PSBA has launched an exemplary educational program designed to provide first-term school directors with an eight-month experience that will grow their capacity as locally elected officials and leaders of public education. Participants will meet regularly during the 2022-23 school year via Zoom in addition to two in-person events. The program seeks to enhance their capacity as directors and advocates, as well as grow their relationship with PSBA and their locally elected officials. 

Purpose 

Foster greater collaboration between school directors across the commonwealth, enhance communication among leaders, educate and grow the impact of PSBA’s advocacy efforts, and expand school directors’ understanding of policy issues impacting Pennsylvania’s public schools.  

Goals 

  • Increase knowledge of the Pennsylvania political system and its impact on public schools. 
  • Grow leadership skills and develop new approaches to school governance.  
  • Discuss and develop approaches for fostering civility at the board table and managing community civil discourse during a divisive issue debate.  
  • Develop a cohort of school director leaders to continue their dialogue following the conclusion of the program.  
  • Foster a greater connection between PSBA to help accelerate school directors’ advocacy for public education at the local, state and federal levels. 

Congratulations to the 2022 inaugural Policy Institute participants: 

Beth  Sviben  Central Dauphin School District 
Bradley  Moore  Radnor Township School District 
Brian  Conroy  Eastern Lancaster County School District 
Brian   Petula  Lackawanna Trail School District 
Catherine  Fox  Scranton School District 
David  Tinker  Brentwood Borough School District 
Elizabeth  Rosemeyer  Penn Hills School District 
Elizabeth  Warner  North Allegheny School District 
Frank  Cortazzo  South Allegheny School District 
James  Brogna  Crestwood School District 
Jason  Miller  Millersburg Area School District 
Jay  Strunk  Pottsgrove School District 
Jennifer  Schnore  Upper St. Clair Twp. School District 
Lucy  Klain  Lower Merion School District 
Megan  Schaeffer  Eastern Lebanon County School District 
Robin  Goodson  School District of Lancaster 
Sandra  Kozera  North Hills School District 
Sarah  Nemitz  Salisbury Township School District 
Sarah  Cruz  Scranton School District 
Yu-Ling  Cheng  Avonworth School District 

Application

If you would like to participate in the 2022-23 Policy Institute, please click here to download a PDF application or complete the webform below. If you have any additional questions about the Policy Institute, please contact Lena Hannah, member outreach manager, at Lena.Hannah@psba.org 

School Board Director Information

PA Required School Director Training (Act 55 of 2017 and Act 18 of 2019)

Short Answer Essay

Agreement to Fully Complete Program

If I am selected for this program, I agree to participate in all identified meetings listed on the program summary, to inform my superintendent and board colleagues of my participation in this PSBA-sponsored program, and to actively participate in advocacy efforts.

Demographic Information (Optional)

By answering the following questions, you allow us to better support the unique needs of school board directors.