Concurrent Education Sessions

Strand Key

 Ed Law/Advocacy            Finance/Operations        Safety




The Inside Dope on Medical Marijuana in Schools    
This session will provide a review of the enabling statutes and standard school board policy concerning the administration of medical cannabis in public schools. It will cover the authority and discretion given to individual school employees to opt out of administering medical cannabis. Additionally, the session will address the statutory safeguards and restrictions designed to curb abuse and prevent this from becoming a gateway to recreational marijuana use. We will also review the potential interplay between medicinal cannabis laws and disability rights laws such as Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Presented by Grant Chenoweth, J.D., Porter, Banks, Baldwin & Shaw, PLLC
Room: Ballroom

The Social Security Fairness Act, Retirement Plans & Their Impact on Educators    
The retirement picture for educators changes significantly with the passage of the Social Security Fairness Act. This new law means there is now another way for educators to improve their financial future; however, it is confusing. This session will explain the new rules under the SSFA, how districts can effectively communicate these changes to their staff, and how they can improve retention and recruitment by utilizing financial wellness.
Presented by Mason Moses, TCG
Room: One

Transportation Funding & The Use of KISTA Funding    
The transportation formula utilizes a significant amount of data to arrive at how much funding districts will receive in the annual SEEK distribution. It is important that districts are familiar with the inputs and have a general understanding of how the formula works. This session will dive into specifics of the transportation formula that are often overlooked.
Presented by Jody Maggard, Perry Co. Schools
Room: Two

Federal Education Update    
The new year and new Congress mean lots of opportunities for education policy and funding. AASA’s Noelle Ellerson Ng will walk through the latest goings-on of Congress and what it could mean for your district.
Presented by Noelle Ellerson Ng, AASA
Room: Three




Pre Crisis-Management - Are You Ready for a Crisis?   
This session will equip attendees with actionable strategies to assess and enhance their current security models. Presenters will share insights on effectively blending new and existing systems to create a cohesive and robust safety framework tailored to your district’s unique needs. By the end of this session, participants will leave with practical tools and a renewed perspective on improving their district's safety posture, ensuring a more secure and supportive environment for students, staff, and families.
Presented by Chris Barrier & Sarah Farrow, Ed.D., Montgomery Co. Schools
Room: Ballroom

A Review of the Legislative Landscape Regarding K-12 Student Attendance & Student Mental Health    
This presentation will provide an overview of legislative trends in the areas of K-12 student attendance and student mental health. Based on available data, this presentation will also discuss the impacts of the various policies. 
Presented by Michelle Gough Fry, SchoolStatus
Room: One

Data & Money: An Overview of Data Points that Generate Funding    
The Kentucky Department of Education's Office of Finance and Operations will be presenting an overview of how data drives funding in education. We will discuss the many data points that are used to generate Support Education Excellence in Kentucky (SEEK) funding and how attendance data generates the Average Daily Attendance (ADA). We will also review other add-ons such as Home Hospital, Free Reduced Application Management (FRAM), and Transportation funding, along with explaining how it all ties together in the Superintendent Annual Attendance Review (SAAR) Report.
Presented by Ronda Devine & Josh Whitlow, KDE
Room: Two

Salary Schedules & Budgeting    
Salaries are a school district's most important expense. We will discuss the details surrounding school district salaries and the annual budgetary impact.
Presented by Jody Maggard, Perry Co. Schools
Room: Three




Distrust & Misinformation - Can You Win a Battle with the Internet?    
Join KASA’s longtime general counsel, Wayne Young, for a compelling session on navigating the complex world of distrust and misinformation in the age of social media. Learn strategies to identify, combat, and mitigate the spread of false information that can jeopardize the trust within your school community. Equip yourself with practical tips to win the battle against misinformation and foster a more trustworthy online environment.
Presented by Wayne Young, J.D., KASA
Room: Ballroom

Cost of Recruitment    
We all know that teachers have the greatest impact on student learning and when a qualified and consistent teacher is not in the classroom, students may suffer academically and emotionally. In this interactive presentation, we will address the teacher shortage plaguing much of our society with applied solutions for school administrators. Participants will receive at least 50 cost-effective ideas for recruiting highly qualified teachers, in addition to capitalizing on different options for alternatively certified teachers.
Presented by Chad Teague, iTeach
Room: One

Efficiency & Safety in Pupil Transportation   
One of the most expensive departments in your entire district is transportation. Efficiency and safety within that department should be at the forefront of every transportation director and central office administrator. Come hear how Jessamine County Schools utilized routing technology and practice changes to save over $100,000 each year within their Transportation Department.
Presented by Matt Simpson, Jessamine Co. Schools
Room: Two

Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) Updates    
Hear the latest from the Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA).
Presented by Chad Collins, KHSAA
Room: Three




State & Federal Law Update    
Get the latest changes to state and federal laws including recent court cases.
Presented by Wayne Young, J.D., KASA & Justin Bathon, J.D., Ph.D., University of Kentucky
Room: Ballroom

Routes to Teacher Certification   
As districts struggle to find teachers, make sure that you know all the different ways to help applicants obtain certification. Attendees will learn about the various routes to certification including emergency certification, Highly Qualified, and the alternative routes to certification. Attendees will also hear updates on recent actions of the Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB).
Presented by Cassie Trueblood, J.D., EPSB
Room: One

