Out of an abundance of caution and with the health and safety of members in mind, CSBA announced on Aug. 11 that the 2020 Annual Education Conference will be held in a virtual format. By making this transition now, CSBA is able to focus all resources on creating the exciting, engaging and high-quality conference experience that members have come to expect.

CSBA’s 2020 AEC will be an entirely virtual experience that gives attendees access to critical expertise and perspective from the comfort of their home or office. The virtual conference will take place from Thursday, Dec. 3 to Friday, Dec. 4. The virtual platform allows for more flexibility for preconference activities, which will take place over three days — rather than the traditional one day before conference — from Monday, Nov. 30 to Wednesday, Dec. 2. This new schedule provides members with the flexibility to attend more than one preconference activity.

“Board members are now, more than ever, making some of the most important decisions that will truly impact the lives of students and communities across the state,” said CSBA CEO & Executive Director Vernon M. Billy. “Much like the majority of districts continuing to educate students through distance learning, CSBA will not let the shift from an in-person conference to a virtual gathering inhibit our members’ access to the insights and expertise of some of California’s most knowledgeable board members, national speakers, school practitioners and political insiders.”

Virtual AEC will feature three dynamic General Session speakers: Leslie Odom Jr., multifaceted Tony and Grammy Award-winning performer; Jason Dorsey, president of the Center for Generational Kinetics; and Hadi Partovi, CEO of the education nonprofit Code.org, tech entrepreneur and investor.

With over 40 individual breakouts, there will be many sessions to choose from — all of which are presented by fellow board members and other education experts. As in previous years, nearly every AEC session panel includes one or more school district or county office governing board member or superintendent, ensuring that the information presented is relevant and aligned to the specifics of serving as a member of a governance team. Sessions will address a plethora of pressing education issues, including those related to the COVID-19 response in the areas of budget management, special education, distance learning, equity, student mental and social-emotional health, legal issues, advocacy and much more.

The conference will include new and fun opportunities for CSBA members to network and connect virtually with fellow board members, superintendents and other education advocates using the new virtual platform. As an added bonus, the virtual format will enable CSBA to transfer all sessions to the Online Learning Center, where attendees will have access to any session they missed in early 2021.

“The conference planning committee is dedicated to bringing CSBA members the quality conference they know and love — virtually,” said AEC Planning Committee Chair Valerie Cuevas of West Contra Costa Unified School District. “We are excited for members to experience the new opportunities for connection and learning that a virtual platform will enable.”