[caption id="attachment_271" align="alignleft" width="200"]<img class="wp-image-271 size-medium" src="https://www.vsba.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Gina_NEW-2018-200x300.jpg" alt="Gina Patterson, Executive Director" width="200" height="300"> Gina Patterson, Executive Director[/caption]
<h3><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">From the Executive Director</span> </strong></h3>
The VSBA just finished wrapping up the last of the 2022 Spring Regional Networking Meetings last week.  The Blue Ridge Region closed out our 2022 Regional Meetings.  Unfortunately, because of advance planning, and most of the regional meetings being hosted in a school building, the regional meetings were all virtual.  Hopefully next year we will be able to have the nine regional meetings in person. The regional officers did a wonderful job find timely speakers, and entertainment for the meetings.  As I say each year, and this year is no exception, the artwork each year is amazing. If you haven’t had a chance, please go on the VSBA website and checkout the winning art from this year. <a href="https://www.vsba.org/resources/competitions-and-challenges/spring-regional-art-contest/">Click here to view the 2022 student artwork.</a>

As the school year start to slow down, it is a perfect time to schedule a customized board retreat. VSBA recommends every governance team (the board and superintendent) hold a retreat at least once a year.  A small investment of time in targeted board development can pay big dividends. You may have new members as of January or new ones coming on in July, perfect timing for a retreat.  VSBA offers customized facilitated trainings, based on the individual needs of the governance teams.  By meeting at the VSBA Center for Board Development in Charlottesville, it allows the board to meet in an environment that is unrestricted by routines, and just focus on the work of the board.  It allows for more time for discussion, creative thinking, and strategic planning.  Remember, a retreat is a good time to also introduce and discuss new topics, and is a time for the board to do reset. Governance team retreats are more effective when attended by all members of the board, and superintendent. There doesn’t necessarily need to be an issue to schedule a retreat, in fact it is better to schedule prior to one arriving, as it provides tools and resources to handle those times when crucial conversation is needed. Though the purposes for retreats vary, the main point is to use this opportunity to accomplish something that can’t be done through routine meetings, that don’t allow boards to stop and reflect on how they can do things differently.

<em>Some of the most requested retreat topics<strong>:</strong></em>
<ul>
 	<li>Roles and Responsibilities</li>
 	<li>Division Goal Setting</li>
 	<li>Superintendent Evaluation</li>
 	<li>Improving Communication Skills</li>
 	<li>Conflict Resolution</li>
 	<li>Board Operating Procedures (Norms/Protocols)</li>
 	<li>Trust and Teamwork</li>
 	<li>Board Self-Evaluation</li>
 	<li>Managing Effective Meetings</li>
 	<li>New Superintendent Transition</li>
</ul>
Please reach out to VSBA Assistant Executive Director Tom Brewster (<a href="mailto:tom@vsba.org">tom@vsba.org</a>) for additional information on VSBA’s offerings to our member board.

We look forward to seeing you next month at the VSBA Annual School Law Conference in Richmond.  With so many policies and laws changing constantly, it is important for all school board members to be current on these changes.  <a href="https://www.vsba.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/School-Law-Conference-Brochure-2022.pdf">Click here to view the Law Conference brochure.</a>

Thanks for all that you do.