California School Boards Association

09/03/2026

CSBA's Legal Services team hosted a SOLD OUT session of UCP University on Aug. 18 in West Sacramento, providing attendees an in-depth breakdown of the complexities of Uniform Complaint Procedures (UCP).

This training is open to all and is designed for administrators, compliance officers, complaint coordinators and board members seeking to enhance their understanding of the UCP requirements and ensure compliance with state regulations. Failure to comply with UCPs can bring costly consequences and substantial loss of time and resources for LEAs. Keep an eye out for the next offering of UCP University and be sure to register early!

09/02/2026

All 285 students enrolled in Maple School District participate in the TK-8 local educational agency’s program, Rooted in Family, Community, and Education. Launched in August 2025, the initiative aims to strengthen student outcomes by empowering families first. Located in rural Kern County, the 115-year-old single campus is surrounded by pistachio and almond orchards.

According to Superintendent Bryan Easter, the school has long maintained a close-knit, family-centered culture, with many staff members spending their entire careers at Maple SD. CSBA Public Affairs and Community Engagement Representative Cecilio Barrera saw the program in action while speaking to Easter about the role of adult engagement in children’s educational journeys, early successes the program has seen and how an already strong sense of community helped effectively launch the Rooted series with broad support from families and staff. CSBA is recognizing the exceptional work of small districts through the Small Schools, Big Ideas blog series. Learn more: https://blog.csba.org/ssbi-maple-sd/

09/01/2026

It's time to meet the keynote speakers for CSBA's 2026 Annual Education Conference and Trade Show, happening Dec. 3-5 in San Diego! First up is Josh Shipp, an award-winning speaker, bestselling author and global youth advocate. Learn more about Josh and get all event details at aec.csba.org!

08/28/2026

School is back in session and CSBA has plenty of professional development opportunities happening this fall to assist governance team members and support staff in their work. From Masters in Governance® offerings and the Board Presidents Workshop to specialized sessions for student board members and executive assistants and courses on ethics and the Brown Act, find something that suits your needs, interests and commitment to lifelong learning: csba.org/training

08/26/2026

According to the latest CIF State Sports Participation Survey released Aug. 3, flag football is now the sixth most popular sport among girls by participation. Women’s flag football is also one of the fastest-growing collegiate sports, providing new pathways to higher education for girls from all background.

Elena DeNecochea said she is seeing this firsthand as head coach for the Women's Flag Football Club at CSU Sacramento, which will kick off its inaugural season in September. However, while she has witnessed the options open up for female athletes over the years since her time playing with San Juan Unified School District’s El Camino Fundamental High School varsity and junior varsity football teams, there are also significant challenges facing female athletes as they consider a future in the sport. Learn more: https://blog.csba.org/girls-flag-football/
(Photos curtesy of DeNecochea)

08/25/2026

In her August address, CSBA President Dr. Debra Schade, who is entering her 24th year as a trustee, details how each new academic year is a chance for school board members to renew their commitment to serving every child. Read it now:

As the daughter of a military family, I became accustomed to new beginnings.

08/24/2026

A new brief from CSBA, “California’s Children and Youth with Disabilities,” provides information about California’s children with disabilities, the sometimes-complicated challenge of accurately assessing these conditions, the importance of early intervention and the implications of identifying a child as having a disability. Access the brief: https://ow.ly/n0rQ50ZEUXy

Understanding special education is fundamental to effective governance. School board members make decisions that shape policies, allocate resources and establish priorities that directly affect California students with disabilities. With accurate information, board members can make the best decisions to ensure equity, transparency and accountability in the education provided to all students.

08/21/2026

As California lawmakers consider reforms to Assembly Bill 218 in the final weeks of the legislative session, leaders representing school districts and public entities across the state held a virtual press briefing on Aug. 20 to discuss reforms that would preserve survivors’ ability to seek justice while establishing reasonable safeguards against unlimited publicly-funded liability.

The event featured representatives from school districts, CSBA, the California Association of Joint Powers Authorities, the Association of California School Administrators, the California Association of School Business Officials and the Rural County Representatives of California. Read a recap of the event, including comments from CSBA President Dr. Debra Schade:

As California lawmakers consider reforms to Assembly Bill 218 in the final weeks of the legislative session, leaders representing school districts and public entities across the state held a virtual press briefing on Aug. 20 to discuss reforms that would preserve survivors’ ability to seek justice...

08/20/2026

On Aug. 19, Los Angeles Unified School District trustees took part in a CSBA-hosted governance retreat. Get ready to take a deep dive into CSBA's Governance Consulting Services offerings and how they can support your LEA's governance team in an upcoming fall edition of California Schools magazine! In the meantime, learn more about these services and schedule a session with a governance consultant: https://www.csba.org/GovernanceAndPolicyResources/EffectiveGovernance/GCS_MoreInformation.aspx .tab=0

08/19/2026

County-specific work is rarely a one-size-fits-all agenda. The 2026 Counties Conference, taking place Sept. 25-27 at the Marina del Rey Marriott, is designed exclusively for county board trustees, superintendents and staff, with breakout sessions built around what county boards actually navigate day to day. Find the event program, information on keynote speakers, registration details and more at csba.org/countyconference!