CLSBA Unity 2026

Strong governance requires more than policy adoption—it requires meaningful impact. This session highlights how boards and leadership teams work in partnership with their communities to align policy, practice, and resources to improve student outcomes. Participants will explore real examples of increased graduation rates, reduced absenteeism, and strengthened family engagement, demonstrating how community-centered leadership drives measurable and sustainable results.

The transition from elementary to middle school is a pivotal moment in a student's educational journey. Camino al Éxito (Path to Success) is a cross-age mentoring program designed to support fifth-grade students by connecting them with trained high school mentors who provide guidance, encouragement, and a sense of belonging. Through meaningful relationships, interactive activities, and exposure to their future school community, students develop the confidence and skills needed to navigate this important transition successfully.
What You Can ExpectParticipants will:

• Learn how to design and implement a cross-age mentoring program that supports students during key school transitions.
• Explore strategies for fostering belonging, confidence, and positive peer relationships.
• Review program structure, mentor training, and implementation timelines.
• Examine pre- and post-program data demonstrating the program's impact on student confidence and school connectedness.
• Hear lessons learned, best practices, and recommendations for sustaining and expanding the program.
• Leave with practical tools and resources that can be adapted to support student transition efforts in their own schools or districts.

Latino school board members and governance teams are uniquely positioned to lead on one of the most urgent issues facing California schools: building and sustaining a fully prepared, diverse educator workforce that reflects and serves our students and communities.

This session centers a board resolution toolkit informed by real examples from California districts, highlighting how local leaders are advancing innovative solutions. To support effective use of the toolkit, participants will reflect on statewide workforce data trends and research and consider the role of school boards and governing teams in aligning policy, budget, and accountability to strengthen educator recruitment and retention.

Participants will engage directly with key questions: How can school boards use resolutions to drive meaningful change in educator workforce outcomes? What does it look like to align policy, investment, and accountability to recruit and retain a fully prepared, diverse educator workforce?

Participants will engage in reflection and small group activities to adapt sample language, identify next steps, and plan for local action. Participants will leave with practical tools, sample language, and a clearer action plan to move from commitment to action.