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COSSBA Connection - May 2025

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In this Issue:


It Has Been Quite A Journey

By Dr. Thomas Bertrand


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On June 30, 2025, my time with COSSBA and 40-year career in service to education will come to an end as I retire, for the third and final time.


I first retired in 2018 as a school superintendent and educator after 33 years. In 2023, I retired again as the Executive Director of the Illinois Association of School Boards. However, when the challenge of launching a new national organization to serve school boards presented itself, I embraced the opportunity to “climb one more mountain.” One of my favorite quotes from Fred Rogers remains true: “Often when you are at the end of something, you’re at the beginning of something else.”

It has been quite a journey. I have often been asked what it was like to start a new, national organization “from scratch.” The two words that came to mind often during the first year were “exhilarating” and “terrifying.”

One rarely gets the opportunity to take a journey like the one I have been on for the past 2 years. I am proud of the work of the team at COSSBA and grateful for the support of our state associations, their executive directors, and the many school board members that I have encountered. Our progress in just two full years of operation has been remarkable, and it would not have been possible without the support of so many dedicated individuals. The consortium is well-positioned for continued success and growth as I pass the baton to Dr. Kathy McFarland. I know that Dr. McFarland will take COSSBA to new heights.

I do not need to remind anyone who works with public schools that these are challenging times. When under constant attack and scrutiny, one can lose focus, joy, and optimism. Yet critical goals such as closing achievement gaps, ensuring academic excellence for every child, educating informed citizens, ensuring safe schools, promoting healthy children, and preparing a skilled workforce of the future must be pursued—regardless of the noise—because they are worthy, regardless of the hurdles we must overcome.

As school leaders, students look to us, and we must demonstrate optimism. Optimism requires a positive belief about the future. If children see despair around them, they may conclude that this will be their destiny. However, if leaders show optimism and a positive future, children also have a better chance of being optimistic about their futures.


I often say that if our public schools are to remain the cornerstone of our democracy, the pathway to opportunity and a better life for every child, then we need healthy, high-functioning governance teams comprised of dedicated, focused school board members. Board members who block out the noise around them, remain focused on the task at hand, and model the optimism and resilience we want to instill in our next generation of citizens.


I wish you the best and will continue to cheer for COSSBA’s success from afar.



Dr. Kathy McFarland Takes Helm July 1

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Dr. Kathy McFarland becomes just the second Executive Director for the Consortium of State School Boards Association, effective July 1. Before taking the helm, she spoke with Dr. Dean Langdon, director of member services, about her plans for COSSBA.




As a relatively new organization, COSSBA has established a strong foundation. What is your vision for COSSBA going forward?

COSSBA has laid an impressive foundation rooted in collaboration, innovation, and a clear commitment to supporting state associations. My vision moving forward is to build on that momentum by positioning COSSBA as a go-to national resource—a trusted partner that brings value every day to our members’ work with local school boards. That means elevating our programming, expanding opportunities for learning, and using data and research to inform practice and policy. I also envision a more visible national presence—one that actively shapes federal policy discussions and reinforces the vital role of local governance in public education.

As a state association Executive Director, what is your sense of how COSSBA can better serve state associations, both large and small?

Having led a state association, I deeply understand the distinct challenges that come with different sizes, structures, and district needs. COSSBA can best serve all associations by being agile and intentional in its support, offering scalable tools, customizable resources, and differentiated opportunities for engagement. We must create space for smaller states to learn from larger ones, and vice versa, while ensuring every state’s voice is valued and heard. This means increasing individualized outreach, establishing more member-led advisory groups, and expanding leadership development initiatives that address a variety of contexts and capacities.

COSSBA needs to continue to speak to the local school board. How can we be visible and relevant to the local board?

To remain visible and relevant to local boards, COSSBA must partner closely with state associations to create messaging, tools, and training that reflect the realities board members face in their communities. This includes highlighting success stories from the ground, producing shareable resources that communicate the impact of local governance, and ensuring that board members see themselves in COSSBA’s mission. While our primary members are state associations, our ultimate beneficiaries are the students that local boards serve. We remain relevant by championing the work of boards and equipping state associations to support them in meaningful, practical ways.

Our Federal Advocacy efforts continue to be very important. Any changes regarding our approach in these interesting political times?

Our approach to federal advocacy must be both strategic and steady. I believe our messaging needs to remain focused on what unites us—supporting students, strengthening communities, and preserving the critical role of locally elected school boards. COSSBA can enhance its advocacy by building stronger coalitions, deepening relationships with federal decision-makers, and equipping our members with consistent, research-informed messages they can echo in their states. We also need to ensure our advocacy is proactive rather than reactive, positioning COSSBA as a nonpartisan but powerful voice for public education and local governance.


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Dr. King Highlights UBA Pre-Conference Day

This article is provided by the Unified Boards Alliance (UBA)


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The Unified Boards Alliance Advisors would like to thank all of those who attended COSSBA’s National Conference – Pre-Conference Day in Atlanta. The event reached full capacity, a true testament to the dedication and enthusiasm of the members and partners.

