Conflict is unavoidable in school leadership, but how leaders respond to it can shape the culture and effectiveness of an entire district.

In this episode of the OSBA Forum, host Mark Bobo talks with Sara Clark and Kristi Robbins about the challenges school boards and district leaders face regarding conflict, communication and governance. 

The conversation explores:

•  Why conflict is increasing in some districts. 
•  Leadership transitions and board dynamics. 
•  Communication breakdowns and difficult conversations. 
•  Emotional intelligence in governance. 
•  Community expectations and political pressures. 
•  Strategies for strengthening trust and professionalism. 

The OSBA Forum features conversations on the issues impacting Ohio’s public schools and the leaders who serve them.

00:00 Introduction
 00:22 Conflict Isn’t Always Negative
 00:47 Meet Sara Clark and Kristi Robbins
 01:19 Why Conflict Is Increasing in School Districts
 01:43 New Board Members and Leadership Transitions
 02:06 Roles, Communication and Difficult Conversations
 02:40 Budget Challenges and Community Pressure
 03:05 Political Polarization and Board Dynamics
 03:38 Emotional Intelligence During Conflict
 04:25 Early Warning Signs of Governance Problems
 05:12 Building Trust Within Leadership Teams
 06:04 Productive Communication Strategies
 07:01 Managing Public Pressure and Expectations
 08:10 Advice for Board Members Facing Conflict
 09:02 Final Thoughts on Leadership and Governance

For more resources, training and advocacy updates from the Ohio School Boards Association, visit ohioschoolboards.org.