COSSBA Update for October 2025
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Date PostedOctober 22, 2025
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CategoryCOSSBA
COSSBA Announces Speakers for 2026 National Conference
The Consortium of State School Boards Associations has announced the keynote and featured speakers for its 2026 National Conference.
The Conference takes place March 13-15, at The Galt House in Louisville, Kentucky, with the United Boards Alliance Preconference Day on March 12.
Phylicia Rashad, a celebrated actor and director, will serve as the keynote speaker on March 13, 2026. Known to millions for her iconic role as Claire Huxtable on The Cosby Show, Rashad is also a celebrated director, making her Broadway directing debut in 2025 with Purpose. Her leadership in the arts extends into higher education, where she served as Dean of the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts at Howard University and now holds the Toni Morrison Endowed Chair in Arts and Humanities
Cultural futurist, author, musician and educational entrepreneur Ravi Hutheesing is the COSSBA National Conference keynote speaker on March 14, 2026. With a history as a rock star, aviator, cultural diplomat, and entrepreneur, he empowers educators, entrepreneurs, and organizations to foster cultural competence in the age of artificial intelligence.
Featured speakers for the UBA Pre-Conference Day include Ralph Simpson, a seasoned educator and influential leader who has dedicated his career to transforming educational environments; Melissa Reeves, a threat assessment and mental health specialist, senior advisor and speaker for Safe and Sound Schools; and Willie Spears, a highly sought-after speaker, critically acclaimed author, educator, and coach.
Registration remains open for the COSSBA National Conference, with early discounted rates available through January 12, 2026.
Upcoming Webinars
COSSBA Government Relations will host a webinar in early November. At a Crossroads: The Federal Budget, Education Funding, and the Future of the U.S. Department of Education will be presented on Thursday, November 6 at 1 p.m. (central time). Gain insights on how recent actions at the U.S. Department of Education could impact local districts, and learn what to expect moving forward.
The United Boards Alliance webinar series continues on November 19, 2025 at 11 a.m. (central time) with Building Stronger Schools - Through Caring and Consistent Discipline. Designed for school board members, district leaders, and administrators, this session will share the principles and practices of progressive discipline, including tiered interventions, clear expectations, and restorative responses. Presenting are Stephanie Long, Chief Student Support Officer for the Pinellas County Schools in Florida and Pinellas County School District Area Superintendent Dywayne Hinds.
COSSBA and UBA webinars are presented free of charge to IASB members. Many past webinars are available to view on demand.
COSSBA Federal Advocacy Conference 2025
In September, 17 IASB school board members and staff traveled to Washington, D.C. for the 2025 COSSBA Federal Advocacy Conference. Illinois school board advocates met with 13 Illinois Representatives and both Illinois Senators to share their stories. In each meeting, IASB was met with support and gratitude for school board members’ work and shared passion for their students.
Learn more about this effort in the IASB Federal Legislative Report 119-07 and in the upcoming issue of the Illinois School Board Journal.
Plan ahead for the next COSSBA Federal Advocacy Conference, September 21-23, 2026.
About COSSBA
Illinois is a founding member of the Consortium of State School Boards Associations. Founded by state school boards associations in 2022, COSSBA is a non-partisan, national alliance dedicated to sharing resources and information to support, promote and strengthen state school boards associations as they serve their local school districts and board members.
The Unified Boards Alliance (UBA) is a program of the COSSBA dedicated to nurturing the development and success of ALL school boards across the nation. UBA offers the necessary tools to successfully tackle the unique challenges found in urban, suburban and rural educational landscapes.
The Consortium of State School Boards Associations has announced the keynote and featured speakers for its 2026 National Conference.
The Conference takes place March 13-15, at The Galt House in Louisville, Kentucky, with the United Boards Alliance Preconference Day on March 12.
Phylicia Rashad, a celebrated actor and director, will serve as the keynote speaker on March 13, 2026. Known to millions for her iconic role as Claire Huxtable on The Cosby Show, Rashad is also a celebrated director, making her Broadway directing debut in 2025 with Purpose. Her leadership in the arts extends into higher education, where she served as Dean of the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts at Howard University and now holds the Toni Morrison Endowed Chair in Arts and Humanities
Cultural futurist, author, musician and educational entrepreneur Ravi Hutheesing is the COSSBA National Conference keynote speaker on March 14, 2026. With a history as a rock star, aviator, cultural diplomat, and entrepreneur, he empowers educators, entrepreneurs, and organizations to foster cultural competence in the age of artificial intelligence.
Featured speakers for the UBA Pre-Conference Day include Ralph Simpson, a seasoned educator and influential leader who has dedicated his career to transforming educational environments; Melissa Reeves, a threat assessment and mental health specialist, senior advisor and speaker for Safe and Sound Schools; and Willie Spears, a highly sought-after speaker, critically acclaimed author, educator, and coach.
Registration remains open for the COSSBA National Conference, with early discounted rates available through January 12, 2026.
Upcoming Webinars
COSSBA Government Relations will host a webinar in early November. At a Crossroads: The Federal Budget, Education Funding, and the Future of the U.S. Department of Education will be presented on Thursday, November 6 at 1 p.m. (central time). Gain insights on how recent actions at the U.S. Department of Education could impact local districts, and learn what to expect moving forward.
The United Boards Alliance webinar series continues on November 19, 2025 at 11 a.m. (central time) with Building Stronger Schools - Through Caring and Consistent Discipline. Designed for school board members, district leaders, and administrators, this session will share the principles and practices of progressive discipline, including tiered interventions, clear expectations, and restorative responses. Presenting are Stephanie Long, Chief Student Support Officer for the Pinellas County Schools in Florida and Pinellas County School District Area Superintendent Dywayne Hinds.
COSSBA and UBA webinars are presented free of charge to IASB members. Many past webinars are available to view on demand.
COSSBA Federal Advocacy Conference 2025
In September, 17 IASB school board members and staff traveled to Washington, D.C. for the 2025 COSSBA Federal Advocacy Conference. Illinois school board advocates met with 13 Illinois Representatives and both Illinois Senators to share their stories. In each meeting, IASB was met with support and gratitude for school board members’ work and shared passion for their students.
Learn more about this effort in the IASB Federal Legislative Report 119-07 and in the upcoming issue of the Illinois School Board Journal.
Plan ahead for the next COSSBA Federal Advocacy Conference, September 21-23, 2026.
About COSSBA
Illinois is a founding member of the Consortium of State School Boards Associations. Founded by state school boards associations in 2022, COSSBA is a non-partisan, national alliance dedicated to sharing resources and information to support, promote and strengthen state school boards associations as they serve their local school districts and board members.
The Unified Boards Alliance (UBA) is a program of the COSSBA dedicated to nurturing the development and success of ALL school boards across the nation. UBA offers the necessary tools to successfully tackle the unique challenges found in urban, suburban and rural educational landscapes.
