Showcase Arizona’s classroom focus, participate in the superintendent salary which opens tomorrow
Arizona Schools spend nearly 7 in every 10 dollars they receive on instruction, according to the Arizona Auditor General, a remarkably high number that shows school districts focus on their dollars where it matters most. For comparison states like Texas and Florida, public schools only spend a little over 6 in every 10 dollars they receive in classrooms according to the Texas Department of Education and Florida Tax Watch. Arizona has continued to become more efficient over the years by limiting overhead and working to directly put dollars into the classroom.
This efficiency didn’t happen by accident. Arizona school districts have made steady progress over the years by limiting overhead, streamlining operations and keeping instructional priorities at the center of financial decisions. That’s something worth celebrating.
As stewards of public resources, school boards play a critical role in this success. With low administrative overhead and a strong commitment to directing dollars where they’re needed most, Arizona districts are maximizing classroom impact.
To continue telling this story with credibility, accuracy and transparency, we need strong data. The 2025 ASBA Superintendent Salary Survey helps us do exactly that. It’s the only superintendent compensation study in Arizona created specifically to support school boards. The results help:
- Provide apples-to-apples benchmarking of total compensation
- Guide and explain compensation decisions with reliable, comparative data
- Promote transparency and consistency across districts
- Identify trends in recruitment and retention
- Reinforce how administrative costs are managed in support of instructional priorities
Participating in this survey helps reinforce the broader story: that Arizona districts are doing more with less and staying focused on students. We appreciate your participation and your ongoing commitment to strong, student-centered governance.
The survey opens Oct. 15. Look for the email in your inbox and please connect with your superintendent and encourage your district’s participation. We ask that each district submit only one response.
Elections open for Rural and Black Alliance leadership
ASBA is now accepting applications for officer positions in both the Rural Alliance and Black Alliance. These elected positions are vital to ensuring strong representation for rural and Black communities within ASBA’s statewide work.
Rural Alliance: Advocating for Arizona’s rural school districts
The Rural Alliance supports school board members from rural and remote areas through leadership development, advocacy and statewide collaboration.
Election overview
- Positions: President and Vice President
- Terms: Two years
- Election held: December 2025 annual meeting
- Eligibility and requirements:
- Must be a member of the Rural Alliance
- Must be a current ASBA board member
- Must attend the annual meeting in person Thursday, Dec. 18 at 11:40 a.m.
- Must deliver a two-minute speech
- Candidates for president must be representative of the population served
- Application deadline: Nov. 10, 2025
The voting members of the Alliance shall determine officers.
Visit azsba.org/rural-alliance-leadership for details and application.
Black Alliance: Leading for equity and access
The Black Alliance works to advance equity for Black students across Arizona by building leadership, community connection and inclusive education policy.
Election overview
- Positions: President and Vice President
- Terms: Two years
- Election held: December 2025 annual meeting
- Eligibility and requirements:
- Must be a member of the Black Alliance
- Must be a current ASBA board member
- Must attend the annual meeting in person Thursday, Dec. 18 at 3:30 p.m.
- Must deliver a two-minute speech
- Candidates for president must be representative of the population served
- Application deadline: Nov. 10, 2025
The voting members of the Alliance shall determine officers.
Visit azsba.org/black-alliance for more information and the application form.
Step into leadership
If you’re ready to lead or know someone who is, submit your application by Nov. 10, 2025, and plan to attend the Annual Meeting, December 18 at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort in Phoenix.
Headline: New ASAP Certification Course launches January 2026 – registration opens Nov. 17
ASBA is launching a new professional development opportunity designed specifically for school district administrative professionals. The Arizona School Administrative Professional (ASAP) Certification Course is a multi-session program offered in partnership with Grand Canyon University that provides expert-led training on the key aspects of supporting school governance and leadership.
The course begins in January 2026 and features a combination of in-person and virtual sessions. Participants will engage in sessions on working with superintendents and board members, mastering open meeting law, policy navigation, effective communication, leadership, customer service and more.
View full course and descriptions.
The program also includes a capstone project that participants will present during the final in-person session at Grand Canyon University. The experience concludes with a celebratory dinner to honor their work and achievement.
Registration opens Monday, Nov. 17, and is limited to 25 participants. The course fee is $1,000 per person.
October toolkit now available: Unlock the power of AI in school communications
Virtual Expert Presentation:
This October, see how AI can transform your work with greater efficiency and fresh ideas. Your ASBA Communications Toolkit is now available, focused on Leveraging AI in School Communications to simplify tasks, inspire creativity and amplify your impact. Become a subscriber and receive a monthly toolkit with resources your district can use for a wide variety of communication needs. Contact Heidi Vega, Director of Communications to get started at hvega@azsba.org or call 602-254-1100.
What’s Inside This Month’s Toolkit
Messaging and Templates:
- AI Foundations & Tools: Plain-language intro to AI in school communications, directory of free/low-cost tools and simple policy starter kit.
- Practical Resources: Step-by-step guides, checklists, quick reference sheets and an AI prompt library tailored for schools.
- Ready-to-Use Templates: Templates with built-in AI integration and customizable GPT blueprints to streamline everyday tasks.
Tutorial Videos:
- A tutorial video showing how to create a customized GPT – your own version of ChatGPT tailored with specific instructions, tone and tools to streamline tasks and deliver more relevant results.
