Annual Conference

VSBA/VSA Annual Conference

Doubletree by Hilton | Burlington, VT

Board Officer/Superintendent Training & Banquet

October 30

Annual Conference

October 29

Pre-Conference Workshop

Join us in Burlington for the Annual VSBA/VSA Conference where the theme will be Leading Through Change: Clarity, Courage, and Community.

Vermont's school boards and superintendents are leading through one of the most significant periods of change in public education. As districts navigate evolving policies, financial realities, and community expectations, effective leadership requires clarity, collaboration, and a steadfast focus on students.

Join colleagues from across Vermont for learning, practical strategies, and meaningful conversation designed to strengthen governance and leadership.

Conference highlights include:

Keynote: Matt Lehrman – From Conflict to Conversation
Practical workshops on governance, school finance, and community engagement
Leadership sessions on data-informed decision-making and long-range facilities planning
Networking with school board members, superintendents, and education leaders from across Vermont

Whether you're making decisions today or planning for tomorrow, you'll leave with new ideas, practical tools, and stronger connections to help lead your district with confidence.

Thursday, October 29

3:00 - 8:00 pm

Pre-conference Workshop:

Leading Through Change:

Governance Leadership in a Time of Transformation

This session will help board-superintendent teams assess and strengthen their working relationship — especially the communication norms, role clarity, and trust-building practices that become critical under stress. Practical and reflective; could include a short team self-assessment tool.

Banquet Dinner

President's Welcome and Remarks

Student Presentations

Evening Trivia Social

NOTE: This training is for Board Officers and Superintendents

Friday, October 30

8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Keynote

From Conflict to Conversation

Presenter: Matt Lehrman

Leadership Learning Sessions On:

Better Board Communication
Budget And Finance
Facilities Planning
Data-Informed Decision Making
Community Engagement

Sponsor Workshops

Registration will open on August 17th

Agenda

AGENDA

Thursday, October 29, 2026

3:00 - 5:30

Pre-Conference Workshop: Leading Through Change: Governance Leadership in a Time of Transformation

5:30 - 6:30

Networking Reception

6:30 - 8:00

Banquet Dinner and Student Performances

8:00

Evening Trivia Social

Friday, October 30, 2026

7:30 - 8:45

Registration & Continental Breakfast

8:00 - 8:15

VSBIT Annual Meeting

8:15 - 8:30

VEHI Annual Meeting

8:45 - 9:30

Welcome

9:30 - 11:00

Keynote: Matt Lehrman – From Conflict to Conversation

11:00 - 11:15

Networking Break/Visit Sponsors

11:20 - 11:35

Leadership Learning Sessions Round 1

12:40 - 1:30

Regional Lunch and Award Presentations

1:40 - 2:10

Sponsor Learning Sessions

2:15 - 3:30

Leadership Learning Sessions Round 2

3:40 - 4:00

Closing Reflections and Sponsor Raffle

Pre-Conference

PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP

Leading Through Change:

Governance Leadership in a Time of Transformation

Vermont's educational leaders are balancing the responsibilities of today with significant questions about the future. As districts continue to focus on student outcomes, fiscal stewardship, and community trust, they are also being asked to navigate merger studies, regional collaboration, and broader education transformation efforts.

This interactive workshop will explore how the principles and practices of effective governance can help leaders navigate uncertainty, build trust, communicate clearly, and make sound decisions in a rapidly evolving policy environment.

Vermont law requires the chair of each school board, the chair of each supervisory union board, and the superintendent to jointly participate in at least eight hours of annual professional training (16 V.S.A. § 561(b)). Joint attendance at the VSBA/VSA Annual Conference and Pre-Conference Workshop satisfies the full eight-hour annual training requirement.

Keynote

KEYNOTE

From Conflict to Conversation

What do you do when emotions are running high, opinions are deeply divided, and every option seems certain to disappoint someone? The answer is not to eliminate disagreement. The answer is to lead through it.

In this engaging and practical keynote, civic facilitator Matt Lehrman shares strategies for helping people feel heard, engaging competing perspectives, and creating productive dialogue around complex and contentious issues. You'll gain practical tools to strengthen trust, improve decision-making, and help your community move forward together.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Matt Lehrman

Matt Lehrman is a civic facilitator and Managing Director of Social Prosperity Partners. He helps public leaders and governing bodies navigate complexity, engage competing perspectives, and make difficult decisions in ways that strengthen trust and community. Drawing on years of experience in facilitation, public engagement, and leadership development, he works with communities across the country to turn disagreement into dialogue and shared challenges into opportunities for progress.

Workshops