Attendees were treated to an unforgettable experience, including dynamic keynote addresses from Dr. John Hodge and Dr. Bernice A. King, an inspiring youth panel featuring the GSBA Youth Advisory Council, and an outstanding performance by the talented students from the Westlake Jazz Band and the choir from the Martha Stilwell School of the Arts.

Dr. Berneice A. King, CEO of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change (The King Center) and daughter of civil rights leaders Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, highlighted the necessity of integrating nonviolence into all aspects of life, including education. She discussed the importance of approaching challenges through a lens of nonviolence, cultivating a community where justice, equity and compassion prevail.

She introduced initiatives like Nonviolence365, a program developed by The King Center, which provides training and resources to help individuals and institutions adopt nonviolent approaches to conflict resolution and social change. Dr. King stressed that nonviolence is not passive but requires active engagement and commitment.

Throughout her address, Dr. King called upon attendees to embody the principles of nonviolence in their schools and districts, emphasizing that such an approach is essential for fostering inclusive and equitable educational environments. Her message served as a powerful reminder of the role that nonviolent leadership plays in shaping a just and compassionate society.

As we approach the close of FY25, we’re excited to continue the momentum with our National School Safety Symposium, which will be held June 25–27 in St. Louis, Missouri. This important event is being held in collaboration with the MSBA Center for Education Safety and the Pennsylvania School Safety Institute. Seating is limited, so we encourage you to register soon if you haven’t already!

Again, thank you for your continued support and commitment to student success and school safety. We look forward to seeing you in St. Louis at our next event – the National School Safety Symposium!

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Join Us for the National School Safety Symposium: A Must-Attend Event for School Safety Leaders


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Where Safety Meets Strategy

Ensuring safe and secure schools is more critical than ever, and the 2025 National School Safety Symposium is the premier event for education and safety leaders who are committed to protecting students and staff.

Hosted by COSSBA’s Unified Boards Alliance, in partnership with the Missouri School Boards Association’s Center for Education Safety and the Pennsylvania School Safety Institute, this symposium will be held June 25-27, 2025, at the Marriott Grand in St. Louis, Missouri.

This unique event is designed for school safety teams to attend together. Participants are encouraged to bring their current safety plans for review and enhancement through hands-on sessions and expert-led discussions. Attendees will leave with real-world tools and updated strategies tailored to today’s evolving safety challenges.

Why Attend?

  • Learn from national leaders in school safety, emergency preparedness, and crisis response

  • Gain actionable strategies and best practices from hands-on workshops

  • Strengthen your district’s safety plan and protocols

  • Build connections with peers and professionals across the country

Featured Keynote Speakers:

  • Dr. Melissa Reeves, expert in threat assessment and mental health

  • Frank DeAngelis, former principal of Columbine High School

  • John McDonald, national leader in post-tragedy emergency management planning

  • Michael Dietz, Director of School Safety, Pennsylvania School Boards Association

  • Bruce Hennes, CEO of Hennes Communications, crisis communications specialist

  • Steven McDonald, Director of Training, Safer Schools Together

Who Should Attend?

  • Superintendents

  • District safety personnel

  • School resource officers

  • School communications professionals

  • Law enforcement

  • School board members

Registration Details:

This is more than just a conference; it’s a call to action. Come prepared to connect, collaborate, and lead the way in building safer schools for every student.

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The Artificial Intelligence Era Is Here – How Schools Can Communicate About It Intelligently

By Thom Fladung, Hennes Communications a Legacy Partner


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“Skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been.”

– Wayne Gretzky, hockey legend


The puck, in this case, is artificial intelligence, or AI as it has become ubiquitously known. Your school district probably is using AI or will be soon.


Think now about how AI can help, the implications that come with artificial intelligence, policies or procedures need to be put into place and how you’re going to communicate with the people you care about most – your parents, students, teachers and staff – about your schools’ use of artificial intelligence.

To continue reading, click here.


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PMA – A Financial Partner for School Districts since 1984

Provided by COSSBA Gold Partner PMA

At PMA, our focus is on building a solid foundational relationship with our school district clients across the country. Our mission is to help school districts with comprehensive financial planning and strategic investing with the ultimate goal of creating financial solutions to maximize resources.

PMA delivers our solutions and services via local government investment pools (LGIPs), separately managed accounts (SMAs), term investments, cashflow analysis, bond proceeds management, and municipal advisory services.


To learn more, go to our website here.


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Spring Cleaning Your HR Systems to Do More with Less

Provided by COSSBA Platinum Partner American Fidelity

You know that one office closet where everyone dumps things they’ll deal with later? Finding anything in there can be a labor of love. Well, there's a chance your organization’s Human Resources department could be feeling that way. They're juggling a lot at once, and it might be slowing you down. Is it time to do a little spring cleaning with your systems to improve office efficiency and streamline HR operations? If you're looking for ways to cut down on unnecessary busy work, the answer could be in consolidation.

To continue reading, click here

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