Building Bridges in Education:
Engaging Perspectives, Fiscal Communication,
and Strengthening Labor Relations

September 17, 2024

Navigating Polarizing Topics with Dignity, Civility, and Respect
Recording

• We'll start by discussing educational leaders' obligation to sincerely welcome and productively engage ALL perspectives - and why it matters that the full breadth of your community sees themselves represented and truly feels they belong in your schools.
  
• Engaging students in your communications not only helps to keep your mission front and center during politically and/or emotionally charged conversations, it  actually encourages adults to behave better. As an added benefit, bringing your community's focus to your local students and their needs also helps to breaks through the polarized national talking points that can otherwise derail productive dialogue.
  
• Explore how AI can help you expand your perspective, familiarize yourself with opposing viewpoints, and practice hard conversations. We'll walk you through this tool step-by-step and give you a handout you can follow later.
  
• Walk away with practical strategies to organize public meetings that minimize opportunities for extremists and people who are hostile to monopolize and sidetrack the purpose of your gatherings.

October 29, 2024

• Whether or not you've got a fiscal measure on the ballot this school year, no district is immune from the need to communicate complex fiscal realities right now.
  
• We'll talk about why now is the time to start these conversations, especially when you've got ballot measures or reductions on the horizon.
  
• Explore ways to simply school financial topics and make them understandable to busy school employees, families, and the general public.
  
• Learn how to message complexities like investments in professional development or the continuation of grant-funded activities during budget reductions, as well as important considerations when implementing RIFs.

February 4, 2025

• Labor leaders and school district administrators have different roles to play, and relationships are stronger when everyone understands those roles.
  
• We'll explore ways to keep open lines of communication to minimize surprises.
  
• Discuss some of the most common mistakes even well-meaning school / district leaders make, and how to avoid them.
  
• Walk away with practical ideas—from meeting formats to conversation starters—you can bring back to your own district.