With all the challenges facing the human resources side of education — like dwindling budgets, bargaining and staffing shortages — school leaders working in this space know there’s only one way to surmount them: together.

HR and negotiating team members will come together in September to hear the latest information from employment law experts, build practical skills in human relations, and exchange ideas with peers at ACSA’s 2025 Personnel & Negotiations Symposium.

The theme for this year’s conference is “Lead Together” and reflects a change that’s happening across the HR field and at the negotiating table, said Dr. Darvin Jackson, assistant superintendent, Human Resources, with Saddleback Valley USD.

“HR and labor leaders aren’t working in silos anymore. ‘Lead Together’ is about shared leadership and supporting the power of teamwork, collaboration, and mutual respect,” said Jackson, who also serves as chair of this year’s conference planning committee. “When people feel heard and respected, they’re more likely to engage and arrive at mutually positive agreements, and that’s where real progress can start to happen.”

This year’s Personnel & Negotiations Symposium will provide relevant information to help personnel leaders and negotiating team members find solutions while staying in compliance of education and labor law. Sessions will address current challenges facing these leaders, such as:

Because not all HR administrators sit at the negotiations table, Jackson said the planning committee has taken care to select presenters that address personnel matters as well as those that relate to negotiations. Attendees will hear from attorney firms that have been identified to present on some of the latest and hottest topics in HR and negotiations. In addition, HR practitioners will provide their insights from lived experience as personnel leaders.

Attendees will also be able to network with HR administrators and negotiating team members from throughout the state, with multiple opportunities to interact with colleagues at events like the First-time Attendee Workshop, networking receptions and more.

Don’t miss this chance to transform your leadership with up-to-date knowledge and skills from the top legal experts and HR practitioners in the state.

Ray Curry Award During the symposium, the ACSA Human Resources Council will present the Ray Curry Award. Named for the pioneering HR administrator who founded ACSA’s Personnel Institute and Negotiators’ Symposium, this award recognizes those who have contributed or displayed accomplishments in this role. To submit a nomination, visit bit.ly/PersonnelNegotiators25 and click on the Ray Curry Award link at the top. The deadline is Aug. 15.