2024 ISBC Symposium sponsored by ISBC
Wednesday, March 27 - 9:30 am - 4:30 pm
Thursday, March 28 - 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
Update! This symposium will be a Zoom event only. In-person has been canceled.
Zoom link will be emailed the day prior to the event
Wednesday, March 27
9:30 am: Check In
10:00 – 11:00 am: Welcome by ISBC Officers
Session 1
Board Governance 101
Tony Koenig, Director of Policy Services, Senior Counsel
Being elected to a school board is often compared to drinking from a firehose. Once elected, you are responsible not only for yourself and your kids, but also for each and every student in your community. Being a good board member who is able to learn about school issues and make decisions based on the best interests of students can be easier said than done. This session will discuss your obligations, duties, and responsibilities as a trustee and best practices to ensure effective and productive school board governance.
11:00 am – Noon
Session 2
Open Meeting Law & Public Engagement
Kris Goss, Director of Legal and Senior Counsel
Understanding Montana’s open meeting laws can be confusing and overwhelming. Montana law includes minimum requirements for public comment; however, engaging in robust and strategic public engagement and communications creates an opportunity to develop community buy-in and trust. This session will discuss the requirements of open meeting law and strategies and best practices to improve communication and engagement with your school community and beyond.
Noon – 1:00 pm: Lunch provided by ISBC.
1:00 – 2:00 pm: Session 3
Fulfilling Indian Education for All
Mike Jetty, Office of Public Instruction Indian Education Specialist
2:00 – 3:00 pm: Session 4
Expanding Post-Secondary Opportunities for Students
Donnie Wetzel, Tribal Liaison, Montana Department of Labor and Industry
3:00 – 4:30 pm: Session 5
Trauma-Informed Support for Students & Families
Holly Mook, Pure View Behavioral Health Therapist, Licensed Addition Counselor & Social Worker License Candidate
Marty Verrill (Helena High School) and Kate Bodman (CR Anderson Middle School), Partner Therapists, Helena Indian Alliance Leo Pocha Memorial Clinic
Thursday, March 28
8:30 am: Check In
9:00 – 11:00 am: Session 6
Collective Bargaining with Impact Aid
Presentation & Round Table
Andy Sever, MTSBA Director of Labor Relations
How do we recruit and retain teachers while ensuring accountability and pathways for professional development to improve student outcomes? How does Impact Aid impact these issues? This session will include a presentation about collective bargaining issues, including salary, drug testing, leave, and signing bonuses, among other topics. We will then engage in small and round table discussions about what is working and not working in individual school districts.
11:00 am – 12:00 pm: Session 7
School-Based Health Initiative
Kelsey Gummer, Senior Program Officer, Montana Hospital Association
12:00 – 12:15 pm: Closing by ISBC Officers
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Disclaimer: Montana School Boards Association (MTSBA) has designed these materials to provide helpful information regarding topics and best practices on issues concerning the administration and governance of Montana K-12 public schools. These materials are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. MTSBA does not intend nor should these materials be construed to constitute the rendering of any legal advice. Should the recipient of these materials desire legal advice on any of the topics or information contained herein, MTSBA recommends that the recipient make a specific request for legal advice.