2024 Pre-Conference Sessions
Tuesday, October 15 

7.  Navigating Employee Discipline: Legal Considerations in a Complex Landscape

Presented by Sam Chalfant, Partner, Sarah Mack, Partner, and Curtis Leonard, Partner, Pacifica Law Group, Seattle, WA

This presentation will delve into the legal landscape surrounding employee discipline, particularly in contentious times. Presenters will explore the intersection between employee discipline and the First Amendment, federal disability laws and collective bargaining agreements, offering insights into the challenges and strategies for effectively managing disciplinary actions. Core topics will include the implications of employee speech rights and religious liberty, as well as employee protections related to leave and collective bargaining provisions, all of which significantly influence disciplinary considerations in schools throughout the country.

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8. Righting the Ship without Rocking the Boat: Writing Effective Communications that Document, Correct and Support

Presented by Philip Georgia, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, Lake Forest Schools, Lake Forest, IL and Gabe Cappozzo, Director of Human Resources, Beach Park School District #3, Beach Park, IL

Everyone makes mistakes! As HR leaders, the growth and retention of employees can be

significantly increased when we approach situations with a corrective and supportive

perspective. This session will review the essential components of a thorough investigation

and how to effectively document facts, set expectations and mitigate risk. Participants

will receive draft templates and other practical resources that provide guidance and save time.

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9. Get Your Training On! Required Training Under the New Title IX Rules

Presented by Jackie Gharapour Wernz, Legal Consultant, ECR Solutions LLC, Dallas, TX

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits sex-based discrimination, harassment and retaliation in public schools, has been amended—again. This paradigm shift will impact how schools process cases involving sex discrimination and harassment, including those involving school personnel. The 2024 Title IX rules require that Title IX coordinators, investigators, decision-makers, and informal resolution facilitators receive training on the new rules. They also require more limited training for all employees and, if                                                                 a school chooses to recognize them, confidential employees. This session will cover all the                                                                 required training topics under the Title IX    rules, allowing you to hit the ground running                                                                 if your school or district receives a Title IX complaint. You will also learn the information                                                                 you need to provide others when you return to your district. Attendees will receive an                                                                       electronic copy of the training materials to be posted on their school or district website                                                                   as required by the Title IX rules.

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10. Thriving Amidst Challenges: Talent Management During a Workforce Shortage

Presented by Dr. Sara Skretta, Sr. Director of Accreditation, Placement & Licensure/Certification Officer, University of Nebraska - Lincoln and Kristen Finley, Supervisor of Elementary Personnel Services, Lincoln Public Schools, Lincoln, NE

Talent management is more crucial than ever as education faces unprecedented workforce

shortages. This interactive session will provide participants with how to strategically

navigate challenges and optimize talent resources within their district.  Actionable

strategies and insights on key topics like strategic talent acquisition, talent development

and upskilling, retention strategies, collaborative partnerships and adaptive leadership will be provided. Join us to expand your talent management skills during a workforce shortage while maintaining educational excellence.

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11. An Urgent Need to Improve Diverse Educator Retention:  Addressing Historical Failures and Building Inclusive Solutions

Presented by Tanya Dallas, Cultural Unity & Equity, Staff Development & Title IX Coordinator, Jefferson County Schools,

Charles  Town, WV

Why do school districts often focus on recruiting diverse educators but neglect to implement effective retention strategies? School district policymakers and practitioners must gain a deeper understanding of the critical importance of learning about the hidden history of the failed mandate to integrate educators of color and the lasting impact this has on the institution of education in the United States today. Without fostering a supportive learning environment, efforts to enhance diversity fall short, ultimately decimating the pipeline of educators of color and weakening the intercultural network that benefits the entire school community.

 

This session employs experiential and collaborative leadership learning approaches to create a rich learning environment. Participants will be introduced to three significant failures and their critical consequences stemming from historical mandates like the Brown vs. Board of Education 1954 ruling, which led to the dismissal of one-hundred thousand highly credentialed Black principals and teachers                                                                       in the southern United States. To effectively recruit and retain diverse educators, a                                                                         climate of belonging is essential. This workshop looks at questions with discussions                                                                           about the hard answers to enhance the retention of teachers of color. By                                                                                       understanding the historical context and its ongoing impact (from an educational                                                                           learning perspective and not a ‘shame or blame’ perspective), participants will be                                                                           encouraged to work together as part of inclusive solutions to support and sustain a                                                                         diverse educational workforce.

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12. I’ve Got 99 Problems, But Substitutes Ain’t One!

Presented by Jamie West, Instructional Recruitment Partner, Lake County Schools, Tavares, FL, Andy Moore, Director of Human Resources, Shelby County Schools, Shelbyville, KY and Tina Limner, Director, Employee Systems & School Support, Puyallup School District, Puyallup, WA

Have a substitute problem that needs fixin’? Join our session and we’ll help give you tips and tricks for substitute management success. In this session, you’ll learn how to create a substitute teacher program within your district, manage that program and give that program longevity with purpose. This session will be interactive and serve both beginners and intermediate substitute program managers. Let’s discuss what steps you can take toward substitute management success

and how to remain proactive instead of reactive toward any bumps in the road. We’ll

also peel back the layers of various components to a happy substitute teacher pool

including but not limited to professional development, pay incentives and structures

and retention programs.