VSBA/VSA Annual Conference
Doubletree by Hilton Burlington, VT
October 29
Board Officer/Superintendent Training & Banquet
October 30
Annual Conference
Join us in Burlington for the Annual VSBA/VSA Fall Conference where the theme will be Partnership in Action: Leading as One Governance Team.
In today’s evolving educational environment, effective school leadership depends on a strong, united partnership between the school board and superintendent. By working collaboratively as a single governance team—with clear roles, shared goals, and mutual trust and accountability—boards and superintendents can make informed, student-centered decisions that strengthen the district. This approach emphasizes alignment, transparency, and collective responsibility, ensuring that leadership remains focused, resilient, and responsive to the needs of students and the broader community.
Wednesday, October 29
3:00 - 8:00 pm
Pre-conference Workshop:
Great Boards, The Time Is Now
Presenter: Dr. James “Marty” Schafer
The future of Public Education is in the balance and the weight of its success falls largely on the school board and superintendent relationship. In fact, we may be in one of the most challenging times to be in education - either as a student, parent, educator, board member or superintendent. Step back and take an assessment of the current landscape impacting your students, staff and community. School districts are facing the residual impacts of a global pandemic, financial uncertainties, societal unrest, the advent of Artificial Intelligence and political polarization. Again, not an assignment for the faint of heart. Building a cohesive team between the superintendent and the board is the first step toward creating an innovative board that can bring much needed leadership and solutions that set up our students for success. The session will be focused on the most important things Great Boards must get right.
Banquet Dinner
President's Welcome and Remarks
Student Presentations
Thursday, October 30
8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Keynote and Roundtable
The Power of Partnership
Presenters: Superintendent Jennifer Norrell
and Board Member Kimberly Hatchett
Governance Team Workshops
Mutual Accountability in Action:
Building a Continuous Improvement Cycle
Centering Student Voice: Elevating Student Representatives as Governance Partners
Leading Through Crisis: Communication, Trust, and Team Resilience
Trust, the Foremost Factor
Sponsor Workshops
GREAT BOARDS WORKSHOP SPEAKER
Dr. Marty Schafer
Dr. James “Marty” Schafer is a seasoned leader and consultant who specializes in building strong, collaborative teams at the school board, superintendent, and district levels. With diverse and extensive experience in education, nonprofit work, military/government relations, and leadership development, Marty created the Great Boards framework to help boards and leaders navigate today’s complex challenges. A former school board member for 18 years in Washington State, during which he served as board president, Marty helped lead his district to multiple statewide honors. He has worked with education leaders across the U.S. and Canada and brings a global perspective through his leadership work with diverse communities, including Indigenous groups and international schools. Marty continues to coach leaders and build community partnerships, always focused on his core belief that connected leadership drives effective change.
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Superintendent Jennifer Norrell
Dr. Jennifer Norrell became Superintendent of Homewood-Flossmoor Community High School District in July 2025 after serving seven years as superintendent of East Aurora School District, the 12th largest in Illinois with a $300M annual budget and 2,000 employees. She made history as the first female superintendent in the district’s 180-year history and the first African American female superintendent in Kane County. Recognized as a regional Superintendent of the Year, she was honored nationally by Education Week as a “Leader to Learn From” for her equity-driven work, including Illinois’ only districtwide K–5 dual language program. Over her nearly 30-year career, she has been a teacher, leader, consultant, and mentor, supporting schools across Illinois and the nation. Dr. Norrell has also been widely recognized for her advocacy in expanding rigorous coursework and creating more equitable opportunities for students.
Kim Hatchett
Kim Hatchett was elected to the East Aurora School District 131 board in May 2015, she served as Board Secretary and Chair of the Curriculum Committee. During her tenure, she played a pivotal role in implementing a standardized curriculum, leading the hiring process for interim and permanent superintendents, and supporting key district initiatives. In her second term, with the district stabilized and a new superintendent in place, Kim and the board shifted their focus to student achievement. She championed a new strategic vision and mission centered on three core principles: 1) Quality Education - emphasizing improvements in reading, math, and attendance; 2) Fiscal Responsibility - ensuring efficient use of taxpayer dollars and a balanced budget; and 3) Board Accountability - establishing metrics to keep the board and community informed about student progress and success. Through her leadership, Kim fostered alignment among parents, teachers, administrators, and taxpayers, uniting them in the shared goal of securing bright futures for students and strengthening the community.
Draft Agenda
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
3:00 - 5:30 Great Boards Workshop for School Board Officers and Superintendents
6:30 - 8:00 Banquet Dinner
Thursday, October 30, 2025
7:30 - 9:00 Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:00 - 8:15 VSBIT Meeting
8:15 - 8:30 VEHI Meeting
8:45 - 9:15 Welcome
9:15 - 10:45 Keynote and Roundtable: The Power of Partnership
10:45 - 11:15 Break
11:15 - 12:30 Governance Team Workshops - Round 1
12:30 - 1:25 Networking Lunch
1:30 - 2:00 Sponsor Workshops
2:05 - 3:20 Governance Team Workshops - Round 2
3:30 - 4:00 Wrap Up and Sponsor Raffle Drawing
KEYNOTE
Morning Keynote and Roundtable: The Power of Partnership
with Superintendent Jennifer Norrell and Board Member Kimberly Hatchett
More information coming soon!
GOVERNANCE TEAM WORKSHOPS
All Workshops will be held at 11:15 am and repeated at 2:05 pm
Mutual Accountability in Action: Building a Continuous Improvement Cycle
A high-functioning governance team thrives on shared commitment to continuous improvement—and that means everyone, from board members to superintendents, is accountable within their distinct roles. This session will explore key structures and tools that drive mutual accountability, including strategic planning, board goal-setting, self-assessment, and superintendent evaluation. Participants will learn how to align these processes to reinforce shared goals and foster a culture of transparency, responsiveness, and growth.
Centering Student Voice: Elevating Student Representatives as Governance Partners
Student representatives bring critical insight and lived experience to boardrooms—but only when their voices are heard and valued. This workshop will offer concrete strategies for authentically integrating students into the governance process. Explore how boards and superintendents can jointly create conditions for student members to contribute meaningfully—not symbolically—to decision-making, and how to foster a culture where youth voice informs leadership and policy in a lasting way.
Step Up to Conflict
The Step Up to Conflict workshop helps participants build essential conflict management skills to turn disagreements into opportunities for creativity and innovation. Grounded in the belief that conflict is inevitable but can be constructive when handled effectively, this session teaches participants to identify conflict triggers, understand differing perspectives, and apply practical strategies for resolution. This workshop is ideal for individuals and teams looking to enhance collaboration, communication, and productivity.
NOTE: This Step Up to Conflict workshop will be delivered in two parts during both the morning and afternoon workshop sessions. Attendance at both sessions is required, as is pre-registration for it. If interested in this 2-part workshop, please register for it here.
Trust, the Foremost Factor
One of the most important roles of a board member is to increase community confidence in the district. This session will reinforce the truth that as the board grows in trust with each other and with the superintendent, the community will grow in their trust of the district. Board leaders require training in board and district requirements to direct district growth and community confidence; however, professional development directed at leadership to build a cohesive team is also vital. The same is true for superintendents who must manage a district in one of the most complex seasons of public education, while often working with new board members who may not yet understand the dynamics of serving on a governance board. Successful boards are cohesive teams who understand the complex and holistic needs of the students in their communities. Learn about strategies for strengthening the relationship between the board and superintendent, as well as the district and the community.
SPONSOR WORKSHOPS
SPONSOR WORKSHOP INFORMATION COMING SOON