The 2025 CSBA County Board Conference will take place from Sept. 5-7, 2025, at the Monterey Plaza Hotel and Spa in Monterey, CA. This conference provides a unique opportunity for county board leaders to come together and discuss students' futures in light of domestic policies and global trends. County board members, superintendents and educational partners from throughout the state will come together to gain valuable knowledge and information in three key areas: advocacy, governance and policy; funding, workforce and educational access; student well-being, safety and success.
As the role of county offices of education (COEs) continues to evolve, CSBA is committed to providing COE board members with the necessary tools and information to become effective elected education leaders. The program will feature member-led workshops, micro-trainings, networking opportunities, and more—offering attendees practical strategies, peer-driven insights, and ample chances to connect and collaborate with colleagues from across California. It is a must-attend event for county board leaders!
Submit your proposals now to present at the conference! Click here to learn more about proposal deadlines and conference strands.
Registration is open beginning May 13 for conference and spouse passes. Click here to learn more about registration.
Call for Proposals
CSBA is seeking innovative and engaging ideas for the 2025 CSBA County Board Conference. County trustees are encouraged to submit proposals that will spark meaningful discussions and collaborative learning opportunities. Share your expertise in workshop sessions that dive deep into the specific themes or challenges most relevant to county board members. Proposals are being accepted through Friday, June 6.
Click here to view the submissions form.
Proposals should correspond to one or more of the major strands identified for this year’s conference:
Advocacy, Governance and Policy: Leading for Impact
Shaping policy and strengthening systems for student success
This strand focuses on the critical role county board of education members and superintendents play in advocacy, governance and policymaking. Sessions will explore strategies for effective engagement with local, state and federal decision-makers, building coalitions to improve student outcomes and the board’s role in setting long-term educational priorities. Potential topics include:
- Advocacy strategies for securing resources and legislative support
- Strengthening partnerships with elected officials to influence educational policy
- Transitioning from community advocacy to board leadership
- Best practices for effective governance, including board-superintendent collaboration
- Balancing policy oversight with community engagement
Funding, Workforce and Educational Access: Aligning Resources for Success
Maximizing funding and human capital to expand opportunity
This strand delves into funding strategies, workforce challenges and resource allocation to ensure all students, particularly the most vulnerable, receive a high-quality education. Sessions will address how county offices of education can leverage funding streams, improve teacher retention, support special education, and enhance access to specialized programs, such as career technical education (CTE) as well as strengthen the delivery of special education services.
Potential topics include:
- Connecting budget decisions to long-term student success
- Managing special education and legal costs
- Exploring development of workforce housing
- Addressing staffing shortages and teacher preparation
- Expanding career pathways for students through public-private partnerships
- Navigating state and federal funding opportunities for countywide programs
Student Well-Being, Safety and Success: Supporting Vulnerable Youth and the Whole Child
Creating safe, inclusive and equitable learning environments
This strand focuses on comprehensive student support, emphasizing the role of county offices of education in ensuring that all students — particularly those facing housing instability, foster care placement or other challenges — have the environment and services necessary to attain a high-quality education. Sessions will explore policies, programs and partnerships that address key barriers to learning and well-being.
Potential topics include:
- Addressing the unique needs of homeless and foster youth, including enrollment, transportation and stability
- Coordinating with county agencies to provide students with housing support, mental health services and wraparound care
- Expanding school safety policies and community partnerships to create secure learning environments
- Implementing trauma-informed practices in schools to better support at-risk students
- Enhancing student and family engagement through outreach and targeted resources
- Strategies to combat chronic absenteeism, address disengagement and accelerate learning recovery
- Incorporating student voice in defining success and shaping supportive school programs
Location
Monterey Plaza Hotel and Spa
400 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940
Program
Friday, Sept. 5, 2025: 1:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025: 7:00 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025: 7:30 – 11:00 a.m.
