Nearly 500 superintendents gathered Jan. 28-30 in Indian Wells to reflect on “leading beyond limits” and the future of California education.

The group of district and county leaders joined sessions on timely education topics like staffing, new legislation and supporting students with a vulnerable immigration status, and heard from speakers on the importance of creating educational systems that reach every student.

ACSA Executive Director Dr. Edgar Zazueta challenged attendees to consider looking outside the school system to the wider legislative landscape.

“How do we influence the system around (school) leaders?” he asked. “What is (the superintendent’s) role not only in developing the leaders themselves, but also the system that impacts our students?”

In his Wednesday keynote remarks, Jean-Claude Brizard, CEO of Digital Promise and former CEO of Chicago Public Schools, said the most important relationship in education has traditionally been between “teachers, students and content.”

“The pandemic taught us a fourth ‘stool’ — parents and families,” he said.

Engaging with families about the content their children are learning is vital in today’s world with the rise of generative artificial intelligence in educational technology, he said. “As leaders, we need to be crew — not passengers — in this effort,” Brizard said. “Otherwise, it’ll be done to us. Big Tech will do it to us. Our goal is to influence OpenAI, influence Google, to make sure (AI) is learning-focused.”

Wednesday’s Women’s Luncheon continued the theme of influence while also focusing on mentorship. Dr. Tracie Noriega, ACSA’s senior director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Professional Learning, asked a panel of women leaders how they sponsor colleagues in the leadership pipeline.

“Being available all the time for emerging superintendents is a must for all of us,” said retired superintendent and former ACSA President Parvin Ahmadi. “It isn’t about, ‘make an appointment on this day.’ It’s: ‘I need you now, and I need this support.’”

Superintendent Dr. Julie Vitale of Oceanside Unified School District emphasized forming relationships “before you need them.”

“Make connections with the police department, the fire department, your city manager,” she said. “Make those connections so they’ll pick up the phone.”

Thursday’s keynote speaker Adam Welcome centered his comments on doing what’s best for every student, including modernizing the classroom. Welcome is a former principal-turned-author and motivational speaker.

“The best discipline program is an engaged classroom,” Welcome said. “Get them involved in thinking critically. It’s 2026 — take your worksheets back.”

ACSA’s Governmental Relations department co-hosted its own session on advocacy strategies, along with ACSA Vice President of Legislative Action Jared Hungerford and Legislative Policy Committee Chair Cheryl Jordan.

Hungerford gave advice about connecting with local legislators and building relationships when they visit school sites.

“Tie those (site) visits to something unique,” he said. “Inform your community, inform stakeholders if you invite members to your site. And keep in mind the politics.”

The symposium concluded Friday with a panel discussion on the fiscal and political landscape of California education in 2026. Zazueta moderated the conversation with Dr. Patti Herrera, president of School Services of California, and Kevin Gordon, president of Capitol Advisors Group.

Herrera provided insight on the difference in state budget estimates between the Legislative Analyst’s Office and Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration, noting both valued AI industry growth differently.

“The LAO does not believe the increase in valuations of AI industries will persist through 2026, and the governor believes it will,” Herrera said. “If revenues come down lower from what the governor estimates in the next five months, where it puts education funding at risk is — is the governor going to be able to afford the (discretionary) block grant?”