California School Boards Association

The March edition of California School News includes details on CSBA co-sponsored legislation to support education workforce housing as well as the latest on efforts to renew the Secure Rural Schools Act and a message from CSBA President Bettye Lusk on the importance of ethics. Also covered is the launch of CSBA’s first Delegate Assembly Governance Review Committee, updates to policies on cellphones in schools, a summary of the CTC’s annual teacher supply report, a recap of CSBA’s webinar on ethical AI integration, a look into San Diego County Office of Education’s Cybersecurity Bootcamp Program and more. Read it now:

Student board members: CSBA has two opportunities for you to advance your expertise this spring! Registration is open for the Advancing Budget Priorities and Advocacy course on April 7 as well as Legacy and Transition Planning for Policy Initiatives on April 28. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/g2WfhcBh

CSBA’s virtual Legislative Action Week wraps up today. District and county office of education leaders from across California showed up in droves to take advantage of this important opportunity to bring critical educational issues directly to their representatives. Attendees met with the assemblymembers, senators and staff who represent their local educational agency and shine a light on the most pressing budget and legislative issues facing their schools and students, including support for Prop 98, education workforce housing, the state's teacher shortage, the electric school bus mandate and more. Thank you to all of the legislators and their staff who showed up for public education!

Last week, CSBA President Bettye Lusk visited Orcutt Union School District's Orcutt Academy High School to meet with local leadership and tour facilities, including the robotics classroom, cafeteria and gym. Thank you for your hospitality!

CSBA's virtual #legactionweek kicked off today, allowing trustees from across California to engage with their state lawmakers and staff and advocate for the needs of students without making a trip to the Capitol. CSBA staff has set up meetings and provided training so that district and COE leaders don't have to incur travel costs or battle traffic, allowing them to spend their time focused on their community's needs.

The new edition of California Schools shines light on an issue every education leader should be aware of — human trafficking — and the role of schools in prevention; checks in on how California’s ban on suspension for willful defiance is being implemented and examines some best practices; and delves into the state of school sports, including new additions like girls flag football. The magazine also features an in-depth interview with CSBA President Dr. Bettye Lusk, a column on the unacceptable decades-long achievement gap by CEO & Executive Director Vernon M. Billy, a roundup of U.S. Supreme Court cases that may affect education and more. Read it now:

March is National Ethics Awareness Month — the perfect time for trustees to plan to fulfill the ethics training required by AB 2158. Under the legislation, members of school district and COE governing boards who were serving as of Jan. 1, 2025, must complete ethics training by Jan. 1, 2026, and every two years thereafter (unless their term ends prior to 2026). CSBA’s Ethics Assembly Bill 2158 course, which provides a certificate of completion to participants, offers a comprehensive overview of the conflict-of-interest laws applicable to trustees, including hypothetical situations for deeper learning experiences and resources for additional knowledge. View upcoming virtual and in-person dates: csba.org/ethicstraining

The California State Board of Education took up a short but dense agenda during its March 5 meeting that saw action on items related to Student Score Reports, the California School Dashboard Science Indicator and its potential use for accountability. Read CSBA's full meeting recap: https://lnkd.in/gh9r6sBH

As a trustee for Herber ESD, Tony Sandoval's goal is to be a voice for students, teachers and staff. He strives to be " somebody who has those connections and those bonds with our students and somebody that's not afraid to use their voice to speak out."

The 2025 CSBA County Board Governance Workshop happening April 11-12 in Sacramento is a can’t miss opportunity designed to empower, educate and inspire county board members and superintendents — but don’t take our word for it! For Shasta County Office of Education Board President Robert Brown, networking with trustees from across the state who are in the same boat is just as vital to the event. This interactive workshop will provide attendees an up-to-the-minute analysis of the state budget from a county perspective, discuss legislative issues that directly impact county boards, engage with key state policymakers and learn critical advocacy strategies.This year's workshop will also include special guest speakers and an informative session to help attendees deepen their understanding of how the CCEE's Community Engagement Initiative can accelerate academic performance and close achievement gaps for students. Register now at csba.org/countyworkshop