Registration Fees
Registration for this conference is open beginning May 13 with the following registration fee schedule:
- Early rate (May 13 - June 26): $549
- Regular rate (June 27 - Aug. 7): $629
- Late rate (Aug. 8 - onsite): $699
- Spouse rate (May 13 - onsite): $99
The spouse/partner registration fee includes a spouse/partner’s invitation to the Friday Networking Reception, breakfast and break offerings throughout the conference. This does not include access to the program in the general session room or any breakout sessions.
A spouse/partner is defined as a significant other who is not affiliated with or employed by a California school district or county office of education (including board members, administrators, teachers or staff). Coworkers or associates are not eligible to use the spouse registration category. If this registration category is used by someone other than a spouse, the registrant will be charged a full conference registration rate for that person.
Housing
You can now book your hotel accommodation at the Monterey Plaza Hotel and Spa online through our dedicated website. We encourage you to make your reservation as soon as possible.
The CSBA-negotiated block of rooms has a reservation cutoff date of August 14, 2025, or until sold out. After this date, rooms may be available on a space-available basis, and the special group rate may not be guaranteed. Please note that the hotel requires a valid credit card in which an advance deposit of one night’s room and tax will be charged to guarantee the reservation.
To make your hotel reservations online, please click here. Alternatively, you can call the hotel directly at 800-334-3999.
Registrants are responsible for securing and, if necessary, cancelling their own housing reservations. Cancellation is 48 hours prior to arrival day to avoid any penalty (1 night fee).
Travel Information
Parking: the Monterey Plaza Hotel and Spa only offers valet parking at a discounted rate of $30 per vehicle, per night. There is no self-parking available on the property.
Airport: Located just 4.3 miles away, Monterey Regional Airport is the closest airport to the Monterey Plaza Hotel and Spa—approximately a 10 to 15-minute drive, depending on traffic.
Cancellation Policy
For cancellations received by Thursday, July 10, 2025:
- A full refund will be issued.
For cancellations received prior to 11:59 p.m. (PST) on Thursday, August 14, 2025:
- A 25% processing fee will be applied, and the balance of your registration fee will be refunded.
- Substitutions may be made with another individual within the registrant’s LEA.
For cancellations received after Thursday, August 14, 2025:
- No refunds will be issued.
- Substitutions may be made with another individual within the registrant’s LEA by Tuesday, September 2, 2025. You must email register@csba.org to make changes to your registration.
Sponsor this event
The County Board Conference is scheduled to take place from Sept. 5-7, 2025, at the Monterey Plaza Hotel and Spa in Monterey, California. This conference is specifically designed for county board members, who attend for professional development and networking opportunities that focus on specific issues and highlight best practices and new ideas that address the unique circumstances of county boards and the students they serve.
Past keynote speakers included California State Board of Education President Linda Darling Hammond, Zoom Founder/CEO Eric Yuan and other dignitaries. The event typically attracts around 150 attendees, including county board members, superintendents, staff and guest speakers.
View the sponsorship guide here or contact CSBA at sponsor@csba.org for more information.
Notices
Please view our event policies by clicking on the Code of Conduct and Event Notices. Direct all cancellation and refund requests to register@csba.org.
Questions
Whether you're looking for details about registration, event logistics, or participation guidelines, please contact countyboard@csba.org.
Accessibility
The event is accessible to persons using wheelchairs, and to other persons with disabilities for whom reasonable accommodation, such as assistive listening devices for the deaf and informational materials in large print or alternate formats for those with vision-impairment, may be made available, if requested. Please contact register@csba.org or countyboard@csba.org. Provide at least 72 hours’ notice to help ensure availability of accommodation.
Persons with health-related considerations such as multiple chemical sensitivities, environmental illnesses, food allergies, or special dietary needs, may also notify register@csba.org or countyboard@csba.org when registering for the conference to determine whether special arrangements can be made for them. Provide at least 72 hours’ notice to help ensure availability of accommodation.