The decisions district leaders make today will have impacts on students, perhaps for the rest of their lives. As districts welcome students back to campuses following school closures, careful attention must be paid to the mental, emotional, academic and health needs of students, as well as the needs of site-leaders, teachers and staff.

ACSA’s Superintendents’ Symposium is a chance for district and county education leaders to come together and share their strategies for “Creating a Thoughtful Future by Taking Action Now.” The 2021 Superintendents’ Symposium online virtual conference will be live Jan. 27-29, 2021. This is the only ACSA conference designed just for district and county leaders and provides a vital space to prepare for the opportunities and challenges they will face in the new year.

Superintendents will hear from Heather McGee, an expert on inequality and author of the upcoming book “The Sum Of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together,” and Pedro A. Noguera, the Distinguished Professor of Education at the Graduate School of Education and Information Studies and Faculty Director for the Center for the Transformation of Schools at UCLA.

As always, the conference will devote time to analyze the governor’s proposed budget, but considerable time will also be given to discussions on safely reopening schools, as well as transitioning learning to post-COVID practices. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond will join a panel to discuss legislatives updates. Sessions will also focus on integrating technology into curriculum and professional development in a digital world. Other sessions include: “Superintendent Challenges of High Stakes Decision-Making,” a special panel featuring “Student Voices on the COVID-19 Experience,” and a session with ACSA legal support team members John Almond and Lloyd Wamhof on “Superintendent Contracts.”

There are many demands being placed on superintendents during this pandemic. The online Superintendents’ Symposium will not be another one of them. The virtual format will enable superintendents to attend from their home, office or anywhere there is an internet connection. The conference agenda includes one full day of content (Thursday) and two half-days of content (Wednesday and Friday), so you can find balance between professional development and the important work of leading your district.

This is not another webinar. ACSA’s online conference platform has interactive features that will allow you to connect with presenters, ask questions of keynotes and participate in breakout discussions. Join the conversation and help provide insights that will deepen the learning for your fellow superintendents.

New superintendents will not want to miss this chance to attend an exclusive online pre-conference held Tuesday and Wednesday prior to the start of the Superintendents’ Symposium. Get an overview of important topics for new superintendents, including collective bargaining, evaluation and district culture, plus an unparalleled opportunity to form a network of job-alike peers. Superintendent mentors Ralph G. Porras (ACSA State Past President 2016-17 and Pacific Grove Unified School District Superintendent) and Trudy Arriaga (retired Superintendent and New Superintendent Seminar Series facilitator) will be joined by experienced and recently hired superintendents who can provide insights to those new to the role. Add this workshop to your Superintendents’ Symposium registration for just $99 for ACSA members.

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