ASBA Is Hosting a Free Webinar for Future Board Members
Know someone running for a governing board seat? Help them start strong by sharing this opportunity.
ASBA is hosting a free webinar designed specifically for future board members. The session will provide aspiring candidates with the essential tools and strategies they need to navigate the next steps of their journey to governing board service, including an overview of the roles and responsibilities of board members.
- Cost: Free
- Webinar: I’m on the Ballot! Now What?
- Date: Tuesday, July 21, 2026
- Time: 5-6 p.m.
- Click here to register
Speakers include ASBA’s very own Julie Bacon, Director of Leadership Development; Sarah James, Board Support and Field Services Specialist; and Andrew Morrill, Board Support and Field Services Specialist.
Submit Your Proposal for the 2026 ASBA Annual Conference
The ASBA Request for Proposals is now open and closes Friday, Oct. 9.
Be a part of ASBA’s Annual Conference, Dec. 17-18, the premier end-of-year event for school board members and district leaders across Arizona. This year’s theme, Saddle Up for District Success: Celebrating Innovative, Effective and Responsible Leadership, recognizes districts leading with purpose, creativity and integrity.
Why Present at the Annual Conference?
- Inspire and Be Inspired: Engage in sessions featuring state and national speakers and explore innovative education initiatives from districts across Arizona.
- Connect and Celebrate: Network with education leaders from across the state and celebrate achievements at the Annual Awards Program
Call for Breakout Session Proposals
Share your expertise and innovative practices by submitting a proposal for a breakout session. Your session can address any of these themes:
- Innovative Programs, Practices or Processes: Highlight how your district has implemented creative or forward-thinking approaches, the positive outcomes they have produced and any challenges you faced along the way.
- Improved Student Outcomes: Share strategies that have positively impacted all students while enhancing mental health and safety. Highlight your district’s successes in closing opportunity gaps, fostering student growth and implementing programs that strengthen employee and student wellness, school culture and safety.
- Highly Effective Leadership Practices: Show how strong leadership fuels educational excellence. Share the leadership traits, strategies and practices that have helped your district excel in academic achievement, student growth and employee satisfaction.
- Engagement Strategies with Students, Staff, Parents/Families or the Community: Highlight programs and practices that strengthen connections across your district. Share how you engage stakeholders in decision-making and build partnerships that bring valuable resources to your schools.
Proposal Guidelines
- Share replicable strategies and practices.
- Showcase innovative ideas and solutions with measurable impact on student success.
- Inspire districts to take action in meeting the needs of their students, families and communities.
Presenter Requirements
- At least one presenter must be a governing board member or district employee. Coordinate proposals through your superintendent.
- Presenters must be available to present on either day of the conference, Dec. 17 or 18.
- Paid conference registration is required to attend the full event.
- Districts may submit up to two proposals.
Questions? Contact Sarah James, ASBA Board Support Specialist, at sjames@azsba.org.
ASBA’s Law Conference Marks 50 Years of Leadership and America’s 250th Anniversary
Fifty years ago, ASBA established the Law Conference as a cornerstone of governance education in Arizona. Five decades later it remains the state’s premier gathering of school board members, district leaders and legal professionals dedicated to the work of public education.
Featured Keynote Speakers:
Tami Pyfer, Chief Impact Officer for UNITE and co-creator of the Dignity Index.
Jim Walsh, Attorney and Shareholder, Walsh Gallegos Kyle Robinson & De Los Santos P.C.
Conference Details
- Date: Sept. 9-11, 2026
- Location: JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort and Spa, 5402 E. Lincoln Dr., Scottsdale, AZ
- Theme: 250 Years of America. 50 Years of Law Conference Leadership
- Registration date: July 7, 2026
A full agenda with breakout session details is coming soon.
This milestone conference reflects both the legacy of this event and ASBA’s enduring commitment to governance grounded in the law.
Why Attend?
- Get legal updates: Stay informed on key laws, rulings and legislation affecting Arizona school districts.
- Prevent legal issues: Learn how to avoid common legal pitfalls before they become problems.
- Make confident decisions: Strengthen your legal knowledge for better governance.
- Connect with experts: Network with attorneys and education leaders from across the state.
- Earn credit: Satisfy board training requirements.
- Support public schools: Champion student rights and local control.
Important Note on Delegate Assembly
The 2026 Delegate Assembly will be held Wednesday, Sept. 9, rather than the traditional Saturday date, in consideration of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, which begins the evening of Friday, Sept. 11.
ASBA Offers Professional Communications Services for Districts Without a Communications Team at an Affordable Price
Running a district without a dedicated communications team means critical responsibilities fall on staff who are already stretched thin. ASBA Communications Services exists to fill that gap, providing professional support exclusively for Arizona school districts without a communications team, from strategic messaging and writing to design, photography and video production, all at a cost built for public education.
