Signature Events

PSBA offers members a variety of live education and networking events throughout the year. Some events highlight foundational content or aspects of Pennsylvania public education. Other events cover timely topics, offering members direct access to experts, along with best practice exchanges among peers. The goal of every gathering is to support school directors and other district leaders in exemplifying PSBA’s Principles for Governance and Leadership through governing effectively, leading responsibly, acting ethically, advocating earnestly, planning thoughtfully, evaluating continuously and communicating clearly. Check below for details on signature events, including specific locations as they become available.

Registration is available via myPSBA.org. The myPSBA member portal is your resource for event registrations, online learning and connecting with members statewide. Browse and view online learning courses and recorded webinars, and register for signature and featured events. Keep track of your course enrollment and your progress toward badges and certificates. Need to complete required training? Log onto myPSBA to see requirements specific to your role and to take courses.

To plan your educational event calendar a year in advance, check out the Year in Learning catalog.

New and Advanced School Director Training

Weekends: Saturday, December 7 & 14, 2019, January 11 & 25, 2020, lunch included
Weeknights: Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday, December 10-12, 2019 and Monday, February 3, 2020 (multiple locations across the state), dinner included

Do you want high-impact, engaging training that both newly elected and re-seated school directors can attend to be certified in new and advanced school director required training? PSBA has been supporting new school directors for more than 50 years by enlisting statewide experts in school law, finance and governance to deliver a one-day foundational training. This year, we are adding a parallel track of sessions for those who need advanced school director training to meet their compliance requirements. These sessions will be delivered by the same experts but with advanced content. Look for a compact evening training or a longer Saturday training, coming to a location near you. All sites will include one hour of trauma-informed training required by Act 18 of 2019. Weekend sites will include an extra hour for a legislative update from PSBA’s government affairs team.

Click here for more information.

Spring Legal Roundup

March 10 – April 21, 2020, afternoon program
(10 locations across the state), light refreshments provided

Spring Legal Roundup is an engaging and interactive three-hour educational event that provides important updates on significant developments in school law and is presented by a local solicitor at each location paired with a member of the PSBA Legal Services team. Participants may earn up to three substantive continuing legal education credits. Click here for more information.

Cost: Complimentary for PSBA All-Access* member entities.

*Note: All-Access school entities can send all nine school directors, superintendents, business managers and board secretaries to as many live and online programs as they like, except for multiday events and customized workshops.

Sectional Meetings

March 18 – April 8, 2020, evening program
(10 locations across the state), light refreshments provided

Hear relevant content from statewide experts, district practitioners and PSBA government affairs staff at PSBA’s annual membership gathering. PSBA Sectional Advisors and Advocacy Ambassadors are on-site to connect with district leaders in their region and share important information for you to take back to your district. Click here for more information.

Advocacy Day

March 23, 2020, all-day event
Harrisburg Capitol, voucher for lunch at Capitol cafeteria provided

PSBA connects you with state legislators to advocate powerfully and directly on behalf of your districts, region and public education. This is your annual opportunity to apply your advocacy skills by engaging with leaders on the Hill, along with other school directors who are passionate about public education. You will understand and be able to clearly voice PSBA’s legislative priorities alongside stories and concerns from your district. Click here for more information.

Cost: Complimentary for PSBA member entities.

Board Presidents Panel

April 27-29, 2020
(10 locations across the state), light refreshments provided

This annual event supports current and aspiring school board leaders through roundtable conversations with colleagues as well as a facilitated panel of experienced regional and statewide board presidents and superintendents. After four months of various digital learning opportunities, Board Presidents Panel is the culminating live event for new and veteran board presidents and vice presidents as well as superintendents and other school directors who may pursue a leadership position in the future. Click here for more information.

Cost: Complimentary for PSBA All-Access* member entities.

*Note: All-Access school entities can send all nine school directors, superintendents, business managers and board secretaries to as many live and online programs as they like, except for multiday events and customized workshops.

Solicitors Symposium

July 9-10, 2020
Nittany Lion Inn, State College

The annual Solicitors Symposium provides an informative and relaxed training and networking opportunity for school attorneys. This day-and-a-half program focuses on topics of special legal significance, featuring Pennsylvania’s best-known experts in various areas of school law practice. Participants may earn up to 7.5 continuing legal education credits (6.5 substantive, 1 ethics).

Cost: $425 (Early Bird pricing – $395)

School Board Secretaries Conference

July 2020

School board secretaries are an essential part of school boards’ success. This annual event is designed specifically to meet the networking and training needs of these key employees. The conference will provide the latest policy and legal updates, and help attendees refresh skills in preparation for the back-to-school season. Click here for a recap of the 2019 School Board Secretaries Conference.

Cost: Pricing information coming soon.

PSBA Equity Summit

October 2020
Hershey Lodge, lunch provided

Promoting an equitable educational environment for all students requires school leaders to affirm and engage students, parents, and communities in education practice. The summit presents an opportunity for district leadership from across the commonwealth to learn best practices, network with others, and engage in discussions on how to develop a culturally responsive and inclusive school environment.

More information coming soon.

PASA-PSBA School Leadership Conference

October 14-16, 2020
Hershey Lodge

The Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators (PASA) and PSBA host a joint, multi-day conference for school leaders from across the commonwealth. Serving and supporting the role of school administrators and school board directors, the live programming and gatherings that comprise the event are designed to inform and inspire. The purpose of the conference is to equip you for the challenges of your education leadership role by bringing learning opportunities, product and service offerings, along with networking, to one place at one time for a maximized attendee experience.

For more information, please visit PaSchoolLeaders.org.

School Law Workshop

October 14, 2020
Hotel Hershey, breakfast and lunch provided

The annual School Law Workshop, held in conjunction with the PASA-PSBA School Leadership Conference, offers valuable networking and learning opportunities for school attorneys and school officials. Presentations provide an overview of legal issues school entities across the commonwealth may face, including occurrence from the past year and insight on what’s likely to come. Participants may earn up to 5.5 continuing legal education credits. Always a highpoint of the event is the presentation of the PA School Board Solicitors Association’s “President’s Award for Distinguished Career Achievement in School Law.”

More information coming soon.

Build brand awareness with school board leaders and administrators through sponsorship of PSBA Signature Live Events. For information, contact Deb Harrington, partnerships manager, (717) 506-2450, x-3326.