table. But coming together as a functional, productive board doesn't happen automatically, and related delays can stall goal achievement. In this useful workshop, you will learn the characteristics of an impactful board and how to use this awareness to build teamwork, develop needed communication skills, and handle conflict.
LIVE, IN-PERSON REGIONAL MEETINGS & TRAININGS
Candidate Information Sessions for School Board Candidates
Is your school board interested in cultivating the next generation of local leaders? Do you have a Board of Education election coming up?
In support of our commitment to quality leadership for Maryland's public schools, MABE has developed a Candidate Information Session to help school and community leaders inform school board candidates. Held locally, these sessions provide candidates with information on the following topics:
- Overview of School Boards and members
- Board member duties, roles, and responsibilities
- The Board - Superintendent relationship
- Characteristics of effective school board members
- Why board members serve
Interested in scheduling a Candidate Information Session? Please contact Molly Young for further details.
LEADERSHIP ONLINE TRAININGS: BOARD LEADERSHIP, 3-PART TRAINING
MABE will provide a leadership series consisting of three trainings for our members interested in pursuing or learning more about leadership positions on your respective board, and how to be successful in these roles. Each session will focus on different overarching themes, with specific leadership skills. Please see details below. We recommend members commit to attending all three sessions if possible.
TRAINING #1: Forming Effective Governance Teams (Molly Young)
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
VIRTUAL Training
9:00 am - Noon
Focusing on topics such as:
- Leadership Skills
- Conflict Resolution
- Relationship with the Superintendent
- Communicating with the Public
TRAINING #2: Conducting Meaningful Meetings
Monday, May 4, 2026
VIRTUAL Training
9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Focusing on topics such as:
- Parliamentary Procedure (Sam Mathias)
- Agenda Setting (Molly Young)
- Connecting the Dots to Strategic Plan (Molly Young)
- Facilitating Conversations at the Board Table (Molly Young)
TRAINING #3: Fulfilling Governance Responsibilities
Monday, August 10, 2026
VIRTUAL Training
9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Focusing on topics such as:
- Strategic Planning (Molly Young)
- Policy Making (Sam Mathias, Jessica Goff, Nakayla Addison)
- Superintendent Hiring, Firing and Evaluation (Molly Young, Sam Mathias)
- Budget Process