Registration is now open for this professional development conference, which will be held Jan. 24-26, 2024, in Indian Wells. District and county leaders from throughout the state will gather to network, exchange ideas and explore this year’s theme, “Igniting Excellence Together: Collaborative Leadership for Student Success.”

Fremont USD Superintendent and Symposium Planning Committee Chair CJ Cammack said the planning committee chose the theme because “it focuses the work on excellence and possibilities in leadership during this dynamic period in educational leadership, while retaining our focus on success for all students in all circumstances.”

Cammack said the symposium aims to feature workshops, sessions and keynote speakers that address the unique challenges superintendents face, while offering practical and timely support highlighting both the technical and social aspects of leadership and relationships.

“Leadership, in the truest sense, is service to others, and superintendents serve their students, staff, community, and elected officials during one of the most compelling and influential times in public education,” he said. “As we emerge from a crisis that impacted education and every other sphere of life, the return to more familiar challenges is welcome, but the nature of these challenges has changed; schools are expanding their services for students and communities, students need support after major disruptions to their lives in recent years — in addition to the pressures of growing up and navigating a world that changes at the speed of the internet, and school leaders are under intense scrutiny as they try to meet current needs and plan for what lies ahead.”

It’s against this backdrop that Cammack said superintendents have the opportunity and responsibility to lead their organizations with a focus on students.

“Each superintendent serves a unique district that benefits from a rich diversity of students, staff, community, and perspectives., yet key elements of effective leadership are constant for all school leaders,” he said. “The ACSA Superintendents’ Symposium creates the best environment to maximize professional development, relationship building, and a focus on student success. Students are the reason we all work so hard, and our conference is designed to recognize and support the critical role of the superintendent.”

All first- or second-year superintendents are invited to this workshop that will take place Tuesday and Wednesday prior to Superintendents’ Symposium.

Former ACSA President Ralph Porras has directed this workshop for more than a decade and said it is “essential” for navigating the most critical experiences and challenges that a school superintendent must face as the leader of a school community.

“Often the path of a new superintendent can be a bit daunting and presents unique complexities that are difficult to navigate,” he said. “You are not alone, and networking is a vital aspect of successful leadership. This opportunity will provide you with excellent resources and hands-on solutions that can be put to use right away and will assist you in creating invaluable connections with some of the most innovative practitioners, legal partners and advisors in the field today.”

For an additional registration fee ($299), attendees can access this exclusive preconference featuring topics relevant to new superintendents.