2026 CSBA Counties Conference: Full Schedule

Welcome to the 2026 CSBA Counties Conference!

This conference provides a unique opportunity for county board leaders to come together and discuss students’ futures in light of domestic policies and global trends. County board members, superintendents and educational partners from throughout the state will come together to gain valuable knowledge and information in three key areas: advocacy, governance and policy; funding, workforce and educational access; student well-being, safety and success.

As the role of county offices of education (COEs) continues to evolve, CSBA is committed to providing COE board members with the necessary tools and information to become effective elected education leaders. The program will feature member-led workshops, micro-trainings, networking opportunities, and more—offering attendees practical strategies, peer-driven insights, and ample chances to connect and collaborate with colleagues from across California. It is a must-attend event for county board leaders!

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Visit Marina del Rey
View the CSBA Counties Conference Marina del Rey Visitor Guide to find information about local events, restaurants and attractions. Discover what the beautiful coastal city of Marina del Rey has to offer its visitors.

If you require any assistance during your stay in Marina del Rey, please visit the registration desk outside the California Ballroom in the Outer Foyer located on the Lobby Level of the Marina del Rey Marriott.

3:00pm PDT

Micro-training: CSBA Policy Toolkit

Friday September 25, 2026 3:00pm - 3:30pm PDT

California Ballroom, Lobby Level

Strong governance begins with strong policy. This interactive micro-training will introduce the CSBA Policy Toolkit and demonstrate how trustees can use its resources to strengthen policy literacy, engage community stakeholders, and develop effective, equitable policies that support student success. Participants will leave with practical strategies for making policy development a more informed and impactful part of board governance.

Speakers

Mary Briggs

Senior Director, Research and Education Policy Development, CSBA

Mary Gardner Briggs is Senior Director of Research and Education Policy Development at the California School Boards Association (CSBA), where she leads efforts to advance school governance and address critical policy issues facing California's TK–12 public schools. Since joining CSBA in 2016, she... Read More →

Tezeta Stewartz

Senior Director, Policy and Governance Technology Services, CSBA

Policy Tools for Effective Governance Counties Conference Sept 2026 pdf

Friday September 25, 2026 3:00pm - 3:30pm PDT
California Ballroom, Lobby Level

Micro-training

3:30pm PDT

Micro-training: Legislative Committee Spotlight: Representing County Voices

Friday September 25, 2026 3:30pm - 3:45pm PDT

California Ballroom, Lobby Level

The CSBA Legislative Committee plays a critical role in shaping the Association's advocacy priorities and ensuring county perspectives are represented in the legislative process. Whether you have considered serving on the committee or simply want to better understand its work, this session will provide an inside look at how the committee operates, why county representation matters, and how trustees can become more engaged in advancing policies that support students and county offices of education.

Speakers

Annette Lewis

Region 14 Director, Contra Costa COE

Annette Lewis currently serves as the CSBA Region 14 Director representing the county boards of education on the CSBA Board of Directors. She is part of the Legislative Committee.

She was elected to the Contra Costa County Board of Education in 2018 where she continues to serve.
Sh... Read More →

CSBA Governance Process Flyer pdf

Friday September 25, 2026 3:30pm - 3:45pm PDT
California Ballroom, Lobby Level

Micro-training

8:45am PDT

Micro-training: Science of Reading

Saturday September 26, 2026 8:45am - 9:15am PDT

California Ballroom, Lobby Level

Get up to date on key terms, recent legislation, and the literacy landscape in California. Session attendees will learn about policy and governance recommendations for improving literacy and have access to new resources to support their governance responsibilities.

Speakers

Angela Asch

Principal Research Manager, Research and Education Policy Development, CSBA

Angela Asch focuses her research on CSBA’s policy pillars: Conditions of Children and Effective Governance. At CSBA, Angela has authored briefs, fact sheets, blogs, conducted focus groups, and presented on school safety, positive school climate, student and staff mental health and... Read More →

George Ellis

Director of the California Reading & Literature Project, UC Berkeley

George Ellis is the Director of the California Reading & Literature Project (CRLP) at UC Berkeley. In this role, he oversees the annual Teacher Leadership Invitational, collaborates with school districts to advance evidence-based reading initiatives, and consults on projects focused... Read More →

FSheet MTSS for Literacy 2026 pdf

REPD FSheet CA Landscape Literacy 2026 pdf

Science of reading primer 2026 pdf

Additional Resources for Curriculum and Instructional Materials pdf

FactSheet IM LocalRoles REPD 07 2024 pdf

Saturday September 26, 2026 8:45am - 9:15am PDT
California Ballroom, Lobby Level

Micro-training

1:15pm PDT

Micro-training: Supporting High-Quality Mathematics Instruction: The County Office's Role in Curriculum Adoption

Saturday September 26, 2026 1:15pm - 1:45pm PDT

California Ballroom, Lobby Level

Adopting high-quality mathematics instructional materials is more than selecting a curriculum—it is a strategic process that supports student success for years to come. This session will explore the county board's role in adopting instructional materials for county-operated programs while highlighting how County Offices of Education support local educational agencies through the adoption process.

Speakers

Ellen Barger

Associate Superintendent, Santa Barbara COE

Ellen Barger is Associate Superintendent, Curriculum and Instruction for the Santa Barbara County Education Office.

A member of the executive council of CISC (Curricular and Improvement Support Committee), Ellen has been the chair of mathematics subcommittee for more than a decade. She leads mathematics for the California Math, Science, and Computer Science Statewide Partnership (Cal-MSCS), and... Read More →

Saturday September 26, 2026 1:15pm - 1:45pm PDT
California Ballroom, Lobby Level

Micro-training

10:00am PDT

Micro-training: Social Media Do’s and Don’ts

Sunday September 27, 2026 10:00am - 10:30am PDT

California Ballroom, Lobby Level

Social media offers board members valuable opportunities to inform, engage, and connect with their communities—but it also presents legal, ethical, and governance considerations. This fast-paced micro-training will cover practical do's and don'ts, common pitfalls to avoid, and best practices for using social media in a way that builds public trust while supporting your role as a board member.

Speakers

Alisha Kirby

Senior Writer, Communications, CSBA

Alisha Kirby has been a part of CSBA’s communications team for seven years. As a senior writer, she has developed stories highlighting the successes of local educational agencies throughout the state, as well as the numerous challenges they face. In recent years, she has helped... Read More →

Heather Kemp

Senior Writer, Communications, CSBA

Heather Kemp joined CSBA’s communications team in 2021 and currently serves as a senior writer, promoting organizational offerings and showcasing the impressive work that California local educational agencies engage in via the association’s digital and print publications and social... Read More →

Sunday September 27, 2026 10:00am - 10:30am PDT
California Ballroom, Lobby Level

Micro-training

3:00pm PDT

3:30pm PDT

8:45am PDT

1:15pm PDT

10:00am PDT

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