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
Partnership 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 SPEAKER
Superintendent Jennifer Norrell
Norrell joined Homewood-Flossmoor Community High School District as Superintendent July 1, 2025. She previously served for 7 years as superintendent for East Aurora School District. Leader of the 12th largest school district in Illinois, with a $300M annual budget and 2,000 employees, she was the first female superintendent in 180 years in the State of Illinois’ oldest school district. Norrell was also the first African American female superintendent in Kane County and was named as a regional Superintendent of the Year for Illinois. In that role she was credited for Pre-K– 12th grade equity-focused work in implementing the only districtwide K-5th grade dual language program in Illinois.
Throughout her nearly 30 years, Dr. Norrell has served in many roles including teacher, school leader and district leader for Pre-K–12th grade schools. She also served in Illinois overseeing underperforming districts across the state through a partnership with the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). Norrell also served many years as university faculty and leadership consultant. She supported improvement efforts and mentored educators for districts including Atlanta Public Schools, Chicago Public Schools, Dallas Independent School District and Indianapolis Public Schools. She also has presented at numerous State and national, conferences including the American Educational Research Association (AERA), American Association for School Administrators (AASA), Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA), College Board Forum, Colloquium, AP Conferences and the National Association of Financial Aid Administrators (NAFSA). In 2025, Dr. Norrell was honored by EdWeek as a Leader to Learn From, recognized for impact through increasing rigorous coursework for underrepresented students including Advanced Placement and Early College. In April 2024, the DuPage County NAACP honored Dr. Norrell with the Transformative Leader in Education Award for her “Persistence and dedication to enhance systems of equity to benefit all children. In 2023, Norrell was honored as the Aurora African American Leader of the Year and was a Chicago Defender Women of Excellence Honoree in 2021. National recognition for service includes; College Board Superintendent’s Council, Education Research and Development Institute (ERDI), and Midwest Suburban Superintendent’s Association (MSSA). Dr. Norrell was also elected nationally and is currently serving as a Trustee for the College Board for a four-year term. Jennifer earned a B.S. in Biology from Hampton University, a M.A. Ed. from Saint Xavier University, and Ed.D. from Loyola University Chicago. Dr. Norrell was born and raised in the south suburbs of Chicago where she resides now with her family.
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
8:45 - 9:15 Welcome
9:15 - 10:45 Keynote and Roundtable: The Power of Partnership
10:45 - 11:15 Break
11:15 - 12:30 Partnership Workshops - Round 1
12:30 - 1:25 Networking Lunch
1:30 - 2:00 Sponsor Workshops
2:05 - 3:20 Partnership 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!
PARTNERSHIP 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.
Leading Through Crisis: Communication, Trust, and Team Resilience
In moments of crisis, the strength of the board-superintendent partnership is put to the test. This session features real-world case examples and a panel of board chair–superintendent teams sharing lessons learned from navigating challenging situations—from controversial policy decisions to community conflict. Particip ants will learn who should speak and when, how to ensure alignment under pressure, and what happens when trust within the team breaks down. Moderated by a communications expert, this workshop will offer practical guidance to help teams prepare, respond, and emerge stronger.
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