CASB Connections

By Colorado Association of School Boards

What's CASB Connections about?

Through the lens of school board development, join CASB staff, members and guests as they explore public education topics in order to connect with members in their leadership development journey.

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CASB Connections episodes:

05.03.2024
Public Comment and Social Media
Learn the ins and outs of public comment during school board meetings, as well as what constitutes public comment when it comes to social media use by school board members. Rachel Amspoker, CASB Staff Attorney, and Sonja McKenzie, Cherry Creek...
04.22.2024
The Policy Review Process
Is the policy review process somewhat confusing? CASB's Policy Specialists, Kristina Gutierrez and Holly Burg, break it down into steps so you know how to organize your board meeting agenda, who should have input into policy updates, and depending on...
01.03.2024
Understanding the Policy Coding System
If you're a new board member you may be a bit overwhelmed with the policy coding system. This podcast shares the why and the what to the system so you can become familiar with your board policies in no time....
11.07.2023
Meet Colorado's New Commissioner of Education: Susana Cordova
Susana Cordova is Colorado's newest Commissioner of Education and she brings of wealth of education knowledge with her to this position. Susana is not new to Colorado or education. Get to know her and her hopes and dreams for the...
09.20.2023
Connecting with Peter Sheahan, CASB's 83rd Annual Convention Keynote Speaker
Peter Sheahan, well known leadership consultant and speaker, is joining CASB for their 83rd Annual Convention on Friday, December 8, 2023 to speak on AI, K12 education, and student mental health. Hear what Peter has in mind for his keynote...
08.21.2023
Creating Your District's Legislative Platform
Join CASB's Communications Specialist, Bryce Reedy, and CASB Board of Directors Member and Englewood School District Board Member, Caty Husbands, as Caty leads you through the steps in creating your legislative platform. This isn't a quick process, but Caty will...
07.18.2023
Communication Strategy
Does your district have an updated communications plan in place? Learn how to create a plan or update your current plan regardless of your district's size. We cover the basics starting with knowing your "Why" and moving on to the...
07.10.2023
Proposition HH
Join Tracie Rainey, Executive Director at the Colorado School Finance Project, Matt Cook, CASB's Director of Public Policy & Advocacy, Leslie Bogar, CASB's Director of Professional Learning, and Bryce Reedy, CASB's Communications Specialist, as they dive into Proposition HH and...
05.30.2023
Electric School Bus Grant Program
Join CASB's Communication Specialist Bryce Reedy and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's Steve McCannon as they discuss the Electric School Bus Grant Program. Steve dives into the requirements for districts, how the grant process works, its potential advantages...
04.07.2023
Rural Advocacy from the Larger School District Dias
Join Leslie Bogar, CASB's Director of Professional Learning, Lindley McCrary, CASB's President-Elect, and Brian Ewert, Littleton Public Schools Superintendent, as they discuss rural advocacy from the larger school district dias.
01.19.2023
Policy Governance
Board Governance. What is it and how many models of school board governance exist? Join Director of Public Policy & Advocacy, Matt Cook, and Policy Specialist Kristina Gutierrez as they dive into all thinks policy governance.
06.17.2022
The Role of the Board President
The school board president is responsible for setting the tone and demeanor of the board and so much more. If you are new to this role or have future aspects of running for school board president, the insights and wisdom...
04.18.2022
Student Voice and the Work of the Durango 9-R School Board
Including student voice in the work of the school board takes planning but most of all, it takes students that have an interest in and passion for influencing decision makers in their district. Hear how the Durango 9-R School District...
03.24.2022
Quorums and Electronic School Board Participation
03.11.2022
Engaging Student Voice in the Work of the Board
How do you engage student voice in the work of your board? Hear from three Colorado high school students that have worked hard to share their ideas, as well as work alongside board members and their state education department. You'll...
01.28.2022
Understanding the Colorado Open Records Act
Want more information on the Why, What, and How of the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA)? Find out why CORA requests are a good thing, as well as best practices to follow when you do receive a request. Music: Soothe...
12.21.2021
Onboarding New Board Members Part 4
There are multiple areas new board members should be oriented to in the onboarding process. These include orientation to the board, orientation to board member responsibilities and those of the superintendent, and orientation to the district. This podcast focuses on...
12.13.2021
Onboarding New Board Members Part 3: Roles and Responsibilities
Are you a new board member? Do you understand the difference between your role and your board responsibilities? When it comes to the role and responsibilities of the board it is imperative that board members understand what this means to...
10.26.2021
Onboarding New Board Members Part 2
Part 2 in this series focuses on sharing the district's vision, mission, and strategic plan process. A shared vision is imperative for a well-functioning board governance team. A vision action plan is necessary in order to move the district forward...
09.16.2021
Onboarding New Board Members Part 1
Do you have an onboarding plan for your new board members? There's still time to get one in place and this series of Onboarding podcasts will help you get there. Effective boards onboard new members well so they can get...
08.17.2021
The ESSER Tell Your Story Campaign
The Tell Your Story Campaign has been created so that school districts can share relevant first-hand knowledge with their community members in regard to the importance of public education, how the district has and is using the federal stimulus funds,...
06.01.2021
Governing the Right Way: The Role and Responsibilities of School Board Members
School board members are elected to govern their school district and many times this is much harder than it sounds. It boils down to the role and responsibilities of a school board member and if they choose to follow them...
04.20.2021
The Colorado Youth Congress & Student Voice
The Colorado Youth Congress is a program engaging students across the state in two focused priorities all the while building necessary skills for success after graduation. Learn about the program from three students that have been impacted by their involvement...
04.13.2021
Colorado Legislative Basics
If you're unfamiliar with how the Colorado legislative session works, don't know quite how a bill becomes a law, need a refresher on some of the terms used during the process, and are unaware of a few of our Colorado...
04.05.2021
An Equitable Outcomes Discussion with Bill de la Cruz
The terms Equity and Equitable Outcomes are not one in the same. Bill de la Cruz, personal transformation guru in the field of foundational bias, shares the meaning behind both terms and how school board members and others can move...
03.17.2021
The Colorado Virtual Career Fair: It's Educational!
