Massachusetts Association of School Committees

Workshops
Virtual and In-Person Options Designed to Empower You

MASC offers a variety of professional development opportunities to help school committee members and administrators stay informed, improve their leadership skills, and better serve their communities. Whether you prefer the flexibility of virtual learning or the hands-on engagement of in-person workshops, we provide tailored programs designed to meet your needs.

Explore our Virtual Learning Lunches, which offer convenient online training sessions on relevant topics, or dive deeper with Customized In-Person Workshops, where MASC Field Directors lead targeted sessions on key areas of school governance.

No matter which option you choose, these opportunities are designed to empower you with the knowledge and tools to lead effectively in today’s educational landscape.

Virtual Learning Lunches

MASC offers Virtual Learning Lunches held on Fridays at noon, providing convenient opportunities for professional development from the comfort of your office or home. These online sessions feature expert speakers and cover a wide range of relevant topics, designed to help school committee members and administrators stay informed and effective in their roles. Join us for these interactive, lunchtime sessions where you can gain valuable insights, ask questions, and engage with peers. Check the schedule below to register for upcoming Virtual Learning Lunches and make the most of these valuable learning opportunities.

Customized In-Person Workshops

MASC Field Directors are available to support your School Committee retreat or workshop with customized training sessions on a range of essential topics. Each workshop is tailored to meet your committee’s unique goals and challenges, helping you strengthen your leadership and governance skills.

To schedule an in-person session, reach out to your MASC Field Director to explore the best training options for your team and find a time that works for you.

Available workshop topics include:

  • Roles and Responsibilities – Understanding your leadership, governance, and management roles.
  • Open Meeting Law – Applying the Open Meeting Law to school district governance.
  • Ethics / Conflict of Interest Law – Understanding the impact of state ethics laws on school districts.
  • School Councils – Understanding the role of the School Council and supporting their work.
  • Effective Meetings – Tips for running more efficient and productive School Committee meetings.
  • Parliamentary Procedure – Learning Roberts’ Rules of Order for smoother meetings.
  • Self Evaluation – Reflecting on the Committee’s governance and evaluating its effectiveness.
  • Superintendent Evaluation – Understanding the process for evaluating the Superintendent.
  • Basics of Policy – Learning about the School Committee’s role in policy development.
  • Goal Setting – Learn how to develop clear, achievable district goals that align with student success and community priorities.
  • Good Governance in Action – Explore the key practices and behaviors that define effective, collaborative school committee leadership.
  • SEPAC/ELPAC Relationships – Build productive partnerships between school committees and parent advisory councils to better support all learners.
  • Setting Protocols – Establish clear expectations and working agreements to foster efficient, respectful committee operations.
  • Understanding School Finance – A series of workshops breaking down essential elements of school finance to strengthen your fiscal oversight role. Offerings include:
    • The Role of the School Committee in the Budget – Understand your responsibilities in shaping, reviewing, and approving the district’s financial plan.
    • Navigating the Budget Process – Gain insights into each phase of the school budgeting cycle and how to engage effectively.
    • The Foundation Budget – Learn how the state’s funding formula determines what’s considered adequate for educating students.
    • Making Sense of Chapter 70 – Demystify Massachusetts’ primary school aid program and what it means for your district’s bottom line.

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