Nominate a learning session

What makes the OSBA Capital onference so powerful is the learning driven by school district teams and education experts who share proven strategies and real-world results. It’s through this shared learning experience that we can move Ohio public education forward together.

If you have a strategy, case study or lesson learned that is making a meaningful difference in your district, we want to hear from you! Share your expertise: OSBA is accepting session proposals through March 6.

Nominate a session

Keys to an engaging presentation proposal

Know the popular topics

As you craft your proposal, consider the challenges your district successfully navigated this year, how you have improved student achievement and the professional insights you can share with colleagues.

Consider the presentation format

Attendees want to learn in an engaging format, so consider a panel discussion, role-play scenario or interactive Q&A.

Demonstrate your expertise

Include your experience with the subject matter in the proposal. Invite a co-presenter to assist with your presentation if they can aid in creating a more well-rounded presentation.

Follow the proposal guidelines

Proposals must be submitted by March 6 and must be complete to be considered. Be sure to include an engaging title, brief presentation summary and three learning objectives.

Guidelines for submitting a successful proposal

Nominations should include an engaging title and a brief session description plus three key learning objectives that define how the session will support attendees' knowledge and skills for use in their districts. All presenters must be registered for the OSBA Capital Conference. See below for additional guidance for school districts, universities, civic organizations and vendors submissions.

Submission guidelines for OSBA member districts, universities and civic organizations

Multiple session nominations may be submitted for consideration.
Nominations must be complete to qualify for consideration.
Ensure your description clearly and concisely depicts the presentation content so attendees can select sessions with confidence. Be sure to include three learning objectives for your session that indicate how attendees can apply this content in their district.
Selected presenters and co-presenters must be registered for the conference.
Presenters agree to supply handout materials (presentation slide decks or other materials) for electronic distribution to attendees by Friday, Oct. 23.

Nominate a session

Submission guidelines for vendor presentations

Selected vendor presenters and co-presenters must be registered for the conference and confirmed exhibitors in the Trade Show.
Selected vendor presenters and co-presenters must be joined by a co-presenter(s) from a member school district.
Multiple session nominations may be submitted for consideration.
Nominations must be complete to qualify for consideration.
Ensure your description clearly and concisely depicts the presentation content so attendees can select sessions with confidence. Be sure to include three learning objectives for your session that indicate how attendees can apply this content in their district.
Presenters agree to supply handout materials (presentation slide decks or other materials) for electronic distribution to attendees by Friday, Oct. 23.

Nominate a session

Review options for session format

We're seeking a variety of presentation styles and lengths. Attendees want to learn in an engaging format, so consider:

a panel discussion
role-play scenarios
tabletop exercises
an interactive Q&A session.

Session options:

Spark Sessions: 10-minute presentation on a best practice or program
Concurrent learning session: 60-minute session that can feature a panel discussion, tabletop exercises or interactive Q&A.
Spotlight Session: A two-hour session that delves into a topic, often through a panel discussion, interactive presentation or mini workshop.

Suggested focus areas and potential topics

Session focus areas act as a guide to help attendees make the most of their conference learning opportunities and locate the programs most appropriate to their interests and roles. Below are the listing of focus areas, as well as possible topics, you may select as appropriate for your session. Please note that you are not limited to the topics below; we welcome fresh ideas and new approaches from your district.

Administration, communications and leadership

Communicating in polarized times: Centering purpose, navigating crucial conversations and meeting communities where they are
Public education in a changing legislative landscape: Vouchers, advocacy and the nonpartisan role of schools
From complexity to clarity: Communicating high-stakes issues in 90 seconds or less
Building grassroots support: Strategies for community engagement and advocacy
Countering negative narratives: Telling your district’s story through student success
Crisis communications and reputation management for school leaders
Effective use of social media for public schools and boards
Working with business advisory councils to strengthen district and workforce connections
Levies, property taxes and public trust: Communicating financial issues with confidence
Understanding and promoting the role of ESCs in supporting districts
Shared services as a strategy for sustainability and collaboration
Family engagement as a leadership priority
Effective home district/career centers partnerships
Using artificial intelligence in schools: Pros, cons and impact
Succession planning in your district
Mentoring administrators
Promoting the value of public education in your community
Explaining legal mandates to your community 
Effectively sharing your district story
Combating negative expectations around public education
Building and leading effective teams

