The Board Table

Let us know what you think! With nearly 500,000 students in rural areas in North Carolina, our state is responsible for educating more students in rural communities than almost any other state in the country. These students and the schools they attend need distinct types of support and leaders who recognize how to best help them succeed. On this episode, we are joined by someone who has built a ca...

Let us know what you think! Overseeing student accountability, achievement, and success are core parts of being a local school leader. Although this principle is simple enough at face value, it can be complicated to put into practice. On this episode, we are joined by an expert who is known for bringing practical solutions to the world of student support and achievement. Dr. John Hodge is the Chie...

Let us know what you think! Respect, trust, and teamwork. These three words are taught and lived out every day in our public schools but often get lost in business between school boards and county boards. What can local leaders do to overcome differences, align their priorities, and – most importantly – get results for students in their district? In Dare County, they have answered this question th...

Let us know what you think! The best leaders know how to make the right connections and build strong networks in order to get the best results. This is especially true in the work of a school board member, where partnerships mean success for your district and better outcomes for students. To zoom in on one example of a North Carolina school district partnering with other local leaders and entities...

Let us know what you think! Are you prepared to respond to a reporter’s phone call about a polarizing post made on your school district’s Facebook page? Does your school board have a plan for communicating with your community about upcoming district budget cuts? How will you talk with the students and families affected by the proposed closing of their school? Are there issues that concern you—even...

Let us know what you think! While many schools take a break for summer, hunger never takes a day off. That is why you’ll find approximately 3,000 meal sites operating in communities across North Carolina during summer breaks. These meal sites serve students over 80,000 meals on a daily basis to those in need and, in turn, give families full stomachs and peace of mind. In this episode, guests from...

Let us know what you think! In a time when opinions are polarized, headlines are muddled, and unity seems like a bygone idea, how is anyone supposed to get a persuasive message through to people? When narratives cast public schools as “failing” and families feel that they are in need of alternatives, how can local school district leaders and public education supporters make a stand? One school dis...

Let us know what you think! To lead effectively, you’ve got to know who you’re leading. Where are they from? Where are they going? What brings them to your community? In order to make sound policy decisions and forecast budgets that respond to the evolving needs of students and their families, local leaders need objective and reliable data. This information is critical in explaining why many schoo...

Let us know what you think! Each state in the union has outlined their own set of foundational liberties, rights, and opportunities that guide the everyday lives of generations to come. Though each state contains its own distinct set of obligations for its respective government, there are common threads, and an important commonality is that of education. In all 50 states, each constitution establi...

Let us know what you think! What if there was an approach that could lessen the current challenges in setting school district budgets while also making the most of local taxes by using a more efficient process? In this episode, NCSBA Assistant Director of Communications Ben Christoph talks with Earnest Winston about the current authority to levy local taxes to support public schools, the pros and...

Let us know what you think! In this special election series of The Board Table , we sit down with Maurice “Mo” Green, candidate for North Carolina’s State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Green's prior experience includes leading the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, serving as superintendent of Guilford County Schools, and working as general counsel for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. In thi...

Let us know what you think! In this special election series of The Board Table, we sit down with Michele Morrow, candidate for North Carolina’s State Superintendent of Public Instruction. As a candidate, Morrow brings experience as a nurse, education advocate, and member of a homeschool teaching coalition. In this discussion with NCSBA's Ben Christoph, Morrow shares her views on the state of...

Let us know what you think! In this episode of The Board Table, NCSBA Legal Counsel Christine Scheef chats with Justice Warren, NCSBA’s Assistant Legal Counsel, about the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in the  Lindke v. Freed social media case and how it affects board members social media liability and policies.  NCSBA is the professional organization that represents local boards of education...

Let us know what you think! In this episode of The Board Table, NCSBA Legal Counsel Christine Scheef chats with Maya Weinstein, an attorney at Tharrington Smith, about the multi-district lawsuit against social media companies. While Tharrington Smith is not directly involved in the litigation, they have advised boards as they considered whether to join the lawsuit. Christine and Maya discuss the t...

Let us know what you think! Cyber attacks against schools and school districts are occurring with increased frequency and sophistication. These attacks can and will significantly impact a district’s core operations and can jeopardize the release of highly sensitive information about students and staff.  In this episode, Michael McClanahan, Public Entity Program Manager with Victor Insurance Servic...

Let us know what you think! Political discussions in the classroom…that can get complicated. The debate on how and to what degree these conversations should occur has gained increased attention over the years, leaving many of our school board members unsure if it can be done. Join Amber Horton  as they talk with associate professor at NC State University and educational specialist in non-partisan...

Let us know what you think! The North Carolina Center for Safer Schools (“CFSS”) is the state’s clearinghouse for information, resources, and training on public school safety. In this episode, Karen Fairley, Executive Director of the Center for Safer Schools, and Forrest Fallanca, NCSBA’s Assistant Litigation Counsel, discuss House Bill 605’s establishment of Threat Assessment Teams and several ot...

Let us know what you think! On this episode, NCSBA's Director of Board Development and Technology, Ramona Powers, talks with Thom Fladung with Hennes Communications about crisis communication. Thom offers valuable suggestions for school board consideration. NCSBA is the professional organization that represents local boards of education in North Carolina. It is a member-driven association tha...

Let us know what you think! Over 80% of a school district's budget is spent on personnel expenses and yet, across North Carolina, districts are continually struggling with attracting and retaining top talent. In this episode, Dr. Amy Holcombe, human capital expert and Dean of Stout School of Education at High Point University, shares her expertise with Assistant Director of Board Development,...

Let us know what you think! As the old adage says, the world belongs to those who read. However, historically boys and men have been less drawn to reading and studies are showing this has created a widening gender gap in reading ability and comprehension. Join Dr. Steve Stone, associate professor at Gardner Webb University, and Dr. Tina Alexander, an academic dean in NC, as they discuss with NCSBA...

Let us know what you think! Innovative intervention is the motto behind how Elkin City Schools and Appalachian State University work together. On this episode of the board table, Amber Horton talks with Dr. Myra Cox, Superintendent of Elkin City Schools, Dr. Hannah Reeder, Assistant Dean of the Reich College of Education at Appalachian State University and Dr. Betsy Rosenbalm, Director of the Publ...

Let us know what you think! On this episode of The Board Table, Bruce Mildwurf, Director of Governmental Relations at NCSBA, sits down with his two assistant directors, Madison Skeens and Rob Black, to discuss the senate budget and compare with what the house budget contained. Listen in! NCSBA is the professional organization that represents local boards of education in North Carolina. It is a mem...

Let us know what you think! On Thursday April 6, the NC House of Representatives passed their version of the budget. Bruce Mildwurf, Director of Governmental Relations with NCSBA and Madison Skeens and Rob Black, Assistant Directors of Governmental Relations with NCSBA, discuss many of the education items in the budget. NCSBA is the professional organization that represents local boards of educati...

Let us know what you think! NCSBA Director of Governmental Relations Bruce Mildwurf sits down with Geoff Coltrane, senior education advisor to the Governor, to discuss Governor Cooper's budget proposal. NCSBA is the professional organization that represents local boards of education in North Carolina. It is a member-driven association that supports the school governance team—school board memb...

Let us know what you think! On this episode of The Board Table, Christina Davoile, NCSBA’s executive assistant and communications specialist speaks with Lisa Carnes from Fairbanks, LLC regarding expected changes in Medicaid to come in 2023.  NCSBA is the professional organization that represents local boards of education in North Carolina. It is a member-driven association that supports the school...