2025 VIRTUAL WINTER RETREAT
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Thank you to our Generous Sponsors
Complete Agenda for Monday, February 24 (with Zoom Links)
8:00 - 8:30 AM
Welcome
Tim Yeomans, Debi Brazelton & Marsha Benjamin Moyer
8:30 - 10:00 AM
Session A
How to Nail Your Next Personnel Investigation
Jackie Gharapour Wernz
ERC Solutions
Join us for an insightful session with an expert on school investigations to learn how to conduct thorough, legally sound investigations of school personnel matters. Gain practical strategies to navigate complex cases, ensure compliance with legal standards, and limit the risk of legal and administrative challenges. Don't miss this opportunity to strengthen your investigative skills to help effectively manage personnel issues in your district.
Session B— Featured at AASPA
You Belong Here! How to Promote Belonging at Every Step of the Employee Life Cycle
Jeffrey Hunt, Sean McDonald, & Matthew Wygal
Prince William County Schools, Manassas, Virginia
The secret formula to belonging is no secret; the number one driver of employee engagement & retention is their sense of belonging. Are your employees able to be their authentic selves in the workplace? How can you promote this at every step of the employee cycle? This interactive session will provide attendees with both actions & measures that can be implemented in any district, regardless of size, to enhance belonging in employee recruitment, selection, onboarding & retention. Please join us as we showcase how Prince William County Public Schools is ensuring the thriving futures of our employees & students & how these practices deliver results in any organization.
Session C
Workplace Accommodations
Charlie Burr & Karlee Demos
Learning and Development Specialists with the State of Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI)
All employees need the right tools and work environment to perform their jobs. This informative and interactive session will cover the wide range of accommodation issues that may arise in the workplace and present legal obligations for employers. Discover tips, best practices and bring your questions for Q&A with BOLI representatives.
10:30 AM – Noon
Session A— Featured at AASPA
Crafting a Culture of Belonging
Kristin Carroll & Tonya Whitehurst
Putnam County School District, Palatka, FL
Culture is more than just a set of values & norms. It’s a powerful tool that can help you attract, retain & motivate your employees. How do you leverage your culture to create a positive & memorable onboarding experience for your new hires? In this session, you will learn how culture can be used to engage your new recruits by fostering a sense of belonging from the onset & empower them to succeed well beyond the first day of school. Join us as we show you how we have transformed a stagnant & rigid orientation to a personal & relevant onboarding process.
Session B
March 15th To Do's
Elizabeth Polay & Rebekah Jacobsen
Garrett Hemann Robertson P.C.
Elizabeth Polay and Rebekah Jacobson will review best practices to prepare for the March 15 non-renewal deadline for licensed employees before moving into a discussion of the most common tricky scenarios human resources professionals are faced with in addressing employee performance issues.
1:00 – 2:30 PM
Session A— Featured at AASPA
Difficult Employee Conversations
Jodie Graham
Ankeny Community School District, Polk County, IA
Engaging in productive & meaningful difficult conversations can be challenging. However, shying away from difficult conversations can be devastating to your culture & your district’s productivity. This session will be a 30-minute workshop designed to equip you with resources to take back to your district to train your people managers how to be more effective in navigating difficult employee conversations.
Session B— Featured at AASPA
Righting the Ship Without Rocking the Boat
Phil Georgia & Gabe Cappozzo
Lake Forest School District, Lake Forest IL & Beach Park School District, FL
Everyone makes mistakes! As HR leaders, the growth & retention of employees can be significantly increased when we approach situations with a corrective & supportive perspective. This session will review the essential components of a thorough investigation & how to effectively document facts, set expectations & mitigate risk. Participants will receive draft templates & other practical resources that provide guidance & save time.
3:00 – 4:00 PM
Featured at AASPA
X, Y, and Z in the Workplace
Dr. Cindy Sims & Mr. Chris Pash
Estancia Municipal Schools, Estancia, NM
This presentation will provide ideas on being successful in a workplace with multiple generations. We will be highlighting generations X, Y & Z, and provide suggestions to keep the peace with the different styles each brings to the table
Complete Agenda for Tuesday, February 25 (with Zoom Links)
8:00 – 9:30 AM
Not in Our School: The Administrator's Role in Preventing and Addressing Bullying
Therese Holmstrom & Amy Lopez
OSBA
Bullying is everywhere. OSBA attorneys will discuss the important role of administrators in recognizing bullying, applying effective prevention techniques, and taking appropriate corrective action to address bullying in our schools.
10:00 – 11:30 AM
Executive Orders and Executive Actions
Michael Porter
Miller Nash L.L.P.
In only a few weeks since the new presidential administration began, there has been a flurry of activity. From executive orders, budget memos, Department of Education statements, and litigation. This session will address what school human resources professionals should be attentive to in this fluid situation of federal activity.
12:30 – 2:00 PM
Employment Litigation for HR Professionals
Lisa Shevlin & Christine Sargent
Littler Mendelson P.C.
Join employment attorneys Lisa Shevlin and Christine Sargent for a big picture overview of what to expect if (and when) your organization faces employment claims in the context of demand letters, administrative charges, and/or lawsuits. This presentation will include tips for best HR practices that will help avoid and defend against employment claims, e.g., best practices for documentation and records retention, how and when to respond to wage claims, and when to get outside counsel involved. You won’t want to miss this important refresher!
2:00 – 3:30 PM
Navigating Union Requests: Best Practices for Effective Communication and Compliance
Brian Hungerford
Hungerford Law Firm
This session will provide essential strategies for handling Requests for Information (RFIs) submitted by unions, focusing on discerning the appropriate information to share while protecting sensitive data, such as specific student information. Participants will learn how to effectively organize responses, understand timelines, and differentiate between handling voluminous versus concise requests. Additionally, the presentation will cover best practices for responding to formal union communications, including grievances and bargaining demands, amidst the growing trend of electronic communication. Attendees will gain practical skills to navigate these challenges confidently, ensuring compliance while maintaining constructive relations with unions. Join us to equip yourself with the tools necessary to manage these evolving demands in the workplace.