Virtual Expert Presentation:
Mark Henderson, Director of Digital Initiatives at the Missouri School Boards Association, showcases valuable AI tools designed to streamline your workflow and improve productivity.
All materials are ready to use, giving you a head start on applying AI in your school communications to work smarter, save time and amplify your message.
BOLTS Workshop 2026: New dates and locations announced
ASBA’s signature BOLTS (Board Operations and Leadership Training Seminar) workshop returns in 2026 with updated dates and locations to better serve school board teams across Arizona.
Tailored for board presidents, new board members, superintendents and administrative professionals, BOLTS provides focused training on effective governance, leadership and board operations. The workshop offers practical strategies and tools to support stronger, more collaborative board leadership.
Mark your calendar for the updated 2026 dates:
- Jan. 30 – Flagstaff | High Country Conference Center
- Feb. 6 – Phoenix | Desert Willow Conference Center
- Feb. 27 – Tucson | Omni Tucson National
Each event features expert-led sessions, opportunities for peer networking and resources designed to support effective board governance at every level.
Registration opens Dec. 15, 2025. Be sure to check the ASBA website and your inbox for more details as the date approaches.
Save the date: Advocacy Day at the Capitol – Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Join school board members from across the state for ASBA’s annual Advocacy Day at the Capitol on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in Phoenix.
This is your opportunity to engage directly with lawmakers, share your district’s priorities and elevate the voice of public education in Arizona. The day will include a morning briefing on key legislative issues, visits with legislators at the Capitol and time to network with fellow board members.
Whether you’re new to advocacy or a seasoned policy voice, your presence makes a difference. Registration details and agenda will be available soon.
2026 Book Club: Cultivating Audacity with Anne Marie Anderson Registration opens Nov. 1, 2025
ASBA is proud to launch a first-of-its-kind professional learning experience in 2026 featuring renowned keynote speaker, author and broadcaster Anne Marie Anderson.
A three-time Emmy Award–winning journalist, Anne Marie brings more than 30 years of experience in sports television. She has covered six Olympic Games, championship playoffs, heavyweight title fights and the Super Bowl, and currently calls more than 75 live sporting events annually across ESPN, ABC, NBC, FOX and TBS.
Beyond her groundbreaking broadcasting career, Anne Marie is nationally recognized for her leadership and commitment to advancing opportunities in sports — all while navigating life as a dedicated mom. Her personal journey deeply informs her perspective on resilience, bold leadership and how to live with purpose and audacity.
Her book, Cultivating Audacity, presents a step-by-step framework to help leaders identify and break through the internal and external barriers that hold them back from courageous decision-making and impactful leadership. It’s a timely and powerful resource for school board members, superintendents and education leaders alike.
What makes this program different?
This six-part virtual book club includes four live sessions with Anne Marie Anderson herself. Together, we’ll dive into key chapters and explore how to unlock our full leadership potential — individually and as governance teams.
This is more than a book study — it’s a shared journey toward bold thinking, stronger leadership and more effective school governance.
Book club dates and topics:
- March 2, 2026 – Why cultivate audacity? (Chapters 1–3)
- April 7, 2026 – Make friends with fear (Chapter 4 with Anne Marie Anderson)
- June 22, 2026 – The urgency fallacy (Chapter 5 with Anne Marie Anderson)
(Note: This session may shift to June 23 due to Anne Marie’s travel schedule)
- Aug. 18, 2026 – Money: Time’s twin (Chapter 6 with Anne Marie Anderson)
- Sept. 15, 2026 – The inner circle (Chapter 7 with Anne Marie Anderson)
- Nov. 16, 2026 – Mapping your audacious move (Chapters 8–10)
Special in-person opportunity
Book club participants will also receive exclusive access to meet Anne Marie in person at the ASBA-ASA Annual Conference in December 2026, where she will deliver the keynote address. Sign-ups begin on November 1. More information can be found here.
Students unite at annual Speak Up, Stand Up, Save a Life conference
More than 60 schools from across Arizona gathered in Phoenix for the ninth annual Speak Up, Stand Up, Save a Life Conference, an event that students, educators and community leaders say has saved lives by giving young people the courage and tools to seek help.
Inside the packed auditorium, students sat shoulder to shoulder with teachers, first responders and local officials, all driven by the same mission: recognize warning signs, confront mental health struggles and stand together in moments of crisis.
For nearly a decade, the conference has carried one message – no student should face struggles like depression, suicide, grief, abuse or bullying alone. Organizers say that message has never been more urgent.
“Everybody goes through hard times,” said prosecutor and founder Gina Godbehere. “We encourage students to speak up, connect with a trusted adult and find the resources they……Read full article.
ASBA Conferences, Trainings & Webinars
Date: September 17 – October 23, 2025
Shifting Landscapes: Understanding Enrollment and Demographic Trends
Date: October 8, 2025 (5:00 pm – 6:00 pm)
Beyond the Classroom: Strategic Uses of Empty School Space
Date: November 12, 2025 (5:00 pm – 6:00 pm)
Date: December 17 – 19, 2025 (8:00 am – 5:00 pm)
2026 Board Operations and Leadership Training
Date: February 6 – 27, 2026 (8:00 am – 5:00 pm)