Don't Get Stonewalled. Start Driving Real Change
You were elected to make a difference. Learn how to navigate district politics, decode administrative jargon, and actually deliver results—without waiting 3 years to figure it out.
A 7-month cohort for newly-elected board members who refuse to be sidelined.
You Know What Needs to Change. Now Learn How to Make It Happen.
The Reality
You ran for school board because you saw problems that needed fixing. But here’s what nobody told you: district governance has its own rules, its own language, and its own power dynamics. Administrators can talk in circles with acronyms. Other board members resist change. The system seems designed to slow everything down
Most new board members spend 2-3 years just figuring out how things actually work. By then, momentum is gone and opportunities are missed.
The Promise
This cohort gives you the strategic advantage: understand the real levers of power, decode the political landscape, and make smart moves from day one. You’ll learn how to advance your agenda effectively—without unnecessary conflict, and with clear understanding of when conflict is actually necessary.
The Outcomes
- Where your authority actually begins and ends (so you stop wasting energy on dead-ends)
- How to ask questions that cut through administrative spin
- The real budget priorities hiding in IDEA and Title I allocations
- How to build strategic alliances with board members and administration
- When unions are your allies and when they’re obstacles
- How to navigate SPED issues without creating legal liability
- The art of effective board governance: strategic, not reactive
Seven Months. Seven Strategic Topics. Real Results.
The Structure
Monthly 90-minute interactive sessions (not lectures—real discussion with peers facing similar challenges) held via video meeting. All sessions are recorded for your convenience.
Plus: Comprehensive Board Member Field Guide with practical tools you can use at the dais.
The Secret Sauce
Two Private Advisory Sessions—Your Tactical Advantage
Stuck on a specific issue? Need to game out a contentious vote? Wondering how to approach a conflict with administration?
You get two confidential 1:1 sessions with Aaron Salt, our founder, at your convenience during the program. These aren’t office hours—they’re strategic advisory sessions tailored to your district’s unique challenges. Bring your toughest questions. Get direct, practical guidance.
The Curriculum
Note: Topics will be sequenced to match the natural rhythm of the school year and cohort needs. Here’s what we’ll tackle together:
December
Know Your Power (And Your Limits)
- Board authority vs. superintendent authority
- Robert’s Rules as a strategic tool, not a weapon
- Where change actually happens in district governance
- Setting yourself up for success in your first 90 days
January
Curriculum & Instruction Oversight
- How curriculum actually gets adopted (hint: it’s not what you think)
- The difference between board policy and administrative procedure
- Red flags in curriculum decisions
- Asking the right questions about academic outcomes
February
Speak the Language
- Educational jargon decoded
- Budget literacy: Follow the money to understand real priorities
- How to read between the lines in board packets
- The key to asking good questions
March
Special Education Realities
- Your legal duties and liabilities
- Why SPED is where many reform efforts die
- How to advocate for change without creating legal exposure
- IEPs, 504s, and SSPs: What you actually need to know
April
Building Your Coalition
- Working effectively with administration when you disagree
- Finding common ground with other board members
- Managing community pressure and expectations
- When to push and when to hold
May
The Union Dynamic
- How collective bargaining agreements limit (and enable) change
- Reading a CBA like a strategic document
- When unions are allies and when they’re obstacles
- Navigating labor relations as a governance issue
June
Your Strategy for Year One (and Beyond)
- Prioritizing battles: What to tackle now vs. later
- Creating momentum for long-term change
- Leveraging state resources
- Avoiding burnout while staying effective
The Facilitator
Meet Aaron Salt
I’ve spent 7 years as a school board president across 3 different boards—I’ve lived what you’re going through. I’ve also served as COO/Assistant Superintendent and Interim Superintendent, giving me insight from both sides of the dais. I founded a charter school and I’m currently finishing a book on effective board governance.
I’ve helped board members navigate hostile takeovers, superintendent transitions, community backlash, legal challenges, and dysfunctional board dynamics. I’ve learned what actually works—not in theory, but in real board rooms with real consequences.
