The California County Boards of Education’s 2021 conference planning committee, chaired by President-elect Joe Ross from the San Mateo County Office of Education, held its first meeting Feb. 9. After reviewing the positive reviews and feedback from CCBE’s first-ever all-virtual conference in 2020, the committee decided it was unlikely the COVID-19 situation would allow for a return to a fully in-person event by the conference dates of Sept. 10–12. Instead, the committee is planning a hybrid conference with the possibility that it may later need to pivot to an all-virtual model. If in-person attendance is possible, the conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency in Monterey.

New this year will be a workshop strand on computer science and digital learning. The six other workshop strands are: Advocacy, engagement and community relations; Equity, access and accountability; Funding, finance and facilities; Leadership through governance; COE best practices for special education, community schools, adult education, CTE and other programs; and Wellness and safety, the whole child and school climate.

County board members and superintendents should receive an email in March asking for conference workshop proposals. The committee is also working to identify keynote speakers on the topics of equity and race, and student mental health. Suggestions for compelling speakers can be sent to CCBE Program Manager Charlyn Tuter at ctuter@csba.org.