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 

SCHOOL BOARD DIRECTOR INFORMATION:

(i.e., W-1, C-2, C-3, E-4)

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 events 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 all advocacy efforts.