Districts across Arizona are already putting these services to work. Balsz ESD, Tombstone USD and Alpine ESD are among those partnering with ASBA to strengthen community engagement and share their stories more effectively.
Click here to explore ASBA Communications Services and Trainings
Districts can also subscribe to the Communications Toolkit and Resource Center for $250 per year. The toolkit provides ready-to-use templates, training videos and practical communications tools that help district staff save time and communicate more effectively.
ASBA also offers customer service training to support front office staff and operational teams as they prepare for back-to-school and strengthen family and community interactions throughout the year.
For more information, contact Heidi Vega, ASBA Director of Communications, at hvega@azsba.org or 602-254-1100.
Limited Dates Remain for ASBA’s $600 Summer Board Retreat: Book Now
Summer provides a critical window for governing boards and superintendents to step back, assess priorities and strengthen leadership practices before the new school year begins.
ASBA retreats offer structured, facilitated sessions designed to improve governance effectiveness, including:
- Self-evaluation practices that support continuous improvement
- Tools to strengthen team dynamics and collaboration
- Communication frameworks that improve board effectiveness
- Strategic planning aligned to district goals
- Customized retreat options tailored to your board’s priorities
Each session is designed to produce clear, actionable outcomes that support leadership and student success.
The $600 rate includes facilitation, preparation and travel. Availability is limited and remaining summer dates are expected to fill soon.
Districts that have not yet scheduled should act now.
Book your retreat here.
Questions? Contact Sarah James at sjames@azsba.org or 602-254-1100.
Using Data to Build Connection: ASBA’s May Communications Toolkit
The ASBA Communications Toolkit is a monthly subscription that gives Arizona school districts ready-to-use templates, messaging tools, videos and branded assets designed to strengthen communications with families, staff and the community without adding to staff workload.
The May Communications Toolkit focuses on Using Data to Help Build Connection, an especially timely topic as districts move into end-of-year decision-making and planning for the year ahead.
The toolkit explores how school districts can use communication, engagement and feedback data to strengthen relationships with families, improve transparency and create more meaningful community connection.
The May Toolkit includes:
- Communication and Engagement Audit Tools
- Family Feedback and Listening Resources
- Relationship-Building and Strategic Planning Resources and more
The toolkit also features a virtual session with Lesley Bruinton, APR, chief executive officer at School Spirit PR, sharing practical strategies for using data to strengthen communication, build trust and create more meaningful engagement with your community.
Data is not just for reporting. Used well, it becomes a tool for listening, building trust and strengthening the relationships that make a district strong.
Learn more about the ASBA Communications Toolkit subscription service here.
For questions about subscribing or accessing toolkit materials, contact Dani Cole, ASBA Multimedia Communications Manager, at dcole@azsba.org or 602-254-1100.
Your District’s Story Deserves to Be Told, Schedule Your 2026-27 District Highlight
Every district has a story worth telling. ASBA’s District Highlight brings those stories to life, celebrating your community, amplifying your impact and putting your district’s success in front of a statewide audience.
View past District Highlights here and see how storytelling strengthens community connection and inspires districts across Arizona.
This complimentary service sends the ASBA Communications team directly to you. They listen, learn and immerse themselves in what makes your district exceptional, producing a professionally crafted feature that captures your work and shares it with the people who need to see it most.
Each District Highlight includes:
- A professionally written feature article
- A high-quality video produced on location
- Visibility through ASBA platforms
- A lasting piece you can share with your community, your board and your families
Your district is doing remarkable work. Let ASBA help you share it.
Spots are limited and the 2026-27 school year is approaching quickly.
Submit your District Highlight request today.
Connect E-Newsletter Takes a Break in July
The Connect E-Newsletter takes a one-month break in July. We hope our members enjoy a well-deserved summer and take time to celebrate the work accomplished this year. The dedication you bring to Arizona’s students and public schools is meaningful and we are grateful for your continued leadership. The Connect E-Newsletter returns in August with updates, resources and news to support your work. Have a wonderful summer.
ASBA Conferences, Trainings & Webinars
View ASBA Calendar of Events
Cultivating Audacity Book Study
Date: March 2-December 20, 2026 (4-5 p.m.)
2026 Summer Leadership Institute (SLI)
Date: June 4-6, 2026 (8 a.m.-5 p.m.)
Date: July 21, 2026 (5-6 p.m.)
Date: September 9-11, 2026
Date: September 9, 2026 (8 a.m.-1 p.m.)
Date: October 19-November 4, 2026
Date: November 17, 2026 (5-6 p.m.)
Date: December 16-18, 2026