Don't let your students miss out on the Colorado Virtual Career Fair coming April 2021. It's an educational event not a hiring event. Students, parents, and educators will connect with professionals in a variety of career fields to hear stories...
03.02.2021
A Conversation with the Colorado Gifted and Talented Student Board
Join the Colorado Gifted and Talented Student Board as they share their board's creation story, the goals the board has set for supporting gifted and talented students, and how they went above and beyond with what the pandemic brought to...
02.09.2021
The Role of an Advocate with Phil Virden
Rural advocacy requires commitment, perseverance, and gumption, which are also necessary characteristics for all school board members. Join Phil Virden, Former CASB Board of Directors President and current Board President for the Hinsdale School District as he shares wisdom in...
01.26.2021
The Role of an Advocate with Kathy Plomer
The role of an advocate is built upon establishing relationships first and foremost. Adams 12 board president, Kathy Plomer, shares her insights into advocacy based upon years of experience as an advocate for public education. You'll hear why you don't...
01.14.2021
The Role of an Advocate with Jan Tanner
As a school board member you are an advocate for public education and students in your district. Former Colorado Association of School Boards Board President, Jan Tanner, shares insights and practices that will help you in your advocacy role. Host:...
01.06.2021
Peak Health Alliance and Saving Districts Money
Peak Health Alliance is a purchasing alliance that provides the ability for districts to save money on employee health insurance. It's Colorado grown and customizable to the needs of community members. Interview with Tamara Pogue, former CEO for Peak Health...
12.15.2020
The Multi-Tiered System of Supports for K12 Schools
Learn the basics of the Multi-Tiered System of Supports, or MTSS, and how school boards can help to promote universal mental health for each and every student. Find out about online training and more. Interview with clinical psychologists Lisa Costello,...
11.18.2020
CASB 80th Annual Convention is Virtual!
You don't want to miss our 80th Annual CASB Convention. Although it is virtual, you will gain great board development resources CASB is known for. With over 32 breakout sessions, six general sessions, and networking opportunities, you'll come away with...
10.13.2020
Amendment B: The Gallagher Repeal Unpacked
Join Lisa Weil, Executive Director for Great Education Colorado, and Matt Cook, Director of Advocacy and Public Policy for the Colorado Association of School Boards, as they discuss the Gallagher Amendment and why a repeal is the best way to...
09.08.2020
1st and 2nd Policy Readings
Policy guides the direction of public school board members as they govern their school district. If you need a refresher on the reasoning behind 1st and 2nd readings this Grab and Go podcast provides the information so you can grab...
08.26.2020
Your Social-Emotional Health
School board members typically put themselves last in line when it comes to self-care and we are at a point in time where anxiety and stress are mounting. There is a path forward in self-care and it is grounded in the...
07.10.2020
The Coffee Cart Program: A SPED Program
The Coffee Cart program is a job and life skills curriculum for high school special education students with the goal of helping each student seek, obtain, and retain employment after high school. It's a wonderful program bent on making sure...
07.07.2020
Updates on the Education Front
The College Board has changed its mind as far as offering an online SAT test, your body language during a school board meeting may say more than you'd like, and FAFSA applications in Colorado took a dive. Check out these...
06.22.2020
CASB's BuyBoard Purchasing Cooperative Program & PPE
If you are planning on purchasing Personal Protective Equipment for reopening schools in the fall, now is the time to act. CASB's partnership with BuyBoard links you with PPE vendors and it's free to you as a CASB member. Learn...
06.17.2020
Some Great Stories: 2020 End of Year K12 Ceremonies
It's been a nontraditional and even tough end to the school year and we all need to hear some good stories. Every district has great stories commemorating the end to their year and in this podcast you'll hear stories from...
05.29.2020
Budgeting During a State Fiscal Crisis 2.0
Now that we’ve heard the interim update on the state revenue forecast and the Joint Budget Committee deliberations, the nature of what school boards must grapple with in order to balance their budget is beginning to crystallize. Join Tracie Rainey,...
05.15.2020
Initiative 271 Fair Tax Colorado
Learn about Initiative 271 Fair Tax Colorado, which includes benefits to tax payers, education, and much more. Cheri Wrench, CASB Executive Director, Bret Miles, CASE Executive Director, and Abby Vining, Vision 2020 Network Manager share the details and give listeners...
05.07.2020
20 Best Practices for Virtual Meetings and Webinars
With virtual meetings as the new way of life, make sure to check out the 20 best practices to help you pull off a professional meeting or webinar. These easy to do practices create a win-win scenario for any virtual...
04.30.2020
Budgeting During a State Fiscal Crisis
The COVID-19 shutdown has created a state fiscal crisis and school boards must navigate uncharted territory as they prepare their district budgets. Join Tracie Rainey, Diane Doney, and Matt Cook as they discuss possibilities, CARE stimulus funds, timelines, and much...
04.24.2020
Legal Topics 101 - Colorado Open Meetings Law and More Part II
Public comment during a school board meeting is important and there are ways to accommodate your community voice. Learn best practices for public comment, conflict of interest, the Colorado Open Records Act, social media and email do’s and don’ts, and...
04.17.2020
2020 End of Year High School Ceremonies
Gain some great ideas for 2020 end of year ceremonies that will honor your graduates, retiring staff, artists, and more. Although COVID-19 changed the way we handle traditions, it doesn't have to eradicate them and you'll hear how to keep...
04.06.2020
Considerations for 2020 Colorado High School Graduates as a Result of COVID-19
The Colorado Association of School Boards and the Colorado Department of Education discuss the options school districts have in order to meet their district graduation requirements for 2020 graduates. This podcast is from a recording of the CASB Conversations webinar...
03.31.2020
Colorado HB20-1301 Electronic Participation Facts
HB20-1301 allows Colorado school boards to meet electronically. What does this look like? CASB's staff attorney, Sam Jones-Rogers and CASB Executive Director, Cheri Wrench, share facts associated with the bill and insights into how boards can meet electronically. This podcast...
03.27.2020
The School Board Budget Process
Learn what it takes to work on the school board budget, where it comes from and how to navigate incorporating the vision for placing students first in the process. School board budget experts, Glenn Gustafson and Barb Clementi share insights...
03.20.2020
Need to Know: COVID-19 and HB20-1301 for Colorado
HB20-1301 has paved the way for Colorado school boards to hold meetings during the ongoing crisis of COVID-19. CASB has information that boards need to know in regard to 1301 and the current status of requirements for schools during the...

