Policy Institute
This exemplary educational program is 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 2023-24 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 legislative system and its impact on public schools.
- Grow leadership skills.
- Develop new approaches to school governance.
- Become an advocate for public education who is committed to strengthening relationships with local legislators.
- Discuss and develop approaches for civility at the board table.
- Manage community civil discourse during an issue or debate.
- Develop a cohort of school board leaders for continued dialogue and support related to public education.
- Establish a network of connectivity with identified areas of opportunity for continued growth.
- Foster and strengthen the connection between PSBA and legislators to accelerate advocacy for public education at the local, state and federal levels.
Congratulations to former 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 |
Deanna | Philpott | North Hills |
Tony | Sadowski | Centennial |
Jay | Breneman | City of Erie |
Megan | Sexton | Chartiers Valley |
Cynthia | Wirth | Norristown Area |
Paige | Hardy | North Allegheny |
Lois | Lambing | Pennsbury |
Daria | Devlin | Erie City |
Catherine | Fox | Fairview |
Lori | Sabatose | Brockway |
Ken | Dinitz | Rose Tree Media |
Maryann | Piccioni | Tredyffrin-Easttown |
Melanie | Pallone | Riverview |
Tabitha | Dell'Angelo | Central Bucks |
Madhu | Gurthy | Downingtown |
Kristan | Tervo | Wilmington Area |
Jennifer | Goldhahn | Bermudian Springs |
Mark | Smith | Waynesboro Area |
Wendi | Lee | Northgate |
Kristy | Bolte | Northwestern S D |
John Jarrett | Whalen | Mercer Area |
Lisa | Trainor | Chartiers Valley |
Deborah | Spence | Pottstown |
Anthony | Maalouf | Marple Newton |
2023-24 Program Details
Saturday, September 23, 2023 | 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
PSBA headquarters, 400 Bent Creek Blvd., Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
Learn how to function more effectively as a team of ten to accomplish district
priorities and goals.
Wednesday, October 18, 2023 | 8:00 – 9:30 a.m.
Virtual via Zoom
Attendees will get to hear from legislators from both parties about why it is important for them to have regular communication with their constituents and how your district stories can influence the work they do in the Capitol. As one board member noted, “With patience, persistence and practice, I can truly say advocacy for public education is becoming fun.”
Wednesday, November 15, 2023 | 8:00 – 9:30 a.m.
Virtual via Zoom
Understand how productive board meetings, community engagement and social media can all highlight the impressive work being done in your district to share with your legislators.
Wednesday, December 13, 2023 | 8:00 – 9:30 a.m.
Virtual via Zoom
Learn how to cultivate an environment of inclusion and belonging to positively impact growth and development for students, staff and administration alike. Reflect on the direct relationship and influence of your school board’s actions on the entire district.
Wednesday, January 17, 2023 | 8:00 – 9:30 a.m.
Virtual via Zoom
Understand the Sunshine Law and how meetings should be conducted.
Wednesday, February 14, 2023 | 8:00 – 9:30 a.m.
Virtual via Zoom
Understand the impact of mandated costs imposed by the General Assembly, your district’s cost drivers and how that all relates to charter reform.
Wednesday, March 20, 2023 | 8:00 – 9:30 a.m.
Virtual via Zoom
Learn about one of the costliest mandates for schools and about how property tax reform could impact your district's budget.
April TBD, two-day event
PSBA headquarters, 400 Bent Creek Blvd., Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
Share your local stories with your legislators at the Capitol and encourage your Team of 10 to join you.
Application
If you would like to participate in the 2023-24 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 or Jamie Zuvich, advocacy manager, at jamie.zuvich@PSBA.org.