District operations, finance and facilities

Preparing for property tax reform: Financial planning and community communication
Vouchers, consolidation and resource scarcity: Operational impacts and strategic responses
Explaining big changes to your community: Vouchers, property taxes, levies and consolidation made understandable
Shared resources and services: Doing more together when resources are tight
Managing scarcity: Operational strategies for staffing, facilities, transportation and services
Organizing for advocacy: Practical tools for keeping your community informed and engaged
Data, technology and transparency in district operations
How to effectively use artificial intelligence
Cybersecurity/cyber safety for schools
Best practices in school transportation
Navigating a natural disaster within your school district
Maintaining operations when a school building is out of commission
School safety options: A case study
Navigating a natural disaster within your school district
Maintaining operations when a school building is out of commission
Negotiations: tactics and an outlook on the current landscape
Levy success stories: Best practices and how to effectively message financial challenges to your community
Building local business/booster support for your district
Strategies to help smaller districts effectively increase their funding
Understanding district finances: Questions boards should ask if facing a financial crisis
From reaction to prevention: Financial red flags and early intervention
In-house wrap-around services for students and staff
Safety and security resources and how to obtain them

Student achievement, learning and engagement

The big picture: Where public education is headed and what it means for students
School readiness and early learning transitions
Supporting students through ESCs, career centers and community partnerships
Understanding report cards, testing and accountability measures
Addressing barriers to learning: Homelessness, trauma and unstable home environments
Family engagement that works: From parent academies to community partnerships
Community schools as community hubs
Student voice matters: Student representatives, leadership and board engagement
Innovation in action: Lessons from district innovation and learning centers
AI in education: opportunities, challenges and classroom impact
Achievement recovery/learning loss and recovery
Facility designs to improve student engagement and achievement
Academic opportunities impacting student retention
From graduation to a job: Certification and mentorship programs
Supporting gifted programs
Strategies for student support teams
From high poverty to high-achieving schools: Best practices and funding options
District programs that support students: Hope Squad, Character Lab
Getting students and families back to public schools

Human resources and talent management

Crucial conversations for school leaders and boards
The impact of property tax reform on staffing and personnel costs
District consolidation and its HR implications
Hiring 101: Roles, responsibilities, and legal considerations
Effective superintendent and treasurer evaluations
Transitions: Planning for leadership changes in your district
Recruiting great teachers to your district
Grow your own teacher/district workforce

Governance, policy and board leadership

Governance during financial crisis: Questions every board should ask
Crucial conversations and board responsibilities
Making legislative issues understandable for your community
Legal and policy essentials for board members
Countering rumors and misinformation: Governance through transparent communication
Understanding and communicating the role of ESCs
AI policies and governance: preparing boards for what’s next
Kindergarten readiness as a governance issue
Leading in the age of misinformation: Information literacy for school boards
Advocating for your district: Tips for effective legislative engagement
Board and community relations
From the board table: Board member panel sharing best practices
Role-playing session on advocating for your district: messaging and best practices
Incorporating student voice into your board meetings
Tips for sharing your district story with legislators
Building an effective relationship between your board and district administration
Becoming an effective advocate for your district
The board member’s role in student achievement
Community-driven strategic plans
Student representatives on school boards
Effectively managing board meetings

ESCs and career centers

The value of educational service centers: What they do and why it matters
Leveraging ESCs and career centers to expand student opportunity
Scaling high-quality special education through regional design
Beyond compliance: Multi-tiered systems of support as a shared service
Serving students with the most complex needs: Educational, legal and fiscal responsibilities for boards and ESCs
Telling the regional story: Using ESC partnerships to strengthen public trust in public schools
Families at the center: Regional strategies for engaging hard-to-reach communities
Doing more with less: High-impact shared services that protect the classroom
AI, data and cybersecurity as regional services
Coordinating services and classes between career centers and home districts
Leveraging career center partnerships for workforce development
Identifying apprenticeship programs for upcoming career pathways
How students can offset college costs through apprenticeships and certifications
In-demand masteries and certifications
Preparing today’s students for the workforce of tomorrow
Partnerships that lead to careers after high school