What's CASB Connections about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

CASB Connections episodes:

Public Comment and Social Media

The Policy Review Process

Understanding the Policy Coding System

Meet Colorado's New Commissioner of Education: Susana Cordova

Connecting with Peter Sheahan, CASB's 83rd Annual Convention Keynote Speaker

Creating Your District's Legislative Platform

Communication Strategy

Proposition HH

Electric School Bus Grant Program

Rural Advocacy from the Larger School District Dias

Policy Governance

The Role of the Board President

Student Voice and the Work of the Durango 9-R School Board

Quorums and Electronic School Board Participation

Engaging Student Voice in the Work of the Board

Understanding the Colorado Open Records Act

Onboarding New Board Members Part 4

Onboarding New Board Members Part 3: Roles and Responsibilities

Onboarding New Board Members Part 2

Onboarding New Board Members Part 1

The ESSER Tell Your Story Campaign

Governing the Right Way: The Role and Responsibilities of School Board Members

The Colorado Youth Congress & Student Voice

Colorado Legislative Basics

An Equitable Outcomes Discussion with Bill de la Cruz

The Colorado Virtual Career Fair: It's Educational!

A Conversation with the Colorado Gifted and Talented Student Board

The Role of an Advocate with Phil Virden

The Role of an Advocate with Kathy Plomer

The Role of an Advocate with Jan Tanner

Peak Health Alliance and Saving Districts Money

The Multi-Tiered System of Supports for K12 Schools

CASB 80th Annual Convention is Virtual!

Amendment B: The Gallagher Repeal Unpacked

1st and 2nd Policy Readings

Your Social-Emotional Health

The Coffee Cart Program: A SPED Program

Updates on the Education Front

CASB's BuyBoard Purchasing Cooperative Program & PPE

Some Great Stories: 2020 End of Year K12 Ceremonies

Budgeting During a State Fiscal Crisis 2.0

Initiative 271 Fair Tax Colorado

20 Best Practices for Virtual Meetings and Webinars

Budgeting During a State Fiscal Crisis

Legal Topics 101 - Colorado Open Meetings Law and More Part II

2020 End of Year High School Ceremonies

Considerations for 2020 Colorado High School Graduates as a Result of COVID-19

Colorado HB20-1301 Electronic Participation Facts

The School Board Budget Process

Need to Know: COVID-19 and HB20-1301 for Colorado