OSBA convention’s tight student focus sharpens school leadership plans

Published: November 11, 2024

Danny Cage (left), a Multnomah Education Service District board member, and Greg Kintz, OSBA Board and Vernonia School Board member, get into a policy discussion Saturday, Nov. 9, during the OSBA 78th Annual Convention. (Photo by Jake Arnold, OSBA)

Many board members were nervous about coming to the OSBA Annual Convention in downtown Portland. Some board members don't like coming to Portland in the best of times, and they worried tensions might be high in and around the convention after an emotional election.

Instead, they found a city basking in glorious fall days and a group of dedicated school leaders firmly determined to keep the focus on the convention's theme of "All in for students."

The OSBA 78th Annual Convention kicked off Thursday, Nov. 7, with preconferences for administrative professionals who support school boards and superintendents and for board members looking to work on their governance skills. More than 600 school board members, school district staff, speakers and exhibitors registered.

The conference Friday and Saturday was packed with inspiring speakers, including Oregon Department of Education Director Charlene Williams, 2024-25 Oregon Superintendent of the Year Ryan Noss of Corvallis, 2024-25 Oregon Teacher of the Year Bryan Butcher of Portland Public Schools and 2024 Oregon School Board Member of the Year Bill Amos of St. Helens.

Workshops covered topics such as mental health approaches, early literacy strategies and aligning board, superintendent and district goals. This year, sessions were repeated so that attendees had opportunities to go to ones being offered at the same time.

Nyssa School Board member Susan Ramos said she was among those really concerned about traveling to Portland but she felt reassured by extra precautions OSBA had taken. Saturday morning, the last day of the convention, she said she had been energized by the speakers and workshops.

"It's been amazing," she said.

Ryan Hawkins, Nyssa superintendent, said his board members brought their families to Portland and had been having a wonderful time while the board members soaked up all the convention had to offer.

Emielle Nischik, OSBA executive director, said the convention's positive atmosphere is encouraging.

"School board members over and over again this weekend showed they are ready and eager to put all their energy into student-centered work," Nischik said. "We need to maintain that focus because our children deserve the best education we can give them."

Neelam Gupta, a Lake Oswego School Board member and president of the Oregon School Board Members of Color Caucus, said the growing presence of students at the convention is helping.

"We need their on-the-ground perspective to really improve," she said.

Jay Chick, a Rogue River School Board member, said he found the weekend's programming tightly focused on best practices for leading schools.

"I'm on the school board, because I'm 100% for kids," he said. "I'm always for my kids, but I am also for my teachers. I want my teachers to have the tools to do their job better."

Chick said he appreciated the chance to network. This year, OSBA intentionally built in extra time and structure for board members to connect with people in their region and from around the state.

Maegan Vidal, a West Linn School Board member, was part of an informal chat after a session with several board members in her area. She said they try to meet regionally but the convention offers a rare opportunity to be in the same building at the same time.

Chris Barnes, a Baker Charter Schools board member, said the outside pressures fell away during the convention.

"I don't care what side of the political divide you are on, we all care about kids," she said.

On the Sunday following the convention, the OSBA Board held its annual November in-person meeting and discussed the convention.

Cris Cronin, OSBA Board president-elect and a Grant County Education Service District board member, said there had been doubts about the wisdom of holding a convention this year. Everyone she talked to over the weekend, though, she said, was glad to be together again and focusing on the passion that drives them: improving Oregon's education system for the sake of the children.

"We needed this," Cronin said. "I am so grateful we are able to do this. I'm going to carry that into the next year."

- Jake Arnold, OSBA
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