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PSBA’s Professional Development team provides dynamic training and resources to help navigate the requirements and challenges of board service. They facilitate an array of engaging learning experiences and are an approved provider of required school director training. 

• PSBA is the ONLY statewide approved provider of school director training 
• Online learning options were recently enhanced with more than 50 microcourses and 7 microcredentials  

Following a nonpartisan legislative platform established by members, PSBA’s Government Affairs team advances public education and works with policymakers to craft legislation. They help you foster ongoing relationships with your legislators for the benefit of your schools and community, through advocacy opportunities and events. 

• During the last legislative session, PSBA weighed in on all of the bills considered for action by the House or Senate Education committees.  
• Five bills were introduced on our behalf.  
• PSBA’s influential State of Education report was referenced in both Basic Education Funding Commission reports during the last legislative session.  

PSBA provides participating members with professionally written and legally referenced policies managed through a web-based policy system. PSBA also offers Administrative Regulation Services designed to implement board policies. The end result is time and cost savings for subscribers. 

• During the last year, more than 9,000 policies were processed through PSBA’s Policy Services, which continues to have almost 100%-member participation. 

PSBA’s legal staff helps your board and local counsel understand and comply with the PA Public School Code, upholds the interests of public education through judicial advocacy, and provides timely school law updates to you and your district’s counsel through communications and events. 

• In addition to providing testimony and friend-of-the-court briefs, legal staff responded to about 1,800 member inquiries in the past year.  
• PSBA offers the School Law Handbook and the Sunshine Act guide, both recently updated, as valuable resources for solicitors and school board directors.  

PSBA offers a broad range of board services so students can remain your primary focus, including board self-assessments, communications support, HR services and more. PSBA’s comprehensive HR services include job vacancy postings, compensation studies, job description development services, executive and superintendent search services, staffing studies, and superintendent evaluations. 

• PSBA’s superintendent search service is a flat fee no matter the duration. Should your selected candidate leave for any reason within the first 12 months, we conduct the search again for 25% of the original fee.  
• PSBA members have access to 24/7 communications support through a partnership with The Communication Solutions Group.  

PSBA supports members with an array of newsletters, video programs and other communication channels, which provide vital and timely information on topics affecting public education. Members also have access to a variety of live education and networking events throughout the year. 

• Hundreds of members interact with legislators annually at PSBA’s Advocacy Day.  
• PSBA’s annual conference is the largest gathering of school board directors in the state and includes two national keynotes and 35+ education sessions.  

PSBA Insurance offers specialized products designed to address the needs and concerns of Pennsylvania public schools, delivered to our members with personalized customer service.  

PSBA provides networking and professional development opportunities catered to specific roles on a school board, including board leadership, school board secretaries and solicitors. Through your district’s PSBA membership, you also receive access to COSSBA, a voluntary, nonpartisan federation of state school boards associations.  

• PSBA’s School Board Secretaries Forum hosts an annual conference designed specifically for these key employees.  
• PSBA offers an annual board officer training designed to empower new and experienced board leaders with essential skills for effective governance. 
• The Pennsylvania School Board Solicitors Association (PSBSA) is among the nation’s largest and most active state associations of school attorneys. 

PSBA members have access to the Pennsylvania School Safety Institute (PennSSI), which fosters safe and secure school communities through immersive scenarios and classroom trainings. PennSSI serves those who are tasked with keeping students and staff safe and works to equip individuals with the skills to address emerging security threats that may occur in school buildings, on district property or at other locations where students and staff may be present.