Grant Writing    
Do you need help finding grants? Writing grants? Submitting grants? Then this workshop is for you! No matter the size of your district, come learn some helpful tips for securing both state and federal grants.
Presented by Martha Jones, Ed.D., Fayette Co. Schools
Room: Two

Administrative Investigations & Actions Resulting from Student Behavior   
School and District Administrators are tasked daily with investigating incidents of student misconduct that could jeopardize the safety and security of the school setting. Conducted properly, and utilizing the appropriate personnel through the investigation, these investigations can ensure that students are dealt with legally and in accordance with school rules and policy, and they can reduce any repercussions for school and district staff. This engaging breakout session features a panel of seasoned experts with extensive experience in student conduct investigations within public education. Designed for both school and district-level administrators, the session invites attendees to bring real-world scenarios and questions for the panel to address. With an interactive format, this session will provide valuable insights and practical strategies to navigate the complexities of student investigations with confidence and clarity.
Presented by April Devine, Ed.D. Hopkins Co. Schools, Deputy Chris Saunders, Boone Co. & Mike Ford, KASA
Room: Three






Collective Q&A Session on School Law    
Bring your tough legal questions to be answered by these experts in school law. Submitted questions at this session will be eligible for prize drawings at the conclusion of the session.
Presented by Wayne Young, J.D., KASA & Regina Jackson, Elpo Law
Room: Ballroom

Balancing Innovation & Privacy: Navigating the Future of AI    
As AI continues to reshape industries, balancing innovation with privacy has become crucial. In this session, we'll explore the key privacy risks associated with AI, including data collection, bias, and privacy concerns. We’ll also cover privacy regulations like FERPA and CCPA, and discuss cutting-edge technologies with the hopes you will leave with actionable insights on navigating the challenges of AI and privacy in today’s tech landscape.
Presented by Josh Fleckinstein, Jessamine Co. Schools
Room: One

Conducting Personnel Investigations & Employee Conduct    
Participants will learn best practices for how to handle sticky personnel issues including conducting investigations and thinking through appropriate discipline. Specific, hypothetical scenarios will be used as examples during the presentation.
Presented by Matt Thompson, Ed.D., & Rick Culross, Ed.D., Montgomery Co. Schools
Room: Two

Driving in the Park: Practical Tools for Leading Systematic Change in Your District    
In a world of rapidly shifting mandates, a culture of compliance can feel like we're simply "playing the game". Educators don't set out to have low expectations for kids, and leaders don't intend to have low expectations for teachers, but "I'm just being realistic" can leave us feeling stuck and powerless. But the reality is that we are "the system", and we have real power to not simply navigate the system as it is, but to create the system as it ought to be. In this practical session, we'll walk through a flexible, adaptive framework to help you tackle a pressing, compelling issue you're facing in your district.
Presented by Colin Seale, thinkLaw
Room: Three




We Are All on Duty... Even in a Social Media World   
With Acts of Violence spearheading the news cycle, school security and mental health are critical topics on the radar. What do we need to do to keep everyone safe? What role does social media play in the mental health of our students and their safety? We must recognize the warning signs present in others within the walls of our schools and on social media as we continue to build relationships and educate all stakeholders. We are all on duty.
Presented by Lori Downs & Chelle Gillon, Barron Co. Schools
Room: Ballroom

Using Fiscal Data to Build a Sustainable Future  
We will discuss how you can use data and analytics to build a plan that sustains enrollment change and shifting priorities.
Presented by Susie Manikas, Munetrix
Room: One

Keeping up with Title IX   
The Title IX sexual harassment regulations are complicated. This session will address the school district's legal obligations, the required Title IX team, notice requirements, important definitions, and steps to take upon receipt of a formal complaint.
Presented by Regina Jackson, J.D., ELPO Law
Room: Three

Online registration has closed! Onsite registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. EDT on March 27 at the Central Bank Center.

March 27-28

Registration includes: Institute sessions, materials, up to 9 Hours of EILA/Finance Officer Credit or 6 CLE hours

Cost:
Early Bird (March 1)
Member - $349
Nonmember - $449

After Early Bird
Member - $449
Nonmember - $499

Location:
Central Bank Center, Lexington
430 W Vine St, Lexington, KY 40507
Meeting Rooms 1-8, 2nd Level
Enter through the main entrance off of High Street
  
Parking: Central Bank Center parking lot is located in lot across from Rupp Arena
Cost: $16 day (requires cashless payment – debit/credit card required).
Thank you to our Event Partners!

 

                    
     






Cancellation Policy
Cancellations must be submitted to the KASA office in writing via email (lisa@kasa.org), fax (502) 875-4631, or to 87 C. Michael Davenport Blvd., Frankfort, KY 40601 no later than Monday, March 3, 2025. If eligible, refunds will be issued after the event, minus a $49 administrative fee.

Due to KASA’s commitments to various vendors and suppliers on your behalf, refunds cannot be granted for no shows, late arrival, or early departure.

Substitutions are encouraged to replace those individuals who are registered but unable to attend at the last minute. Please submit a written request to lisa@kasa.org. Only one substitution is permitted per original registrant. The individual submitting the substitution request is responsible for all financial obligations (any balance due) associated with the substitution. The appropriate member/ nonmember rate will apply.
 
INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY
In the event of inclement weather, the event/workshop will proceed as scheduled. Hotels and venues have strict cancellation policies and will not allow us to cancel the event due to weather-related issues. As a result, we cannot issue refunds for registration fees or accommodations in the event of a weather-related cancellation.