Unlike the U.S. president or members of Congress, who are sworn in months after Election Day, newly elected school board members often assume their seats within a couple of weeks of winning at the ballot box. In other words, the hard work of education governance starts almost immediately for new trustees.
That’s why, this year, CALN wasted no time hosting comprehensive new member orientations for these emerging leaders, called “School Board Bootcamp.” With stops in Columbia and Raleigh, the Bootcamps helped dozens of trustees and newly elected members refine their board skills and grow as leaders.
Both days featured a stellar lineup of speakers, including Dr. Olivia Oxendine, a professor at UNC Pembroke and a member of the N.C. State Board of Education, who presented in North Carolina. She put the “language of student achievement” into plain English for our group, translating the technical jargon that often muddles education into clear, practical takeaways.
Dr. Oran Smith, a CALN board member and senior fellow at the Palmetto Promise Institute, shared an equally thorough review of student achievement in South Carolina. His session highlighted that many districts in the state have achieved strong math outcomes despite spending comparatively less per student. He also revealed that, despite seemingly high graduation rates, far fewer students are actually considered college- or career-ready.
Later, we delved into the mechanics of actually running a school district, guided by Aaron Beaulieu, a former district CFO and founder of School Operations Specialists. He talked about managing the budget process, the need for proactive planning, and strategies for spending efficiency while allocating funds to core needs.
After learning the ins and outs of education policy, two experts in parliamentary procedure—Chris Sullivan of Skyagunsta Inc. and Bill Gillmeister of Call to Order Governance Services—took the floor to share tips and tactics for securing big wins in the boardroom to advance school improvement. After all, what good is knowledge if you can’t put it into action?
We were also joined by Dr. Kelly Kohls of the National School Board Leadership Council, who provided a crash course in board member duties and effective governance, along with Jordan Adams, a curriculum specialist and advisor with School Boards for Academic Excellence.
We thank our speakers and Carolina school board partners for joining us, demonstrating their commitment to continuous learning and growth. To learn more about CALN’s upcoming events, be sure to visit our events page and subscribe to our weekly newsletter.