My approach: Practical tools you can use immediately. No jargon, no fluff, no generic advice that doesn’t fit your situation. Just straight talk from someone who’s been in your seat and knows how hard it is.
Why this cohort is limited: Because of the dedicated 1:1 coaching component (6 personal sessions with each participant), I can only work with 12 presidents at a time. This ensures everyone gets the personalized attention they need.
The Decision
- This is for you if:
- You're focused on seeing an increase in student success
- You were elected to bring positive change to your district
- You're tired of feeling like an outsider
- You refuse to wait 3 years to figure out how to be effective
- You want to avoid costly while still making effective change
- You need peers who get the unique challenges of board service
- You're ready to do the work of strategic, thoughtful governance
- This is NOT for you if:
- You're looking for a rubber-stamp approach to board service
- You expect a passive webinar series with no interaction
- You're not willing to challenge the status quo thoughtfully
- You're not interested in building relationships
- You're a steamroller who doesn't care about collateral damage
The Investment
Why the discount?
This is the inaugural cohort, and I’m pricing it to make it accessible while I prove the model. Future cohorts will be priced significantly higher. If you’re on the fence, this is the time to join.
Payments must be made by check.
How to fund?
Many districts have PD (professional development) funds that are earmarked for board member use. POs will be accepted if your district is paying for this program. We provide documentation for reimbursement.
Some states will allow for campaign funds to be used to pay for these types of board-related expenses, as this will help you fulfill your elected duty.
Board President Cohort
- 7 monthly interactive cohort sessions
- 2 private 1:1 strategy sessions
- Board Member Field Guide
- Increased network of board members
The FAQ
Absolutely. This program is for people who want to create positive change effectively. You’ll learn how to advance your agenda without unnecessary conflict, and crucially, when conflict is actually necessary and productive.
It’s the combination of mechanics and strategy with regards to board operations.
Every district has different dynamics—that’s exactly why you get two 1:1 strategy sessions. We’ll work through your specific challenges directly and confidentially.
This cohort is optimized for newly-elected members, but if you’re in your first 1-2 years and still finding your footing, you’re welcome. Reach out if you’re unsure: [email protected]
Each session will run 45 minutes. There will be a presentation during each call that will run 20-30 minutes, and then there will be time for Q&A at the end.
The 1:1 calls will be teleconferences through Google Meet. Each one will last 30-40 minutes. These are tailored to you and your district’s needs. You can invite your superintendent or a fellow board member to join you, as appropriate.
These sessions are intended to be meaningful time to help you become a more effective board president in helping your students succeed. We can review agenda items, upcoming/ongoing controversies, superintendent evaluations, etc.
Each session will be recorded with links to the video sent out after the call. Although you won’t be able to participate in the conversation around the month’s topic, you’ll still get to see the session.
Note: Q&A and other conversations won’t be available during the replays. Sometimes these conversations can cover sensitive topics, and we want to protect that privileged information as much as possible.
State-level school board associations provide excellent foundational resources. This cohort is different: it’s intimate, ongoing over 7 months, includes personalized 1:1 support, and focuses specifically on the practical political and strategic realities of your first year.
Yes, your district can pay for this program.
Many districts will have board funds that are allocated for professional development, conferences, etc. This is a great use of those dollar, and your district will appreciate that you’re taking the initiative to serve your community better.
Other ways to pay for this would be from personal funds, grants, or campaign dollars.
We provide receipts and documentation for reimbursement.
SBAE members and affiliates receive a standard discount. If you’d like to know more about SBAE or the discount, please email me: [email protected].
Are You Ready?
You were elected to make a difference. Don’t waste the next three years trying to figure out how district governance actually works.
Join the December cohort. Get the strategic knowledge, practical tools, and trusted guidance you need to be effective from day one.
This cohort is intentionally small—limited to 18 board members—to ensure meaningful discussion and personalized attention.
The December 2025 cohort begins Dec 16th. Registration closes Dec 12th or when the cohort fills, whichever comes first.